Boca Juniors and River Plate, the twin giants of domestic football, are heading into the Apertura tournament with a much-needed fresh start.
The opening round of Argentina’s top-flight season, which gets underway Thursday, is an opportunity for both sides to reinvent themselves and rediscover the road to success after a trophyless 2025.
Neither the Xeneize nor the Millonario managed to lift any of the many trophies up for grabs last year. Only Boca won some scant consolation, at least securing qualification for the 2026 Copa Libertadores.
River, by contrast, had to settle for a place in the Copa Sudamericana. It is the first time in 12 years that they will not compete in the continent’s premier competition.
The urgency for results continues to loom over both clubs, including Marcelo Gallardo, the most successful manager in River’s history. He won 14 titles during his first spell in charge of the Millonario, but none so far since his return in August 2024.
‘El Muñeco,’ however, has struck an optimistic note ahead of the season’s kick off.
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