Vélez-River opens a courageous series: from the farewell of Julián Álvarez to the condition for the arrival of Luis Suárez

River will start a series of cups that she won’t be one more in her life. Is that in addition to continuing in the Copa Libertadores, this match against Vélez can depending on the arrival of Luis Suárez. If Marcelo Gallardo’s team beats his student’s, Cacique Medinathe arrival of the Gunslinger could materialize to play the last leg of the continental tournament.

And on the other hand, these matches will also be marked as Julián Álvarez’s last performances with the River shirt, since Cordovan will go to Manchester City after the return match.

In any case, Gallardo does not want to think further. And he focused on the series with Vélez, which he called behind closed doors “very brave” for that plus that the Argentine teams have for this type of cross. Thereforewill try to deactivate the pressure cooker which can be generated around the possible arrival of Suárez.

Another issue that makes these matches spicier is the knowledge that exists between Argentine teams. And much more when two technicians who are related to each other face each other and one knows how to deal with the other. Gallardo and Medina have maintained a bond since Bambola was coach of Cacique in the Uruguay national team.

Medina gave him a headache when he beat Talleres at the Monumental three years ago. But Muñeco took their revenge last year when their team beat the Cordoba side by playing with one less for most of the game. That 2-0 win at Kempes allowed River to move closer to the title – which he later won – in the Professional League.

It will not be the only crossing of the night at the José Amalfitani where the spotlights will turn on. Also to Luca Pratt. The “Bear” will play against River e morbidity will be present. For the memory left by the forward, key in the conquest of the Copa Libertadores that Núñez’s team beat Boca in Madrid and much loved by the fans of the “Millionaire”. And also because his relationship with Gallardo did not end well.

And while River waits for Suárez after the round of 16, if he can beat Vélez, in Liniers they wait Diego Godin. The Uruguayan center scorer, brand new reinforcement, it won’t be from the start due to tendonitis and hope he can arrive in prime condition for Núñez’s rematch next week.

Vélez and River will meet again for the Copa Libertadores as it has already happened three more times. The first, in 1980, in which they shared the group stage and Liniers’ team eliminated Núñez’s team in a playoff match to define the only one who made it to the next round. They had drawn the two games 0-0 and finished the first two with 10 points in the group that they shared with Sporting Cristal and Atlético Chalaco from Peru. And in the decisive match they drew again (1 to 1) and Vélez qualified with a better goal difference.

In 1995 they met in the quarter-finals, in a duel that marked Ramón Díaz’s debut as River manager. Both games drew (the 1-1 first leg at Monumental and the 0-0 second leg at Liniers) and Núñez’s side progressed to the semi-finals by winning 5-3 on penalties.

The last was in 1999. Also for the quarter-finals. River won the first leg 2-0 at Monumental and despite losing 1-0 in the second leg, they made it through the stage. In that same edition of the Libertadores, they met in the group stage and drew the two games 1-1.

This Wednesday night will begin a new story between Vélez and River. With a crossover that could be relevant for the future.