Little room for error, Boca host Cruzeiro in last-16 shoot-out | OneFootball

Xeneize will host the Brazilian side tonight from 9:30 p.m. at La Bombonera, needing to pick up points to keep their fate in their own hands in Group D.

Boca will face a decisive night in the Copa Libertadores this Tuesday. Starting at 9:30 p.m., Xeneize will host Cruzeiro at La Bombonera on Matchday 5 of Group D, in a key match for their hopes of reaching the round of 16. The game will be broadcast on Canal 7 de Santiago del Estero, Telefé, and Fox Sports.

The team coached by Claudio Úbeda comes into the match third in the group and practically needing a win to keep alive its chances of advancing to the next round as group leader. A defeat would send the Brazilian side through and leave Boca relying on other results, while a draw would push the decision to the final matchday against Universidad Católica.

Boca’s current form has changed abruptly in recent weeks. After a very positive month, during which they went 14 matches unbeaten, Boca lost ground in the Libertadores and was also knocked out of the Torneo Apertura at home by Huracán in extra time.

After that elimination from the domestic tournament, Úbeda had more time to prepare for the clash against Cruzeiro. The coach’s idea would be to keep the core of the team that had been getting minutes, with Leandro Brey in goal and a back four.

In defense, the only change for footballing reasons would be: Malcom Braida would play at right back instead of Marcelo Weigandt, who has had some poor recent performances. Alongside the former San Lorenzo player would be Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa, and Lautaro Blanco.

In midfield, Leandro Paredes and Milton Delgado would keep their places, alongside Tomás Belmonte, who would come in for the suspended Santiago Ascacíbar. Further forward, Tomás Aranda is shaping up as the attacking midfielder.

The main question mark is up front. Miguel Merentiel would start, but his strike partner has yet to be decided. Milton Giménez is not at 100%, Adam Bareiro is out injured, and neither Edinson Cavani nor Carlos Palacios were called up. Given that situation, Exequiel Zeballos and Ángel Romero appear as alternatives.

Cruzeiro, meanwhile, comes in on the upswing. The Belo Horizonte side has lost only one of its last nine matches, managed to move away from the bottom of the Brasileirão, and is coming off an elimination of Goiás in the Copa do Brasil, as well as a draw away to Palmeiras.

The most recent meeting between the two came less than a month ago in Brazil. That match was marked by the early red card shown to Adam Bareiro before the end of the first half. Boca changed its approach, sat back, and ended up losing 1-0 to a goal by Néiser Villarreal in the 82nd minute.

Boca’s probable lineup: Leandro Brey; Malcom Braida, Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa, Lautaro Blanco; Leandro Paredes, Milton Delgado, Tomás Belmonte; Tomás Aranda; Miguel Merentiel and Milton Giménez or Exequiel Zeballos or Ángel Romero. Coach: Claudio Úbeda.

Cruzeiro’s possible starting eleven: Otávio; Fágner, Fabrício Bruno, Jonathan Jesús, Kaiki; Gerson, Lucas Romero; Keny Arroyo, Matheus Pereira; Christian and Kaio Jorge. Coach: Artur Jorge.

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