While suffering from Cardona’s rudeness, Boca is about to close two hierarchy reinforcements

(@bocajrsoficial)
(@bocajrsoficial)

The countdown came to an end. Mouth will play the first clash of round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores this tuesday in the Candy box. Your rival will be Athletic Mineiro, the fearsome Brazilian team that finished with the best performance in the initial phase of the continental competition.

With many and varied casualties, Miguel Ángel Russo may have four new faces: Marcelo Weigandt, who returned from his loan at Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata, Esteban Rolón, Hurricane free, Norberto Briasco, bought from the Globe, and Nicolás Orsini, from Lanús. The first three have great chances of being a starter against Gaul.

Coach you will not be able to count on Agustín Almendra, who suffered a left ankle injury in the last friendly against Sarmiento, nor with the Colombians Edwin Cardona and Frank Fabra, Who They returned to their country after participating in the Copa América in Brazil.

However, there are differences in both cases. While the defender was given leave for the death of his father and will miss both matches of the Copa Libertadores, the offensive midfielder rejected a charter sent by Boca to arrive in optimal conditions and don’t break the bubble of the sanitary corridor organized by Conmebol. In this way, Cardona will also miss both games against Mineiro.

Cardona at a party in Medellín before returning to Boca

Edwin’s situation got even worse with a viral video in which he is seen at a welcome party with family and friends. And the information was added in the last hours about the request for more days for the vacations that he could not enjoy because he had participated in the Copa América.

In Boca there is disgust because they understand that Cardona failed the leadership, that he could have denied his participation in said contest because the request of the Colombian Soccer Federation had been out of date. In addition, because despite the criticism he received, especially in the definition by penalties for stinging his against the youth goalkeeper of River who stopped him, Juan Román Riquelme was one of the few who came out to support him and even suggested that the shirt number 10 that Tevez vacated was going to be for him.

It is not yet known for sure what will happen to Edwin, that when he returns to the country he must comply with the 10 days of quarantine due to the restrictions that apply in the country due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The player Luis Advíncula. EFE / Franklin Jácome POOL / Archive
The player Luis Advíncula. EFE / Franklin Jácome POOL / Archive

In the middle of this stage, the Football Council is about to close two incorporations highly sought after. Its about Peruvian Luis Advíncula and Colombian Miguel Borja, for whom the negotiations have advanced greatly.

In the case of right back of Rayo Vallecano, between clubs there is agreement –Boca would pay 2.5 million dollars– and also with the player, who in the next few days will end his vacation and start the trip to Argentina to undergo a medical check-up and sign his contract.

While, from the front who had a great performance in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores with Junior de Barranquilla, and is the top gunner so far in the contest together with Gabigol (Flamengo), Hulk (Atlético Mineiro) and Rony (Palmeiras), for the moment there is agreement between clubs.

Miguel Borja celebrates a goal with Junior against River Plate for the Copa Libertadores (REUTERS / Natacha Pisarenko - HP1EH4T05B78W)
Miguel Borja celebrates a goal with Junior against River Plate for the Copa Libertadores (REUTERS / Natacha Pisarenko – HP1EH4T05B78W)

After fulfilling his loan with the coffee team, Borja returned to the Palmeiras club that owns his file. However, the Verdao informed you that it will not be taken into account and it did not inscribe it in the list of the Copa Libertadores. In this sense, Mouth advanced with the Brazilian team and agreed to purchase half of his pass for about $ 4 million. The most complex remains, agreeing on the footballer’s salary.

In both cases, the players will not be able to play the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, since they were not registered in the new list in good faith. Starting in the quarterfinals, if Boca manages to overcome Atlético Mineiro, both will be added to the roster.

Facing this momentous match, and without the Carlos Tevez emblem, who announced his departure from Boca after the defeat against Racing in the La Liga Cup semifinal, goalkeeper Esteban Andrada and the full-back will not be part of this new cycle either. midfielder Nicolás Capaldo for his respective transfers to Mexico (Monterrey) and Austria (Red Bull Salzburg), in addition to the dismissal of Mauro Zárate, Julio Buffarini, Leonardo Jara, Emmanuel Mas and Franco Soldano.

Regarding the aforementioned defeat (1-0) against Racing, Boca will present eight changes and a new tactical scheme. Only the goalkeeper Agustín Rossi, who definitively took over the title, Carlos Izquierdoz and Sebastián Villa remain as starters. In defense, Marcos Rojo will form the central defense with Izquierdoz and on the wings will enter Weigandt and the youth Agustín Sández, who will play his second game as a starter in the Copa Libertadores. Carlos Zambrano (in doubt due to a feverish situation), Capaldo and Fabra leave the team.

Boca concentrates to receive Atlético Mineiro for the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores
Boca concentrates to receive Atlético Mineiro for the knockout stages of the Copa Libertadores

The new midfield will feature Diego “Pulpo” González, who won the position due to Almendra’s injury, the debutant Esteban Rolón for Alan Varela and the youth Cristian Medina for the Colombian Jorman Campuzano. Briasco’s debut will be like the brand new center-forward “xeneize” and the attack front will be completed by Colombian Villa and Pavón, who despite receiving offers will start in the absence of Cardona.

Atlético Mineiro will be a tough opponent as they finished first in group H with 16 points (five wins and one draw) and arrived with a lot of shooting. Since the group stage ended, the team led by Cuca, the coach who eliminated Boca at the helm of Santos in the last edition, has played thirteen games between the Brazilian championship and the Brazilian Cup. In the “Brasileirao” he is third with 22 points, three behind Palmeiras, after four wins in a row.

The midfielder Ignacio “Nacho” Fernández, former River Plate, traveled with the delegation despite the muscle injury he suffered a week ago and could be a starter. If he does not arrive, his place will be taken by the other Argentine on the squad, Matías Zaracho. Mineiro, who also has other experienced players such as the Paraguayan Junior Alonso, former Boca, and the forward Hulk, was champion of the 2013 edition and never again managed to pass the round of 16 being eliminated consecutively in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Probable formations:

Boca Juniors: Agustín Rossi; Marcelo Weigandt, Carlos Izquierdoz, Marcos Rojo and Agustín Sandez; Diego González, Esteban Rolón and Cristian Medina; Sebastián Villa, Norberto Briasco and Cristian Pavón. DT: Miguel Ángel Russo.

Atlético Mineiro: Éverson; Tché Tché, Réver, Junior Alonso and Igor Rabelo; Mariano; Allan, Jair and Matías Zaracho or Ignacio Fernández; Hulk and Savarino. DT: Cuca.

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