This week marks the conclusion of the Round of 32 of the Copa Sudamericana 2024 with the return matches, one of which will feature Boca Juniors vs. Independiente del Valle de Ecuador. The match, which continues from last week’s 0-0 draw at the Banco Guayaquil stadium in Quito, is scheduled for next Wednesday at 21:30 at La Bombonera and will be broadcast live on DSports, which can also be viewed online on the digital platform DGO. Additionally, on Canchallena, you can follow minute-by-minute updates with instant information and statistics.
In the lead-up to the match officiated by Uruguayan Andrés Matonte, the favorite to win according to betting predictions is the home team with a maximum odds of 1.80 against 5.70 for their loss, which means a victory for the visitors. The draw, which would lead to penalties, pays up to 3.90. Whoever wins the series will advance to the Round of 16 and face Cruzeiro of Brazil.
The xeneize team is competing in the international tournament repechage after finishing second in their group behind Brazil’s Fortaleza with 11 points from three wins, two draws, and one loss. Coach Diego Martínez faces the match without several key players as some are with the Argentina U23 national team for the Paris 2024 Olympics –Ezequiel Fernández, Cristian Medina and Kevin Zenón plus goalkeeper Leandro Brey-, the four new signings were not registered on time –Gary Medel, Tomás Belmonte, Brian Aguirre and Milton Giménez-; and others are injured –Nicolás Figal and Aaron Anselmino-. Added to this latest list is Marcos Rojo who has an intercostal injury, but the defender does not want to miss the game and is working against the clock to recover. Cristian Lema is the one who returned from injury and may be available, although without match fitness.
The good news for Martínez is that he will be able to count on Guillermo ‘Pol’ Fernández because he has already served his suspension, and very likely on Edinson Cavani, who was released from the squad due to an injury in the last training session before traveling to Ecuador.
The Ecuadorian team made its debut in the Copa Sudamericana in the first match against Boca after transferring from the Copa Libertadores, finishing third in Group F with seven points from two wins, one draw, and three losses. They are one of the best teams in their country and, in fact, led the First Round of the Serie A with 35 points, four more than Barcelona. Additionally, they are the reigning champions of the second most important international tournament in South America after defeating São Paulo 2-0 in the final held at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium in Córdoba. Their squad includes the great jewel of Ecuadorian football, Kendry Páez, along with several Argentinians: coach Martín Anselmi and players Guido Villar, Mateo Carabajal, Joaquín Pombo, Richard Schunke, Cristian Zabala, Michael Hoyos and Lautaro Díaz.
Before the scoreless draw in Ecuador, both clubs faced each other only once in the semifinals of the 2016 edition of the Copa Libertadores. At home, Independiente del Valle won 2-1, and a week later, they won 3-2 at La Bombonera and advanced to the final, where they were overcome by Atlético Nacional of Colombia.
The club from the Buenos Aires neighborhood of La Boca and their current rival are two of the top champions of the Copa Sudamericana with two titles each. The xeneizes were crowned consecutively in 2004 and 2005 while the Negriazul did so in 2019 and 2022. They have the same number of stars as Liga de Quito (Ecuador), Independiente, and Atlético Paranaense (Brazil).
LA NACION