Santos were able to avoid the defeat at Boca Juniors last Wednesday and the 0-0 draw means they would return to the Copa Libertadores’ final for the first time since 2012 in the event of winning at home. Last Sunday, coach Cuca fielded an alternative XI but the team managed to beat leaders Sao Paulo 1-0 away. That victory stopped a three-game winless run of two draws and one defeat in all competitions. O Peixe remains to occupy the eighth spot in the Brazilian league table on 42 points, five behind the last Copa Libertadores’ berth. At home, Santos lost only one of their last nine, along with five triumphs and three stalemates.
Meanwhile, Boca Juniors’ fans will have felt satisfied as the team managed to keep a clean sheet at home and they would return to the Copa Libertadores’ finals in case of earning a draw with goals in Sao Paulo. Last Saturday, Miguel Angel Russo’s men drew 2-2 at Argentinos Juniors with a mixed XI and secured the first spot in the winners’ stage’s group A of the Copa Liga Profesional, which means they will meet Banfield in the tournament’s final. Boca is on six matches unbeaten in all competitions, having won three and drawn three. On away turf, they lost only one of the last 14, with ten successes and three stalemates.
Both were scared to lose last week and it ended in a scoreless draw, but this time it should be different. One game will definitely open things up so I’m expecting to see a more open game where a goal could make things wild.