6 Players to Watch in River Plate & Boca Juniors' Continental Superclasico

Argentina's legendary Superclasico between Buenos Aires rivals River Plate and Boca Juniors is always a great date to mark on the football calendar. But 2014 has become even more special for the two eternal enemies. 

After a rain-soaked league match ended 1-1 in the Monumental, River and Boca will meet another two times before the year is out. Thursday's Bombonera clash marks the first leg of a Copa Sudamericana semi-final, and a whole nation is expecting fireworks from the two sides and their unfailingly passionate and rowdy fans. 

But who are the men to watch within the confines of the pitch? As Rodolfo Arruabarrena and Marcelo Gallardo's charges prepare for battle in the continental competition, here are five potential stars who could go down in legend if they reach their best over the next two weeks. 

Boca midfielder Gago has long been an enigma on the football pitch. Clearly capable of great things, problems with fitness and consitency held the player back during a frustrating time in Europe and continued to affect him after making his return to the Bombonera in 2013.

The current season has been much more promising. Gago has stayed away from the injury list and established himself as the heart of the Boca team, even wearing the captain's armband during Daniel Diaz's spell on the sidelines.

His passing and quality in the middle could prove the difference for Boca as the Xeneize look for a positive start to this all-important semi-final tie.

That is correct, there is a reason that the surname above sounds rather familiar. River striker Giovanni Simeone is none other than the son of Atletico Madrid coach Diego, who introduced his offspring in the famed Millonarios academy while directing at the Monumental back in 2008. 

But Gio has done very well for himself in El Cholo's absence, scoring hatfuls of goals in River's youth divisions to break into the first team. Now, an unfortunate absence for the away team could lead to Simeone starting alongside Teofilo Gutierrez in the Superclasico. 

A sudden bout of appendicitis has ruled Uruguayan Rodrigo Mora out of the game, and 19-year-old Simeone is the most likely replacement to accompany on-fire Teo in attack. Pressure will be intense for the youngster, but if he possesses even a tiny percentage of his father's famous strength of will, a hostile Bombonera should be a walk in the park. 

Tasked with stopping Simeone and Gutierrez will be the man featured tussling with the youngster in a pre-season edition of the famous derby. Daniel Diaz does not take prisoners on the pitch, and the ex-Getafe defender's return can only be a boost for Boca as they seek a famous victory on Thursday. 

Diaz provides a strength and aggression at the back that will be key against River's attacking prowess. At the other end too, his aerial ability could prove the difference at set-pieces.

Not too many people outside of Argentina will be familiar with the name Marcelo Barovero. Strange, when for the last five years the River Plate goalkeeper has arguably been the nation's best goalkeeper with a string of brilliant performances underlining his talent.

The ex-Velez Sarsfield man won two titles in Liniers, and added he another this season with River as he continued to prove his prowess. At 30, a European move may have passed Barovero by, but that does not change the fact that the goalkeeper is one of the most accomplished and consistent performers in the Primera Division.

There is nothing subtle about young striker Andres Chavez. The 23-year-old bombs up and down the pitch and is not afraid to use his ample frame to throw defenders off their game. It may not be the prettiest approach, but it certainly is effective for the former Banfield man.

An excellent 16-goal haul in the second tier last season with the Taladro convinced Boca of his potential. Chavez took a while to settle in at the Bombonera, but he is coming into his own as coach Arruabarrena focuses on quick, vertical attacking football.

With four goals in six Copa Sudamericana matches, El Negro has been vital to the club's march to the semi-finals.

The renovation of River striker Teofilo Gutierrez has been nothing short of miraculous since the Colombian arrived at the Monumental. Marked down in almost every club he had set foot in as a hot-headed troublemaker, Teo suddenly transformed into a model professional as he helped Ramon Diaz's men to the 2014 Final title in June.

Under Gallardo, the forward has only got better. With 10 goals so far in the Transicion, Teo leads the Primera Division scoring ranks alongside Racing's Gustavo Bou. He has been used more sparingly so far in the Sudamericana, but is certain to start alongside young Simeone and attempt to once more silence the Bombonera.