One of the greatest rivalries in football will reach new heights when Boca Juniors and River Plate meet in a Superclasico Copa Libertadores final for the first time.
Boca will begin their bid to win South America's premier club competition for a record-equalling seventh time against their most fierce rivals at La Bombonera on Saturday.
However, River have won each of their last three appearances in the Libertadores final – most recently in 2015, which was also masterminded by head coach Marcelo Gallardo.
1 - and will meet in a Copa final for the first time ever. Unbeatable. November 1, 2018
THE TEAMS
- Boca and River have met 24 times in the Libertadores; the Xeneizes have won 10 and the Millonarios have triumphed in seven.
- It will be the 11th Libertadores final Boca have featured in – more than any other side, moving them clear of Penarol's 10 appearances.
- Boca have never lost the first leg of a Libertadores final played at La Bombonera, winning three (against Cruzeiro, Santos and Gremio) and drawing three (against Palmeiras, Once Caldas and Corinthians).
- Both teams have won six, drawn five and lost one of their 12 games in this year's competition.
¡Así fue el camino de rumbo a la final de la ! Marcó 21 goles en 12 partidos para alcanzar la definición y jugar contra .¿Cuál te pareció el mejor? November 4, 2018
THE STATS
- In the past five Superclasicos in all competitions, the team with the greater share of possession lost the match (three wins for River, two for Boca).
- Boca have attempted seven shots more than River in this year's Libertadores (155 to 148), but River have had one more on target (52 to 51).
- Guillermo Barros Schelotto's side have a higher passing accuracy (79.9 per cent) and average possession (53.4 per cent) than River (74.6 per cent and 52 per cent) in this year's Libertadores.
- Boca have outscored River by seven in the first half of matches in the 2018 edition, but both have 10 in second periods.
¡Así fue el camino de a la final de la ! Marcó 14 goles en 12 partidos para alcanzar la definición y jugar contra .¿Cuál te pareció el mejor? November 5, 2018
THE PLAYERS
- Cristian Pavon has been involved in more goals (eight – three goals, five assists) and more shots (50 – 32 attempted, 18 chances created) than any player on either team in this year's Libertadores.
- Boca captain Pablo Perez has made more recoveries (99) than any other player in the competition.
- River striker Lucas Pratto has been involved in (125) and won (65) the most aerial duels in this year's Libertadores.
- Gonzalo Martinez has been involved in three of the last four goals scored by Gallardo's men against Boca in all competitions, scoring two and assisting one.
15 - recovered 15 balls against , the second highest for a player in the First Division since 2013 (16 Frank Fabra in September 2017 against Vélez Sarsfield). Pac-man. November 4, 2018
