Copa Libertadores: Palmeiras 2-2 Boca Juniors (aggregate 2-4): 5 talking points and analysis

#5 Historic Copa Libertadores clash: Superclasico

Boca Juniors v River Plate - Superliga 2018/19

It doesn’t get any bigger than this! As difficult as it may be to believe, River Plate and Boca Juniors are yet to face off in the Copa Libertadores.

Boca’s scalp of Palmeiras in the semi-final and River’s victory over holders Gremio on Tuesday has paved the way for a historic two-legged Superclasico to be played in mid-to-late-November.

11 - #Boca will play their 11th Copa #Libertadores final, more than any other side in history (10, Peñarol); they have won the title six times so far (1977, 1978, 2000, 2001, 2003 y 2007). Mystic. https://t.co/bemYSLWsoe

— OptaJavier (@OptaJavier) November 1, 2018

This is also the last edition of the continental competition where the final will be played over two legs (home and away) as opposed to a single fixture at a neutral venue.

River have got the better of Boca in the two clubs’ recent meetings – in the league as well as the Supercopa Argentina finale. Schelotto’s charges will be raring to have a go at Gallardo and co in order to settle part of the score and salvage wounded pride.

The run-up to the final has seen organizer CONMEBOL in all sorts of soup with respect to handling disciplinary violations, with them falling foul of Brazilian fans as much due to the walkover for River (vs. Santos) as for inconsistent refereeing (Cruzeiro – Dede red card, River – Pity Martinez scoring with his arm).

Whatever be the past, the finalists have been chosen and the stage is all set for a mouth-watering clash between the Argentine behemoths. The ball is in their court now and in less than a month, one of them will be crowned South American champions.