Boca Juniors vs SantosÂ
Sebastian Villa’s strike in the seventh minute gave Boca Juniors their first three points in the Copa Libertadores following a 1-0 away success at The Strongest. On Saturday, coach Miguel Angel Russo rotated his players but the team still managed to beat Huracan 2-0 away. That victory allowed them to remain second-placed in the Copa Liga Profesional’s group B on 19 points, three away from the ticket to the playoffs. Overall, El Xeneize are on three wins in a row in all competitions. At home, they beat Atletico Tucuman and Defensa y Justicia in the last two.
After beating Deportivo Lara and San Lorenzo in the preliminary rounds, Santos had a sorry start in the group stage last Tuesday, when losing 2-0 to Barcelona. Since then, the team succumbed to two more defeats in the Sao Paulo State Championship: 1-0 at Gremio Novorizontino on Friday and 2-0 to Corinthians at home on Sunday. As a result, O Peixe earned nine points in nine matches in that competition, compromising their qualification for the next round. Furthermore, Santos are on two consecutive losses on the road.
Santos’ coach Ariel Holan resigned on Monday and Yeferson Soteldo’s left to join MLS side Toronto FC, so Boca should take advantage of this team’s problems and get their 2nd win of this group.