River Plate's Matias Almeyda Warns Against Writing Off Boca Juniors

Despite Boca's opening day loss, River icon Matias Almeyda warned that it would be foolish to underestimate them.
River Plate legend Matias Almeyda warned against writing rivals Boca Juniors off after a heavy opening day defeat, characterising the Xeneixe as a sleeping hurricane for their rivals.

River were held to a 0-0 draw on Sunday against relegation rivals Tigre, with Almeyda continuing his excellent Apertura form to be one of the best players on the pitch. Just before kick-off Boca were walking dejectedly off the Bombonera pitch after falling 4-1 to Godoy Cruz. 'El Pelado' however insisted that the Buenos Aires giants would be back for revenge throughout the Clausura.

"I was surprised by the result, but if you look at the team they have Boca is a sleeping hurricane," the veteran midfielder clarified in Sunday's post-match interview.

The former Argentina international then turned his attention back on his own team, and stated that River must improve on a nevertheless respectable first outing of 2011.

"Whatever the rest do, we have to think about improving. Today I think we were better than Tigre, we could have got a goal and we would have been deserved winners. A point serves us well though, however it came.

"I know that we will have a battle to fight for our goals and after, if we can, we will fight among those at the top. The championship is long."