After a painful setback in the Libertadores final against Fluminense, Boca Juniors returns to domestic play under an interim coach, facing a season that still holds opportunities alongside lingering uncertainties.
The dream of a seventh Libertadores Cup faded in the cruellest fashion, as Boca failed to secure victory against Fluminense and bowed out after extra time. The outcome also prompted Jorge Almirón to step away from technical duties, paving the way for Mariano Herrón to lead the squad for the remainder of 2023.
WHAT BOCA SHOULD CLASSIFY FOR THE 2024 LIBERTADORES CUP
While their playoff chances in the Primera División remain slim, with Boca trailing by seven points behind Racing and a cluster of teams in the middle, a path still exists to secure a berth in the 2024 Libertadores through the annual table. At the same time, the squad is focusing its efforts on winning domestic cups as a priority, keeping the Libertadores dream alive if the league results align.
For now, the immediate challenge after the Maracanã visit is a high-stakes clash against San Lorenzo at the Estadio Nuevo Gasómetro, scheduled for Wednesday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m. local time.
BOCA CALLS
Returning from Rio de Janeiro, Boca resumed training on Monday afternoon under the guidance of Mariano Herrón, who had already signaled that plans were being adjusted. The team’s routine sessions were restorative in nature, and while it was anticipated that a full list of players would be released on Tuesday, updates arrived on Monday evening.
A notable absence is Frank Fabra, sidelined by knee discomfort, with the mood also darkened by the late first extra-time red card that reduced the team to ten men. Marcos Rojo remains out with a muscle injury, Equi Fernández is dealing with calf pain, and Anselmino, Saralegui, and Vicente Taborda were also left out of the squad.
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THE FORMATION OF THE MOUTH
Herrón faces a tight 24-hour window to decide whether to preserve the core that played in the final or revert to a familiar substitute lineup. The decision looms after Tuesday morning training, with Fabra and Equi Fernández ruled out due to injuries, likely yielding at least two tactical variants for the match plan.
Note: This update reflects public club communications and post-match assessments reported by Goal and other outlets, summarized for clarity and context in this article.