Franco Armani and the Superclásicos saga at River Plate
The River Plate goalkeeper has featured in fourteen Superclásicos, boasting a notably positive record that includes two titles and a series of unforgettable saves.
Since arriving in Núñez, Franco Armani quickly earned the trust of River Plate, earning the confidence of teammates and coaches alike, including Marcelo Gallardo and later Martín Demichelis. Though he maintained remarkable consistency over four and a half years with the club, the year 2018 proved pivotal for him and the team. The standout moments came in the matches fans care about most: the clashes against Boca Juniors.
Armani, a Casilda native, faced the eternal rival in fourteen official derbies and delivered results that impressed. Yet his earliest River arc games left a fiery imprint on his reputation. On March 14, 2018, in what was only his eighth appearance for River Plate, Armani began carving out his personal chapter against the Xeneize. River won the Argentine Super Cup final 2-0, with goals from Pity Martínez and Nacho Scocco sealing the victory. More than the scorers, Armani emerged as the decisive figure, earning his first major trophy with River in a match that showcased his reflexes and composure under pressure.
Half a year later, he played a crucial role again in a 2-0 win over Boca, this time at La Bombonera during the sixth round of the Professional League. Yet the most memorable moments were still to come. In November, during the first leg of the 2018 Copa Libertadores, Armani produced a last-minute save against Darío Benedetto to secure a 2-2 draw and preserve River’s advancement. The campaign culminated in a historic night in Madrid as River secured a 3-1 victory to claim the title and lift the trophy that mattered most to the club and its fans.
A save at the right moment can define a match, and Armani’s stretch against Benedetto in that late window is remembered as such a turning point in the Libertadores journey. That save became a highlight reel moment, a symbol of the goalkeeper’s composure and instinct in a high-stakes arena. The record stands as a testament to his contributions in big games, and the celebration that followed showed how deeply those performances resonated with supporters.
Armani’s early form also intersected with key derbies that helped shape River’s narrative in that era. The 1-0 defeat in the Monumental on March 20, 2022, came in the rematch of the 2019 Libertadores semi-final. Boca won the encounter at La Bombonera, sending River home with their backs against the wall, yet the overall arc of Armani’s derby careers remained overwhelmingly favorable. A notable setback occurred in August 2021 when a Copa Argentina tie ended in penalties after a tense 1-1 draw in La Plata, marking a chapter where River could not seal the win in the cup competition, despite a strong performance that night.
The most recent chapter of the rivalry featured a tough moment for Armani in the 2023 league clash at the Más Monumental. A late goal by Miguel Borja added to the list of painful but instructive experiences in the long derby history. Through fourteen official Superclasicos, Armani has helped River win six, draw five, and lose three, while conceding ten goals in these high-profile duels. These numbers reflect a goalkeeper who has repeatedly risen to the occasion when the club needed him most.
In the records that accompany Armani’s Superclasico story, a chronological list of landmark matches briefly illustrates the arc. From the Argentine Super Cup Final on March 14, 2018, where River prevailed 2-0, to the 2019 league and Libertadores encounters, each entry marks a moment of significance. The season-by-season ledger includes multi-goal shutouts at different venues and close, tense cups that tested River’s resolve and Armani’s reflexes. These matches are part of the broader narrative of River Plate’s rivalry with Boca Juniors, a clash defined by drama, resilience, and moments of individual brilliance.
Overall, Armani’s Superclásicos reflect a goalkeeper who delivered when it mattered most. His ability to make decisive saves and stay composed under pressure solidified his role as a key figure in River Plate’s defense and a symbol of the club’s competitive spirit in one of football’s fiercest rivalries.
All Armani Super Classics: fourteen entries spanning the Argentine Super Cup, the Professional League, and the Copa Libertadores. The sequence captures the evolution of a goalkeeper who grew into a central figure in River Plate’s most storied clashes, leaving a tangible imprint on the club’s recent history.
Source: Goal