No Margin For Error As Boca Begin Copa Mission…

By: Brett | November 6th, 2009

copa

Los Xenienes are back at The Chocolate Box this Sunday afternoon in the first of our seven game mission to secure qualification into Copa Libertadores 2010.

No longer handed an automatic spot simply because we are awesome – we’ve claimed 4 of the last 10 Copa’s, 6 overall, and are joint owners of the most final appearances with 9 – we must now qualify for South America’s most prestigious club tournament, a tournament which would be poorer without us, by finishing in the top 4 of this seasons Apertura.

We are currently 6 points adrift of Velez Sarsfield in fourth. At the Tuesday press conference, defender and goal of the season contender Juan Krupoviesa admitted that Boca’s margin for error this campaign is “shrinking.”

He added, “…the championship is getting closer to finishing, but trust us, we will fight it. If we had caught up to the start of the tournament, we would be talking about something else…”

This is true. With the structure of the Argentine club season being what it is, to be in with a decent shot at the championship and Copa qualification, clubs need to get off to a solid start. We didn’t and are now having to play catch up – a position no one likes to be in.

But, if any club can get out of a predicament like this, it’s Boca Juniors.

Our opponents on Sunday, Colon de Santa Fe, are have been fairly decent thus far. Seven wins from twelve matches has them sitting nicely in third, two points from leaders Banfield. A large part of their success has been the form of 26 year old striker, Federico Nieto. The former Rangers and Genoa flop has smashed 10 goals already, and is certain to be Colon’s biggest weapon in this one.

For us, it’s a case of two in and two out. Gabriella Paletta and Seba Battaglia both picked up injuries last week and aren’t fit, but Julio Caceres and Hugo Ibarra are fit and ready to rock and roll. This means that Gary Medel, who has been excellent filling in for Ibarra at right fullback the last couple of matches, can slot back into midfield where he is happiest.

Last minute hitches not withstanding, Claudio Morel Rodriguez and Krupoviesa will make up the remainder of our back four. Pato will remain in goal, despite his average performance in Rosario last time out.

Medel will be joined by Ariel Rosada, Christian Chavez and Federico Insua, in what is a midfield foursome in terrific form, particularly Insua, and in possession of more than enough quality to get the job done.

Nico Gaitan has recovered in time and will start up front alongside birthday boy, Martin Palermo.

Yes, El Loco turns the big 3-6 on Saturday. Being an avid follower of this blog, the Boca Offside would just like to say – Happy Birthday big man! Many happy returns and all that…and a goal against Colon would be wicked. Cheers.

According to Martin, the team “are calm and confident” going into this one. That’s really tremendous. Much better than, “pacing about nervously with doubtful looks on their faces.”

With so much to play for, the lads will step up and do the business. We’ll win 2-0. Goals courtesy of the Birthday boy and Chavez.

Vamos Boca…

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