If Boca had not played at the beginning of the month, the Copa Libertadores final against Palmeiras, It could well be stated that this Wednesday’s match from 9:10 p.m. against Estudiantes de La Plata for the semifinals of the Argentine Cup at the Mario Kempes stadium in Córdoba, it is the most important of the year for the xeneizes.
To reach the definition of this Cup against the winner of Thursday’s match on the Lanús field between San Lorenzo and Defensa y Justicia and strengthen their chances of qualifying for the 2024 Copa Libertadores, Boca must win in the ninety minutes or in the series of kicks from the penalty spot. If they lose in any instance, they will be eliminated and next year they will only play in the Copa Sudamericana. a competition that for the leaders and fans of Boca means little and does not even serve as a consolation prize.
The match that will be refereed by Yael Falcón Pérez and televised by TyC Sports generated enormous expectations and it is expected that the Kempes stadium is full or almost full and with a lot of atmosphere in the stands. There will be fans of both teams in the stands and also a lot of people from Cordoba. Boca won the 1969, 2012, 2015 and 2020 editions, while Estudiantes never won the competition nor did they play in a final. But its situation in the annual table is somewhat more comfortable than that of Boca.
In a very bad season in which he was never the protagonist of the local tournaments (Professional League and League Cup), and lost the final of the Copa Libertadores against Fluminense in Rio de Janeiro, Boca will take over this semi-final of the Argentine Cup with an interim coach as Mariano Herron in place of the resigner Jorge Almirón.
In that context, Herrón will put the best available, with the return to the defense of captain Marcos Rojo instead of Nicolás Valentini and the presences of Ezekiel Bullaude by Christian Medinapoor performance in the last games, and Lucas Johnson for the injured Edinson Cavani to accompany Boca’s best striker during the year in the offensive: the oriental Miguel Merentiel. Another Uruguayan, Marcelo Saracchi, will continue as starter on the left side instead of the Colombian Frank Fabra.
Its rival, Estudiantes de La Plata, recovered one of its figures, Jose Sosawho will share the creation of the game with Benjamin Rollheiser. But you won’t have to Luciano Lollo in Santiago Ascacibar, out due to injuries for a few weeks. In the attack, it will continue Guido Carrillo and will be substitute Mauro Boselliwho will retire when the season concludes next month.
The post first appeared on www.pagina12.com.ar