What Boca need to reach the Copa Libertadores last 16 | OneFootball

After the loss in Brazil that left Group D wide open, Boca is looking to bounce back in the Copa Libertadores in a key stop for its aspirations against Barcelona SC. Facing the weakest team in the group, Claudio Úbeda’s side knows it must return from Ecuador with all three points to take advantage of Cruzeiro and Universidad Católica facing each other on Matchday 4, and thus take a crucial step toward the round of 16.

At this stage of the continental tournament, there are three teams with the same number of points: under the new tiebreaker criteria, the Chileans lead with six points (+1 goal difference), while the Xeneize are second (+3) and the Brazilians trail behind (+1). The Guayaquil side sits bottom of the table with just one.

So, although the story of the Copa Libertadores group stage is still only halfway through, it is possible to make an approximate analysis of what Boca needs from here on out to dream of qualifying for the round of 16.

What is the outlook for the Xeneize? Thanks to its two wins in the opening matchdays, if it takes seven points from the nine still left to play for, qualification is guaranteed without depending on other results.

If it gets six, it will practically have one foot in the next round, although it will still have to wait. From that range downward, Boca will have to keep one eye on the other clubs in Group D to try to finish in the top two and punch its ticket to the round of 16. In other words, it will be dependent on other results.

The positive side for Boca in that regard is that, after tonight’s visit to Barcelona in Guayaquil, the two remaining matches that will determine its path will be played at La Bombonera, a stadium where it has not lost in the Libertadores since December 2020.

Boca’s schedule for the remainder of the Copa Libertadores group stage

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