Clash Matters for Boca Juniors as Libertadores Dream Frays into Domestic Focus
Even with the Copa Libertadores remaining Boca Juniors’ main ambition, the club intends not to lose sight of the national league and will push to reach the quarterfinals in that tournament as well.
Inside the club, there is a calm sense that no one should overthink the Libertadores semi-final tie against Palmeiras. The team keeps a steady eye on continuing in the competition, yet there is a palpable eagerness to lift the Argentine Cup for a fourth time since the competition resumed. The balance between continental glory and domestic success is a constant talking point among players, staff, and leadership as the season progresses.
In the Round of 16, Boca faces Almagro, a squad positioned lower in Zone A of the Primera Nacional, where the risk of relegation lingers. The match is scheduled for Sunday, September 10, starting at 5:30 p.m. local time, at the Carlos Augusto Mercado Luna Stadium in La Rioja. It is a fixture that tests Boca’s depth and their ability to translate potential into results during a demanding run of fixtures.
THE MOUTH’S FOCUS
Following an unexpected defeat to Tigre, coach Jorge Almirón opted to give the squad two days off while maintaining vigilance over a packed calendar. Boca is set to play six matches in less than 30 days, a stretch that includes the Libertadores series against Palmeiras and a Superclásico. With international duties and injury concerns, the squad faces seven missing players to replace, including notable figures such as Luis Advíncula and Cristian Medina, whose absence could influence tactical choices and rotation plans.
Valentín Boat made strides toward a full recovery from a muscle injury and is increasingly likely to be available for minutes, offering the team another option in the squad’s attacking or midfield reinforcements as needed.
THE MOUTH’S LINEUP
After fielding an alternate or blended lineup in two recent league games, Almirón now faces the imperative of choosing a configuration that can withstand a direct knockout scenario. With the personnel at hand, the coach is aiming for the strongest possible XI to advance in both domestic and continental contests.
Midfield remains the key puzzle, as the absence of Advíncula and Medina will force adjustments. Barco’s role could shift, and Lucas Blondel might slot in on the right. Between Campuzano, Pol Fernández, and Equi Fernández, one player will be omitted to fit the tactical plan. A central question also centers on who will join Edinson Cavani after Benedetto’s recent injury issues, opening the door for either Warren Merentiel or Exequiel Zeballos to become the secondary attacking option alongside Cavani or as a supporting striker, depending on the formation chosen for the day.
All eyes are on how the coach will balance fresh legs with experience to maximize both the Libertadores bid and the domestic cup run, while maintaining a competitive edge for the upcoming Superclásico and the tougher stretch ahead.