Boca Juniors advanced to the Copa Libertadores’ semi-finals for the third year in a row thanks to their 2-0 home success over Racing Club, with Eduardo Salvio and Sebastian Villa finding the back of the net to make it 2-1 on aggregate. Last Saturday, coach Miguel Angel Russo picked a mixed XI, who ended up drawing 2-2 at home in the Superclasico against River Plate. As a result, both teams are level at the top of the Fase Campeonato’s group A table on eight points with one round to go. El Xeneize are on four matches unbeaten, winning three and drawing one. At home, they registered two successes and two draws since losing 1-0 to Internacional (Brazil) in regular time, when they won on penalties.
Meanwhile, Santos found it easy to beat Gremio 4-1 at home (5-2 on aggregate), which allowed them to return to the Copa Libertadores’ semi-finals after eight years. On a sorry note, it was their only success in the last seven games, along with three draws and three defeats. Their last competitive game was on December 27th, when they drew 1-1 at home against Ceara. The team are occupying the eighth spot in the Brazilian league table on 39 points, five behind Palmeiras, who occupy the last Copa Libertadores’ berth. Santos took a single point from the last nine on offer on away turf.
Boca has looked poor in defense lately, and the fast Santos’ strikers could be a big problem for them on counters.