Boca’s Libertadores nightmare with Cruzeiro, and the ideal route | OneFootball

Boca will experience a tension-filled Copa Libertadores night at La Bombonera. With no room for error, Claudio Úbeda’s team can no longer afford another stumble if it wants to keep dreaming of qualification for the round of 16. The clash against Cruzeiro is decisive in nature: a victory would leave them well positioned and with renewed hope, but a defeat could open the door to a catastrophic scenario — elimination with one matchday to spare.

Although no one at Brandsen 805 imagines that outcome, and optimism still prevails even though the picture has become more complicated than expected as the group stage has gone on, the truth is that Xeneize could indeed be left without any mathematical chance before facing Universidad Católica.

What would have to happen for them to be eliminated this week? First, they would have to lose to Cruzeiro at La Bombonera. And, in addition, Universidad Católica would have to defeat Barcelona. If that combination of results occurs between Tuesday and Thursday, Boca will automatically be left with no chance of advancing, since both the Chilean and Brazilian sides would move four points clear — both would reach 10 points against the Argentine team’s 6 — with only three left to play for.

On the other side of the equation, there is also a scenario that would leave Xeneize in a very strong position heading into the final matchday. Unlike the negative scenario — which could indeed seal their elimination — Boca has no chance of securing qualification this week. However, they could put one foot in the round of 16.

The most favorable scenario for Úbeda’s side would be to beat Cruzeiro by two goals or more. The goal difference in that win becomes crucial in this case, because it removes the obligation to have to beat Universidad Católica afterward. In other words, if they comfortably overcome the Brazilians, a draw against the Chileans would be enough to send them into the round of 16 without depending on other results.

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