Boca vs Argentinos Jrs
After their 0-0 draw against Independiente at home, Boca Juniors extended their unbeaten streak in the league to seven matches (five wins and two draws) and climbed to fifth place in the 2024 aggregate table. However, they secured a spot in the Copa Libertadores only because Vélez Sarsfield won the Liga Profesional title. At home, El Xeneize remained undefeated in their last six matches in this competition, with four wins and two draws. Coach Fernando Gago has top-class reinforcements for 2025, including Alan Velasco (FC Dallas, MLS), Rodrigo Battaglia (Atletico Mineiro, Brazil), and Ander Herrera (Athletic Club, Spain), among others. On the downside, Guillermo Fernandez (to Fortaleza EC, Brazil) and Cristian Medina (to Estudiantes) are the most notable departures of the summer. Boca won 2-0 over EC Juventude from Brazil in their only friendly match. On Wednesday, January 22, Boca won 5-0 over third-division club CD Argentino in the first round of the Copa Argentina. Argentinos Juniors drew 2-2 against Estudiantes away in the final match of the season, missing the chance to qualify for the 2025 Copa Sudamericana after winning just one of their last five league games (along with one draw and three losses). To make matters worse, El Bicho have gone 14 away matches in this competition without a win (three draws and 11 losses). Nicolas Diez is the new head coach of Argentinos, and he has brought in five new players. Among them, Ismael Sosa (returning to the club after 15 years from CD Nublense, Chile) and Federico Fattori (from Huracan) stand out as the most significant additions. On the other hand, Jonathan Galván (to CA Central Cordoba) and Francis Mac Allister (Instituto) have departed. I’m going to give Boca a vote of confidence here as they should be improved with their new names that includes spanish Ander Herrera and midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia who are expected to start today. Argentinos will have a new, inexperienced coach and not many new important faces.