Boca Juniors is set to face Lanús in a highly anticipated match in the round of 16 of the Torneo Apertura, taking place this Saturday night, May 10, 2025, at La Bombonera. The match kicks off at 21:00 local time and will be officiated by referee Leandro Rey Hilfer, with VAR assistance provided by Pablo Dóvalo.
After a turbulent season, Boca Juniors enters this knockout stage under the guidance of interim coach Mariano Herrón, who has the endorsement of club legend and current president Juan Román Riquelme. Herrón took over following the dismissal of Fernando Gago after a disappointing 2-1 defeat to River Plate in the superclásico, a result that left the team reeling at the end of the regular phase.
Boca finished second in Zone A, narrowly missing out on first place to Argentinos Juniors due to goal difference. The team managed to secure nine victories in their last ten matches, but the loss to River highlighted critical issues that need addressing. “We have to keep working; we were doing well, and we’ll face River again if God wants,” said forward Miguel Merentiel, emphasizing the need for resilience.
For this crucial encounter against Lanús, Boca will be without key players Edinson Cavani and Luis Advíncula. Cavani, the prolific Uruguayan striker, is sidelined due to injury, while Advíncula is out with a sprain in his right knee, which he sustained during practice earlier this week. Herrón has opted to replace Advíncula with Lucas Blondel, maintaining ten of the eleven starters from the previous match against Tigre, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
In the lineup for Boca Juniors, Agustín Marchesín will be in goal, with a defensive line composed of Blondel, Rodrigo Battaglia, Marcos Rojo, and Lautaro Blanco. The midfield will feature Tomás Belmonte, Milton Delgado, and Kevin Zenón, while the attacking front will consist of Carlos Palacios, Alan Velasco, and Merentiel leading the charge.
On the other side, Lanús arrives at La Bombonera with a recent victory under their belt, having defeated Melgar 1-0 in the Copa Sudamericana. This win has positioned them at the top of Group G, but their domestic form has been less consistent, as they fell 1-0 to Atlético Tucumán in their last Torneo Apertura match. Despite this setback, coach Mauricio Pellegrino is expected to field a strong squad, repeating the team that triumphed over Melgar.
Lanús will feature Nahuel Losada in goal, supported by a defense including Armando Méndez, Carlos Izquierdoz, Ronaldo Dejesús, and Sasha Marcich. Their midfield will consist of Alexis Segovia, Ramiro Carrera, Agustín Cardozo, and Eduardo Salvio, with Marcelino Moreno and Alexis Canelo leading the attack.
This knockout match is critical for both teams, with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals to face the victor of the match between Independiente and Independiente Rivadavia de Mendoza, scheduled for Sunday, May 11, 2025. The stakes are high as Boca seeks to leverage home advantage to secure a spot in the next round.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the showdown, with Boca's passionate supporters expected to fill La Bombonera, creating an electrifying atmosphere. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN Premium, ensuring that fans can follow the action as it unfolds.
As both teams prepare for this decisive clash, the focus will be on tactical execution and the ability to handle pressure in front of a large crowd. Boca Juniors will aim to turn their fortunes around after the recent managerial change, while Lanús hopes to capitalize on their recent success to pull off an upset in enemy territory.
With everything on the line, the battle between Boca Juniors and Lanús promises to be a thrilling encounter that could define the trajectory of both teams in the Torneo Apertura.
