Boca’s possible routes to reach the 2026 Copa Libertadores | OneFootball

The 2-1 defeat against Defensa y Justicia left the Xeneize in the Sudamericana zone, but they still have six matches left to compete for the Libertadores. Here's the schedule.

The 2-1 defeat against Defensa y Justicia was not just another loss for Boca because it not only ended a six-match unbeaten streak, but also put them in serious danger of missing the next Libertadores. They have now fallen to fourth place, putting them in the Sudamericana zone, as Argentinos holds the third spot in the annual table and would go to the playoffs.

The Xeneize, who have not played in the main phase of the continent's most important club tournament in the last two years, have only two paths to enter the next edition: finish among the top three in the annual standings or win the Clausura.

If they finish lower, it's true that a spot could open up for them, but for that to happen, the teams above them in the table (Rosario Central with 50, River with 49, and Argentinos with 47) need to win the tournament or the Copa Argentina, a competition from which the blue and gold team has been eliminated.

For this reason, the six remaining matches in the Clausura are crucial for Miguel Ángel Russo's team. They must accumulate as many points as possible to reach the playoffs with Libertadores qualification confirmed, thus avoiding the need to become champions.

However, the upcoming matches will not be easy, even though they have the advantage of playing four of them at home, where - it is assumed - Boca will be much stronger than when playing away.

The first challenge for Russo's team will be Newell’s, next Sunday at 19:00. Ogro Fabbiani's team is not doing well, having been eliminated from the Copa Argentina and sitting second to last in zone A. Then, the Xeneize will visit Barracas on Saturday, October 11, at 14:30. The Guapo is one of the group's main contenders and is trailing Unión.

After that, Boca will host Belgrano, who have improved in recent matches with Ruso Zielinski on the bench, and later they will visit Estudiantes in La Plata, who, after being knocked out of the Libertadores, will focus all their efforts on the local tournament.

In the penultimate round, the Xeneize will have a match that could set the course for the rest of the year as they host River in a high-stakes game. A victory could right the ship, but a defeat would be a hard blow to take. The clash is expected to occur on the second weekend of November, as there will be no football on October 26 due to the elections.

Finally, Russo's team will close their path to the Libertadores against Tigre, also at the Bombonera, and it will be the last match before the playoffs. Will Boca be able to return to play in the cup that excites their fans so much?

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