Boca have their round-of-16 rivals set for the Copa Argentina | OneFootball

Boca sealed their qualification for the Copa Argentina round of 16 and already know their next obstacle in the federal tournament. The 2-0 win over Sarmiento de Junín in Rosario not only confirmed the first team’s direction, but also set up a highly demanding clash that will capture the attention of all Argentine football: they will face Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s Vélez.

The Boca side managed to impose themselves at the Marcelo Bielsa Stadium thanks to goals from Alan Velasco and Leonel Flores. With a collective performance that improved as the match went on, Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s approach produced the expected results to get past the round of 32. In this way, the club from La Ribera keeps its hopes intact in one of the most coveted competitions of the season, as it grants a place in next year’s Libertadores.

The blue-and-gold club’s path in the current domestic tournament has been flawless in terms of results and defensive solidity. In their debut in the round of 64, the Xeneize had won by the same 2-0 scoreline against Gimnasia de Chivilcoy, now recording their second straight clean sheet. This consistency in knockout competitions is a major boost for the planning of both the board and the coaching staff.

Boca will face Vélez in the Copa Argentina round of 16.

Meanwhile, their next opponent also arrives in the next round with a highly convincing run in the competition. El Fortín from Liniers began their campaign with a 4-1 thrashing of Deportivo Armenio and then secured their place in the round of 16 by beating Gimnasia y Tiro de Salta 2-0. With both teams in great collective form, the match promises to be a tactical battle that is too close to call.

The reunion of two Boca idols

Beyond the strictly sporting side, the match will have a highly emotional ingredient that will keep the entire Boca world on edge. Vélez Sarsfield’s bench is led by Guillermo Barros Schelotto, which will bring about a historic reunion with the Vasco Arruabarrena. It is worth remembering that the Twin was precisely the man who succeeded the current Xeneize coach when his first spell in charge of the first team ended in 2016.

The reunion between the idols could happen even sooner, because they will also have to face each other in the Torneo Clausura. On matchday four of the championship, the Xeneize will host El Fortín at La Bombonera, and that match is scheduled for August 9.

Rodolfo Arruabarrena and Guillermo Barros Schelotto.

This clash between two strategists closely linked to the glory of the blue-and-gold institution has previous history in Argentine football. The two coaches have already faced each other in the past, when Arruabarrena was tactically in charge of Boca and Barros Schelotto was managing Lanús. The balance and tactical intensity of those duels promise to be repeated in this direct knockout clash.

Although the tournament organizers have not yet made official the final date or the neutral venue for the match, expectations are sky-high in La Ribera. The winner of this tie will face the winner of the clash between Racing Club and Belgrano de Córdoba in the quarterfinals.

Keep reading:

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.