The mutation of Boca since his last visit to the Corinthians: another scheme and eight different names

Once again face to face, but now in a heads up that will define which of the two will access the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores. Like two months ago, Boca Juniors and Corinthians meet again in Sao Paulo, but Sebastián Battaglia’s team has changed surname, confidence and even structure, losing 2-0 in the last trip to Brazil. What has changed?

That match with a defeat that complicated things in the group stage – then ended up qualifying as leader – had Boca with a team full of amendments. It is that not even his starting goalkeeper (Agustín Rossi) could play, injured. He was replaced by Javier Garcia.

And it was quite a trend: Of the 11 starters who will take the field for the first leg of the round of 16, only three will repeat: Luis Advíncula, Óscar Romero and Pol Fernández.

In play on April 26th the central duo had young Gabriel Aranda with Carlos Zambrano at his side. Those were the dates on which the starting couple, with Carlos Izquierdoz and Marcos Rojo, were still serving disqualification due to the accidents in Belo Horizonte. Now they will return, despite not looking as solid as they showed at the end of the League Cup, the one that Boca won from back to front. And with a favorable statistic: in the last eleven heads-up games, including those two games against Atlético Mineiro in which VAR damaged Boca, they have conceded only one goal. Central Córdoba de Rosario did it in the Argentine Cup.

Pol Fernández will play again against Corinthians. But no longer as a central midfielder like that day in the group stage. Now that site will be for Alan Varela. And the former Racing will be on the right. And Oscar Romero? Even in another position, already as a left midfielder and not as a ring. Although it can be a variation during the 90 minutes if needed.

It is that only 60 days ago Battaglia was not yet clear that his favorite tactical design was the 4-3-3. Now he seems immobile, although he will not have Colombian Frank Fabra on the left wing. In place of him, except for surprise, there will be the boy Agustín Sández, despite the DT having thought of inserting Marcos Rojo in that defense sector. In the game of similarities and differences, the 1-1 draw at La Boca just a month ago will see Boca repeat 8 of the 11 surnames of a match that, with the obligation to win, proved to be far superior.

Cristian Medina, Eduardo Salvio and Luis Vazquez These are the three surnames that were the headlines in the match in Brazil against Corinthians. And now the three will be on the bench as an alternative, albeit with different scenarios.

The young midfielder now awaits his chance behind Pol, but it is the first variant within reach. Vázquez will be Darío Pipa Benedetto, the team’s center forward. And for Salvio, who will not continue in the club but who nevertheless traveled with the delegationSebastian Villa will appear.

The coffee farmer will thus be able to play his first Libertadores game this year after completing the 6 penalty dates that have been applied to him. Exequiel Zeballos also earned a starting spot today Totòwho will end up emigrating to Mexico for not accepting the club’s economic proposal to extend his relationship.

Without the away goal having any influence but with the appearance of the VAR from this instance in the Cup, the temperament was a term that Battaglia was referring to in the last few hours. And it has to do with taking on critical moments of the game without falling into aggression that could harm the team. It’s something the DT has focused on and has had both crosses against Corinthians with several episodes and crosses, as well as so as not to repeat that gambling passivity he had on that visit to the San Pablo. It is that, despite the changes of scheme and names, the first game of a decisive heads-up is coming. Boca’s roadmap in this very complex Libertadores starts with an old acquaintance.

Eleven who thinks Battle

They are not confirmed yet, but if there are no surprises, these will be the eleven that Battaglia will wear at the Neo Química Arena: Agustín Rossi; Luis Advincula, Carlos Izquierdoz, Marcos Rojo, Agustín Sández; Guillermo Fernandez, Alan Varela, Oscar Romero; Exequiel Zeballos, Dario Benedetto, Sebastian Villa.