Boca Juniors vs Platense
Boca Juniors are now experiencing a good moment of form. Speaking of league action, the team wrapped up their campaign with a convincing 2-0 away success at Independiente to make it six Liga Profesional matches without defeat, winning five and drawing one in that spell. As a result, El Xeneize accumulated 44 points, which means they are just one point behind the last Copa Libertadores’ spot in the aggregate table. At home, Boca took 19 of the last 21 points available in domestic action. During the winter break, Jorge Almiron’s men advanced to the Copa Libertadores’ quarter-finals by beating Uruguay’s Nacional on penalties (2-2 on aggregate). Boca added five new faces to their squad so far, with Edinson Cavani (from Valencia CF, Spain), Ezequiel Bullaude (Feyenoord Rotterdam, Netherlands) and Lucas Blondel (Tigre) as the most noteworthy ones.
Platense saved a very valuable point in their last league match, drawing 1-1 away at Gimnasia LP thanks to a strike from Marco Pellegrino in the 93rd minute. Winless in their last three Liga Profesional matches, drawing two and losing one, El Calamar ended up producing an irregular campaign in the first tournament of the year, accumulating 34 points to occupy 17th spot. In fact, Martin Palermo’s men succumbed to six defeats across their last nine away games, along with one victory and two draws. Luciano Ferreyra (arriving from Rosario Central), Joaquin Blazquez (Stade Brestois 29, France) and Gabriel Gudino (Huracan) are the most relevant signings, with no relevant departures in the winter break. Last Saturday, they drew 1-1 away at Banfield in a friendly game.
Boca will have the league debut of legendary striker Edinson Cavani, and that should be enough motivation to continue their good run vs this irregular Platense.