The Barracas Central striker, Gonzalo Morales, who came up through Boca's youth divisions, sparked controversy before the clash against River in the Round of 16 of the Liga Profesional's Apertura Tournament by expressing his ironic wish to return to the Monumental. Morales' statement did not go unnoticed, provoking reactions both from Boca fans who celebrated it on social media, and from River fans who considered it a provocation, anticipating a highly tense match.
Nicknamed "the Bull" for his physical strength, 22-year-old Morales is on loan at Barracas Central, although his rights still belong to Boca. Despite not having started in the last victory against Huracán, the player came on in the second half and is seen as an offensive option for the upcoming match at the Monumental.
Gonzalo Morales had a prior stint at Unión de Santa Fe, where he scored nine goals in 43 matches, before joining the team coached by Rubén Darío Insúa. Despite being in search of a solidified position on the team, Morales has accumulated 13 matches and one goal. A decisive goal against Gimnasia La Plata in 2022 during the championship race positioned him as an offensive promise for Boca, despite his ironic comment about returning to the Monumental. "It’s kind of cold there, but we’ll see what happens," concluded the striker.
The upcoming match between River and Barracas Central, scheduled for Monday at 8:30 PM, will determine which team advances to the quarter-finals of the Liga Profesional's Apertura Tournament, promising a rivalry-laden encounter full of expectations.
