San Lorenzo Faces River Plate in High-Stakes Apertura Clásico

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — San Lorenzo and River Plate clashed in a highly anticipated match on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Estadio Pedro Bidegain, popularly known as Nuevo Gasómetro. The game, part of the third round of the Torneo Apertura, kicked off at 5:00 p.m. local time and was broadcast live on TNT Sports.

San Lorenzo, led by coach Miguel Ángel Russo, entered the match with a perfect record, having won their first two games of the season. River Plate, under the guidance of Marcelo Gallardo, came in with four points from their first two matches, including a dramatic last-minute victory against Instituto.

The starting lineups featured key players from both sides. San Lorenzo fielded Orlando Gill in goal, with Ezequiel Herrera, Jhohan Romaña, Daniel Herrera, and Elías Baez in defense. The midfield included Elián Irala, Nicolás Tripichio, and Malcom Braida, while Matías Reali, Ezequiel Cerutti, and Alexis Cuello led the attack. River Plate countered with Franco Armani in goal, supported by Gonzalo Montiel, Germán Pezzella, Lucas Martínez Quarta, and Paulo Díaz in defense. The midfield featured Enzo Pérez, Giuliano Galoppo, and Manuel Lanzini, with Sebastián Driussi and Miguel Borja leading the offense.

Recent history favored River Plate, who had won three of the last six encounters between the two teams, with two draws and only one victory for San Lorenzo. However, San Lorenzo’s strong start to the season and home advantage at Nuevo Gasómetro added an extra layer of intrigue to the match.

Betting odds reflected the tight contest, with River Plate slightly favored at 1.85 to 1, while a San Lorenzo victory paid out at 4.75 to 1. A draw was priced at 3.30 to 1. Key players to watch included River Plate’s Miguel Borja, who aimed to build on his preseason form, and San Lorenzo’s Andrés Vombergar, who had been instrumental in their early-season success.

The match promised to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to secure crucial points in the early stages of the Torneo Apertura. Fans could follow the action live on TNT Sports or through minute-by-minute updates on Olé’s website.