The coach from Boca Juniors carries a notable history when facing the rival institution, marked by significant triumphs and tense clashes that have left a lasting imprint on both programs.
Jorge Almirón stepped into his first Super Classic as the manager of the home team and endured a 1-0 defeat at the Monumental Stadium, a loss that stings because the decisive goal came from Miguel Borja at a critical moment. Across a long coaching career in Argentine football, he has repeatedly encountered this opponent, building a narrative of relevance each time the two clubs met on the field.
In total, they have met eight times, with five defeats and three wins for Almirón’s side. Those three victories carry outsized importance: one marked his debut, another secured a domestic title, and the third earned a place in the Copa Libertadores group stage, underscoring how pivotal these clashes were in shaping his path as a coach against this rival.
The very first trip to the Monumental for Almirón came with a painful victory in a different context. During the Final Tournament of 2014, a late strike in the 93rd minute by Julio Rodríguez sealed a 2-1 win for Godoy Cruz over River Plate, then under Ramón Díaz’s leadership, a result that still echoes in discussions about the club’s resilience and the delicate margins in Argentine football where a single moment can flip the script of a season. Later, his team achieved a triumph that resonated further—Lanús defeated River Plate 3-0 in the Argentine Super Cup, a match that showcased the tactical ingenuity of Marcelo Gallardo’s opponent and the ability of Almirón to orchestrate a plan that disrupted the reigning champions in a high-stakes final.
Perhaps the most storied encounter occurred in the Copa Libertadores of 2017. In the first leg, River Plate claimed a 1-0 victory, but the second leg quickly established itself as a dramatic chapter. Within the opening minutes, the visiting side responded with urgency, and by the 25th minute, Almirón’s squad had overturned the deficit and surged ahead with four goals, turning the tie on its head and sending a powerful message about resilience and tactical adaptability in continental competition. That night is remembered not only for the scoreline but for the intense atmosphere and debates that followed among supporters and analysts, reflecting how these meetings between two giants of Argentine football can elevate the stakes and spark lasting conversations about strategy, psychology, and leadership under pressure.
In detail, every encounter between Jorge Almirón and River Plate has showcased a blend of moments—some triumphs that validated his approach, others defeats that tested the limits of his preparation and adaptability. The series of matches reveals a coach who consistently prepared his teams to seize opportunities when the circumstances demanded courage and precise execution, even when facing a club with a storied history and a reputation for depth and intensity on both domestic and international stages.
Overall, the track record between Almirón and River Plate highlights a coach who has had to navigate the pressures of facing one of Argentina’s most formidable rivalries. The eight-match ledger, with its mix of setbacks and breakthroughs, reflects a narrative of growth, learning, and strategic evolution that has accompanied his managerial journey across several top-flight clubs. Each game offered lessons on adjusting tactics, managing player psychology, and leveraging set-piece routines under the bright lights of big stadiums, reinforcing the idea that matches of this caliber are as much about preparation and mindset as they are about the immediate scoreline.