The River goalkeeper has played in 14 Superclásicos, with a more than positive record, including two titles and several unforgettable saves.
Since his arrival in Núñez, Franco Armani quickly earned the bow of River and the confidence of both his teammates and Marcelo Gallardo (and now Martín Demichelis). Although he knew how to maintain an unquestionable regularity during his four and a half years at the club, the truth is that the first, 2018, was essential in pocketing everyone. The reason? His standout achievements in the game that matters most to fans: against the Superclasico Mouth.
Casilda’s husband came to fourteen collisions against the eternal rival of the millionaire, with more than positive numbers. However, the first fourwhich took place in his first year in the river arc marked him with fire.
On March 14, 2018, in what marked only his eighth game with the River Plate diver, Armani started writing his separate story against Xeneize. River won the final of the Argentine Super Cup 2-0 thanks to goals from Pity Martínez and Nacho Scocco, but especially thanks to the saves of ex-Atlético Nacional, who was the big figure of the evening and won his first title with the team in the guard dragged Galant.
Six months later, Armani was again instrumental in another 2-0 victory for the Millionaire over Boca, this time at La Bombonera and for the sixth day of the Professional League. But the best for the goalkeeper and for all of River was yet to come. In November again as a visitor, but now no less than inside the first leg of the 2018 Copa Libertadores, the remembered last-minute save against Darío Benedetto to hold onto the 2–2 tie. And in Madridanother historic night to finish 3-1 and achieve maximum glory.
Until the 1-0 at the Monumental on March 20, 2022, his only defeat in regular time against Boca, it was in the rematch for the 2019 Libertadores semi-final; in La Bombonera, the local won with the minimum, but it wasn’t enough to eliminate River, who qualified for another final thanks to the win over the Monumental. However, the no-elimination streak against Xeneize that Armani had (he could not have been at the crossroads for the Professional League Cup due to his illness from the coronavirus) was cut short the super classic played in August 2021 in La Plata, for the round of 16 of the Argentine Cup: after a draw without emotions, on penalties, the 1 could not do anything to prevent the fall of Gallardo’s men.
The last game between the world champion and Xeneize was the painful 1-0 at the Más Monumental, on the 15th date of the Binance 2023 tournament. Miguel Borja’s painful goal stretched the goalkeeper’s paternity.
In total he has played fourteen official Superclassics: they won six, drew five, lost three and conceded ten goals.
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All Armani Super Classics:
14-03-2018 | Argentine Super Cup Final | Mouth 0-2 River
9/23/2018 | Argentine Professional League | Mouth 0-2 River
11-11-2018 | Copa Libertadores 1st leg final | Mouth 2-2 river
12/09/2018 | Copa Libertadores 2nd leg final | River 3-1 mouth
01-09-2019 | Argentine Professional League | River 0-0 Mouth
10/01/2019 | Copa Libertadores semi-final first leg | River 2-0 mouth
22-10-2019 | Copa Libertadores semi-final return | Mouth 1-0 River
01/02/2021 | Argentine Professional League | Mouth 2-2 river
14-03-2021 | Argentine Professional League | Mouth 1-1 River
08/04/2021 | Round of 16 Argentine Cup | Mouth 0-0 (4-1) River
10/03/2021 | Professional League Tournament | River 2-1 mouth
20-03-2022 | Professional League Cup | River 0-1 Mouth
09/11/2022 | Professional League Tournament | Mouth 1-0 River
05/07/2023 | Professional League Tournament | River 1-0 mouth
Source: Goal