Boca is preparing for a new challenge in the Copa Sudamericana after meeting its next rival: Independiente del Valle from Ecuador. This confrontation arose from the playoffs of the continental tournament, after Boca finished second in group D of the Copa Libertadores, behind Fortaleza of Brazil. For its part, Independiente del Valle took third place in group F, led by Palmeiras from Brazil, with San Lorenzo in second place.
The series will begin in Ecuador during the week of July 17, and It will be defined in the Bombonera the following week, taking advantage of the home field advantage that the teams from the Sudamericana have.. If Boca overcomes this confrontation, they will meet Cruzeiro of Brazil in the round of 16 of the tournament.
Boca’s recent history in Quito generates mixed feelings among fans. In 2019, the team beat Liga de Quito 3-0 in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores, under the technical direction of Gustavo Alfaro, who opted for an unconventional strategy by not basing himself in Guayaquil.
However, in 2016, Boca was eliminated in the semifinals by Independiente del Valle, with a 2-1 defeat in Quito and 3-2 in Bombonera, a hard blow that caused the departure of several key players and coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto.
The last time Boca visited the 2,850 meters above sea level of Quito, Alfaro’s innovative strategy, based on recommendations from the Flamengo coaching staff, which had faced Liga in the group stage, proved to be effective.
However, the defeat in 2016 against Independiente del Valle, in a match marked by a controversially disallowed goal, remains a painful memory for Xeneizes fans.
The playoff schedule, located between the end of the Copa América and the start of the Olympic Games, presents an additional challenge for Boca, which could face the absence of some players called up by their national teams. Despite this disadvantage, the team led by Diego Martínez is focused on overcoming a rival that has won the Sudamericana twice, like Boca.
Independiente del Valle is one of the five clubs that have won the Copa Sudamericana twice, along with Independiente de Avellaneda, Athletico Paranaense and Liga de Quito. Therefore, This match promises a complex confrontation, with both teams looking to advance to the round of 16 and consolidate its position in South American football.
With information from Olé
