Lorena Benítez on Boca’s Libertadores debut: “make history” | OneFootball

The dream of reaching the continental summit kicks off this afternoon when Boca faces Alianza Lima in the opening of Group B of the Women's Libertadores Cup 2025; the match will start at 16:00 at the Nuevo Francisco Urbano. The opportunity to play the Libertadores at home reignites expectations in the club and among fans, who hope to see Las Gladiadoras stand firm against the best teams on the continent.

The news that generates the most enthusiasm in the Boca environment is the return of Lorena Benítez after almost a year of recovery from a cruciate ligament and meniscus fracture; her reintegration not only brings experience but also a symbol of resilience for the locker room. "The minutes I get to play, I will do my best," she tells Telefe, and that phrase sums up the mix of caution and desire that surrounds her return to the field in a match that demands commitment from the first minute.

The midfielder, who knows what it means to compete in continental tournaments, clearly defined the importance of the Libertadores for the group and the continuity of the project: "The Libertadores Cup has always been the most important tournament for us. When you play the Argentine tournament, you're thinking about becoming champion to qualify. We are fortunate to have a streak in this cup (she was a finalist in 2022, was eliminated in the group stage in 2023 and reached the semifinals last year), but as soon as the tournament ends, you want to play it again, so you're waiting a year for this moment". This perspective highlights the ambition that runs through the squad and the urgency to transform experience into results.

About the internal atmosphere and preparation, Benítez highlighted unity and collective work as pillars to aspire to the title: "We arrive with a lot of desire to continue making history, to keep leaving the club at the top. The group is doing very well, we have been strengthening and uniting more and more. We work a lot together to achieve it because we know the importance of the group being like this and more for these types of tournaments. We have to be strong for each step we are taking and push each other, whatever the situation, on and off the pitch". This cohesion will be put to the test from the first date against an opponent that promises intensity.

Benítez's own trajectory in the Cup adds specific weight to the expectation; with stints at Palmeiras and the recent tournament experience with Boca, the midfielder does not hide her personal and collective goal: "This will be my third, and they say the third time's the charm, and I'm missing the first place medal in my showcase, so we're going for that goal and more knowing that it's on our soil. That has a special taste".

In addition, the possibility of playing the Libertadores in Argentina and with the support of the people gives the captain an emotional plus that, according to her, drives the team: "This Cup will undoubtedly be very special for us and I hope it will also be for each one of the people who will support us on this journey. Having the opportunity to play it at home, with the support of our people and our families, gives us an incredible boost. That backing fills us with motivation and drives us to want to leave everything on the field with grit, commitment and heart".

The debut against Alianza Lima will not be easy and Benítez knows it: "We know that Alianza Lima will be a tough opponent, we know they have prepared very well. However, we trust in the strength of our game and in our identity as a team. We will face each match as if it were a final, with commitment and determination. It will surely be an intense series, back and forth, and our goal is to give it our all until the last minute to be able to take the victory". With that premise and the return of a key figure, Boca will try to start the campaign with authority and take the necessary steps to, as she wishes, "mark the history of Argentine football, our club's and each of us personally".

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