Boca Juniors is set to play its final match before the Libertadores final, with coach Almirón likely to reward most of his starters with extended minutes.
The Copa Libertadores final is the talk of the town, and the squad still has one more fixture on the calendar before traveling to Rio de Janeiro for the marquee clash. Following Tuesday’s defeat to Racing, the team finds itself almost outside the running for a top four spot in Zone B of the league, narrowing the scope of the last domestic test before the big trip.
The upcoming showdown will see Boca host Estudiantes on Saturday starting at 6 p.m., a familiar foe they also met in another high-stakes encounter later in the season during the Argentine Cup semi-finals. That match is locked in at the Bombonera and will double as a farewell moment for the home fans before the Libertadores journey begins in earnest. (Goal)
BOCA CALLS
At the Academy base, two pressing concerns loomed over the squad as players prepared to depart. The first involved Nicholas Valentini, considered a potential replacement for Rojo in the cup tie against Fluminense, while Dario Benedetto exited after a little more than 15 minutes on the field. Both are dealing with minor issues, but neither will be a factor against Estudiantes, remaining part of the travel party to Brazil. (Goal)
When the final squad is confirmed, Nicolás Figal and Marcos Rojo are cleared for return. There is some doubt from Miguel Merentiel, who took Pipa’s role and logged more minutes than originally planned, about his own status ahead of the trip. (Goal)
THE MOUTH’S FORMATION
Beyond the events in Avellaneda, Almirón also decided that the lineup for the Estudiantes match should resemble the one he envisions for the Maracaná, while Thursday’s training session served as a rehearsal for most of the starting XI. Three players were set aside: Valentini and Merentiel, who were omitted for fitness or tactical reasons, and Cristian Medina, who was given rest. Vicente Taborda stepped in as the starting forward in that scenario. (Goal)
Bruno Valdez earned another chance to start, marking his return to the XI, and Luca Langoni, who had already appeared in the second half against the Academy, was included from the outset. The provisional XI looked like this: Sergio Romero; Luis Advíncula, Nicolás Figal, Bruno Valdez, Frank Fabra; Vincente Taborda, Pol Fernández, Equi Fernandez, Valentín Barco; Luca Langoni, Edinson Cavani. (Goal)
As excitement builds toward the Libertadores final, the team remains focused on delivering a strong performance in the domestic match that doubles as a final tune-up. Fans and analysts alike are closely watching how the manager balances preparing the squad for the travel to Brazil with ensuring players stay sharp for the continental showpiece. (Goal)