After a tough Libertadores campaign, Boca Juniors is turning its focus back to the domestic league in hopes of steadying the ship. The Bombonera, once again alive with intensity, witnessed Boca conjure two miraculous goals to overcome Pereira and snap a rough winless run. The result offered a sigh of relief for coach Jorge Almirón, who celebrated his first victory at the club and breathed a touch easier as the season presses on.
Boca’s schedule for 2023 carries on with urgency. The team cannot rest on past achievements and must sharpen its performance in the Binance Tournament 2023, where the fight for classification remains tight and every point matters. The next challenge is a visit to Central Rosary on Sunday, April 23, kicking off at 3:30 p.m. at El Master, a venue that has tested many visiting teams in recent years.
BOCA JUNIORS VS. CENTRAL ROSARY
The injury list at Boca remains sizable. In defense, red-hot progression is ongoing for the player coming back from a torn cruciate ligament, with a return anticipated in June. Frank Fabra is still sidelined as he works through a torn ligament, while Bruno Valdez is unavailable until mid-May due to a sprain. In midfield, Juan Ramirez is on a similar recovery timeline, expected back after two more weeks. Up front, Dario Benedetto may miss the Superclásico if a right hamstring issue persists, while Luca Langoni appears likely to return within a week.
Beyond the confirmed absences, the surprise inclusion on the injury list was the knee discomfort affecting Exequiel Zeballos, drawing attention from fans and staff alike as the squad irons out its rotations ahead of this critical match.
THE TACTICAL SETUP FOR BOCA JUNIORS AGAINST CENTRAL ROSARY
Coach Almirón has repeatedly emphasized his desire to preserve the core group of regular starters, believing the players can confidently perform every three days if given the right rest and rotation. While a broader squad was tested during the week, the tactical plan in the final training session again highlighted several familiar faces, including Figal, Barco, Payero and Villa, who remained central to the coach’s thinking.
During Saturday’s session, the starting XI looked like this: Sergio Romero; Lisandro López, Jorge Figal, Nicolás Valentini and Valentín Barco; Guillermo Fernández, Alan Varela, Óscar Romero and Martín Payero; Sebastián Villa and Miguel Merentiel. This arrangement reflects the manager’s intent to balance experience with form as the team navigates a demanding schedule.