Boca Juniors vs Newell's Old Boys
Football: Copa Libertadores
Match date: May 24, 2013 Kick Off Time: 1:30 AM BST
Venue: Estadio Alberto Jacinto Armando - Ciudad de Buenos Aires
Referee: M. Vigliano
Venue: Estadio Alberto Jacinto Armando - Ciudad de Buenos Aires
Referee: M. Vigliano
Boca Juniors are one of the powerhouses of Argentina
and indeed South American football. With 30 league titles to their name,
as well as 6 Copa Libertadores and 3 Intercontinental titles too. Boca
were beaten finalists in last year’s edition, going down in a fierce
battle with Corinthians. This season has been a disaster on a league
front with Boca currently 18th from 20 teams with 2 wins, 7
draws and 5 defeats. They are safe from relegation (for now) under the
countries complex three season aggregates ruling. In Copa Libertadores
they have 4 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats so far. They had a relatively
straight forward group but struggled to dominate Nacional, Toluca and
Barcelona, scraping though by 1 point. In last 16 knockout they were
drawn against last year’s winners Corinthians again and no one outside
of Buenos Aires predicted a Boca victory. However La Bombonera was
rocking and they prevailed at home 1-0. In Brazil they were then
expected to capitulate but with a game plan and a solid performance they
matched Corinthians. A goal from returning hero Juan Riquelme from
about 40 yards summed up the performance and Boca prevailed. Legendary
coach Carlos Bianchi is back for a third spell and the belief in the
club and fans is so high they could do it, even without a side anywhere
near what they are used to.
Newells Old Boys have experienced success in Argentina
but not to the levels of the bigger sides. 5 national titles is all
they have to show for it but they hope to change that this year. They
are having a spectacular season and could go all the way in the league
and here in Copa Libertadores. Playing entertaining, attacking football
they sit at the top of Torneo Final after 14 games. With a record of 9
wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats the only thing stopping them from succeeding
is the difficulty of fighting on two fronts. Newell’s have struggled a
little in the league over the last month or so as they try and balance
the two competitions. In Ignacio Scocco they have a striker capable of
anything and his scoring rate is sensational. They have quality in all
areas and the aggressive defender Gabrial Heinz is marshalling the
defence, the backline is probably their main weak point as they do tend
to concede. So far in Copa Lib this season its been a bit hit and miss
for the side from Rosario with 4 wins and 4 defeats so far. They had a
similar tie in the last round with another all Argentine affair this
time with struggling Velez, it was a close tie but Newells went through
on away goals.
Possible line-ups:
Boca Juniors: Agustín Orión, Leandro Marín, Matías Caruzzo, Guillermo Burdisso, Clemente Rodríguez, Cristian Erbes, Leandro Somoza, Walter Erviti, Juan Román Riquelme, Juan Manuel Martínez y Nicolás Blandi.
DT: Carlos Bianchi
Newell’s Old Boys: Nahuel Guzmán, Marcos Cáceres, Santiago Vergini, Gabriel Heinze, Milton Casco, Pablo Pérez, Diego Mateo, Rinaldo Cruzado, Víctor Figueroa, Ignacio Scocco y Maxi Rodríguez.
DT: Gerardo Martino
Possible line-ups:
Boca Juniors: Agustín Orión, Leandro Marín, Matías Caruzzo, Guillermo Burdisso, Clemente Rodríguez, Cristian Erbes, Leandro Somoza, Walter Erviti, Juan Román Riquelme, Juan Manuel Martínez y Nicolás Blandi.
DT: Carlos Bianchi
Newell’s Old Boys: Nahuel Guzmán, Marcos Cáceres, Santiago Vergini, Gabriel Heinze, Milton Casco, Pablo Pérez, Diego Mateo, Rinaldo Cruzado, Víctor Figueroa, Ignacio Scocco y Maxi Rodríguez.
DT: Gerardo Martino