Boca and Newell’s are united by a rich history, with high quality meetings and strong emotions. Surely, the most remembered of the last 50 years are that 1986 Pre-Libertadores League in which Xeneize beat 4-1 in Rosario and came back from 0-3 on aggregate, and the definition of the 90/91 season (the only one in which the winners of the Apertura and Clausura were not automatically consecrated), in which the leprosy team, led by Marcelo Bielsa, won on penalties in the Bombonera, was crowned champion and extended that endless Xeneize drought for a few more months Olympics. And one more: before Newell’s, Carlos Bianchi directed his last game as coach in the Copa Libertadores: It was in the quarterfinals of the 2013 edition in which Boca fell after a long penalty shootout against the team led by Gerardo Martino.
Without an Olympic return in between, but with the effervescence that generates the decisive, both teams will meet this Saturday from 5 p.m. at the Coloso. The scenario is the following: With 22 points, Newell’s occupies third place in the Zone B standings of the League Cup. While, Boca appears fifth, with 19 units, but with the no small detail that he still must complete the 63 minutes that were left in the match against Estudiantes, when Javier Altamirano’s decompensation stopped the actions in La Plata.
A local victory will complicate Xeneize’s chances, and that is one of the reasons why coach Diego Martínez prioritized this match and that is why he chose to travel to Bolivia and present an alternative team against Nacional Potosí. Beyond the pending match with Pincha, Boca cannot lose in Rosario.
The blue and gold journey had a delay on its return to Sucre that partially altered the plans. Lautaro Di Lollo was one of those chosen to undergo the anti-doping control and since it took him longer than necessary to urinate, After two and a half hours of waiting, the team returned without him, who joined later.
Shortly after landing in Ezeiza, Those who played at 3900 meters were released, while those who did not travel trained under the orders of the coach.. Precisely so that he was present, the practice modified the usual training schedule (in the morning) and did it in the afternoon shift. Nicolás Figal and Luis Advíncula, recovered respectively from a sprained knee and a fever, they worked alongside the group and could be part of the game.
In this context, Boca will go to Coloso Marcelo Bielsa with a confirmed return and a significant loss. After almost two months, Pol Fernández is available and will once again occupy a place in the starting team after a complicated injury (“high sprain in the right ankle”). Who will come out is Jabes Saralegui, one of the young people spoiled by Martínez. But in addition, Edinson Cavani, who had ignited all the alarms when he was replaced at halftime against San Lorenzo. The official medical report generated relief when talking about “overload” and not from a muscle injury, but the Uruguayan was also left out of the roster as a precaution.
At the same time, the superb performance of Leandro Brey in Potosí (He had key saves that allowed Boca to keep his undefeated record) They catapult him to remain among the 11. With Sergio Romero not discharged, today the 22-year-old boy wins the fight against Javier García, who would go to the bench.
The other two positions that the coach must define are in the back and in the attack. Marcos Rojo will be accompanied by Figal or Cristian Lema, while the offensive duo will come from the trident composed of Miguel Merentiel, Darío Benedetto and Luca Langoni.
Lucas Blondel will have a prolonged inactivity after spraining his right knee with torn cruciate ligaments who suffered against San Lorenzo.
So things are, Boca’s probable formation to face the momentous match against Newell’s will be the following: Leandro Brey; Luis Advincula, Nicholas Figal or Christian Lema, Red Mark, White Lautaro; Paul Fernandez, Christian Medina, Equi Fernandez, Kevin Zenon; Darius Benedetto and Miguel Merentiel and Luca Langoni.
Banega’s return
On Newell’s side, Ever Banega is ready to return after completing the two suspension dates for his expulsion against Godoy Cruz. It will not be just another game, since will face Boca, a club where he started professionally in 2007 (he played 44 games and was champion of the Libertadores) and with whom flirted with returning earlier this year.
It is worth remembering that after weeks of negotiations, the midfielder himself, at the conference where he was presented, explained the reason for his decision to choose Newell’s over Boca.
“It was something I always wanted: to play here, to come back… I was really looking forward to it. It is true that I have spoken with Boca, always thanking them for the interest they had in me, with Román. And well, from there, wish all the luck in the world to Boca, one of the biggest clubs in the world. Obviously they are always complicated decisions to make, especially because one was playing outside for a long time… But well, I also felt that it was time to return to my house, my city, with all the people. I return at 35 years old, with a two-year contract… You never know, but it would be nice to close my football stage here at the club.”