Boca Juniors form analysed as Vasco await Sudamericana semi-final | OneFootball

Vasco will face Boca Juniors for a place in the Copa Sudamericana final in October, with the decider in Rio de Janeiro.

According to PaponaColina, the tie was confirmed after Boca eliminated São Paulo at MorumBIS. They advanced with a 1-0 first-leg win and a 1-1 draw in the return.

Boca dropped into the competition after finishing third in a Libertadores group led by Cruzeiro. Under Rodolfo Arruabarrena, hired after the World Cup, they are on a 13-match unbeaten run.

This season reads 19 wins, 14 draws and eight defeats in 41 games, with the Buenos Aires club fifth in their domestic group. Stalemates have been a theme.

Leandro Paredes, 32 and a world champion, anchors midfield after spells with Roma, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. Around him are centre-back Di Lollo’s aerial strength, Milton Delgado’s energy and winger Leonel Flores, who set up a key goal last round.

By contrast, Ecuador striker Enner Valencia has so far been a substitute amid muted displays and fan criticism. Boca’s edge lies more in collective discipline and physical duels than in penalty-box specialists.

La Bombonera, capacity more than 57,000, will host the opener. Boca may not inspire the fear of old and tend to progress pragmatically, yet their defensive steel and cup nous still command respect.

Pedro Emanuel’s staff will use free weeks to probe Boca’s build-up on the floor from the back and blunt dangerous set plays. A high-intensity tie is expected, with mentality and finishing in both capitals likely to decide the finalists.

Source: PaponaColina

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”