The last time these two teams met, River won 3-0 which captured the 2000 Torneo Clausura title against an already relegated Ferro. Kickoff is at 3:30pm EST from San Lorenzo.
River will be the visiting team today, even though they will play their second of three straight games at San Lorenzo. A multitude is expected to accompany El Millonario this afternoon.
Matias Almeyda will make only one change with respect to last week’s starting lineup. Fernando Cavenaghi will be back in action taking Mauro Diaz’s spot. The starting eleven will be: Leandro Chichizola; Luciano Vella, Alexis Ferrero, Jonatan Maidana, Juan Manuel Díaz; Carlos Sánchez, Ezequiel Cirigliano, Lucas Ocampos; Alejandro Domínguez, Rogelio Funes Mori and Fernando Cavenaghi.
Germán Pezzella and Leandro González Pirez will be on the bench for the first time this season. They had not been named to the game day squad since returning to the club after the U-20 World Cup in August. Cristian Ledesma will also reappear on the bench while Cesar Gonzalez was left off the squad.
River is top of the table, tied with Instituto on 15 points. Ferro is only three points back and is coming off a 0-0 draw with Deportivo Merlo.
Ferro is a historic team in Argentina. Founded in 1904, the club’s golden era was the decade of the 80’s when they were perennial contenders. Under the guidance of legendary manager Carlos Griguol, they went on to win the First Division title for the first time ever in 1982 and then again in 1984. The subsequent years saw a slow decline in fortunes for the club culminating in relegation in 2000. Bankruptcy and relegation to the Primera B Metropolitana followed in 2001. In 2003 they would come back up to the B Nacional and since then have consistently been a mid table team. 2007 was their only disappointing campaign when they were forced into a playoff to avoid relegation.
Ferro, whose name translates to Western Railway, was founded by English rail workers who worked for a company of the same name. Their stadium is the oldest serving stadium among professional clubs in Argentina, though today’s game will be played at San Lorenzo. Ferro chose to move the game in order to accommodate the larger crowd that follows River Plate.
Ferro have won all three of their home games so far this season. They are one of the teams with fewest goals scored so far with 5.
The Outlook:River will try to build on a good performance last week. If they can play with the same cohesion that they did against Gimnasia, they should be able to capture another win. The dual attack of Funes Mori and Cavenaghi could be the most productive combo this season if the midfield is able to control possession. Ocampos and Dominguez will be key in sending the forwards towards goal. Cirigliano will again be the lone defensive midfielder so we should see a more offensive minded team that will benefit from the wide pitch at San Lorenzo.
