Boca Juniors made a commanding entrance to the 2025 Copa Argentina, dominating Argentino de Monte Maíz with a resounding 5-0 victory on January 22nd, 2025, at the Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao López. The match marked Boca's entrance to both the tournament and their new season under head coach Fernando Gago.
With several key players absent, including the notable absences of Edinson Cavani, Marcos Rojo, and Cristian Lema, Gago had to rethink his strategy and line-up. Instead, he opted to start new recruits Ayrton Costa, Carlos Palacios, and Ander Herrera, integrating them smoothly with the existing squad. Leandro Brey took the helm as goalkeeper, with Gago deciding against starting Javi García, who had recently signed a contract renewal.
The first half saw Boca struggle momentarily against their lower-division rivals, but their persistence paid off just before halftime. Exequiel Zeballos broke the deadlock with a stunning shot after receiving the ball from Luis Advíncula, leading to Miguel Merentiel finishing off the play for the first goal. This goal seemed to uplift the Xeneizes, as they quickly followed up with another—thanks to the performance of their new signings and the cohesive strategy Gago deployed.
Standing out on the field was Exequiel Zeballos, whose contributions were pivotal, scoring not just once but as part of Boca's five-goal haul. Further goals came from Miguel Merentiel, Lucas Janson, Milton Giménez, and Kevin Zenón, showcasing the depth and talent within Boca’s ranks. Besides Zeballos, the crowd cheered particularly for Ander Herrera, whose experience and skill were significant assets during the match.
Herrera, making his official debut for Boca, aided both defensively and offensively, forming strong partnerships with the midfielders. His integration demonstrated Gago's desire to build the team around Herrera, heralding the start of what could be an exciting chapter for the club.
The tactical layout was primarily centered around a flexible 4-2-3-1 formation, allowing for dynamic movements and swift offensive strikes. Boca’s pressing style of play forced Argentino to concede the ball repeatedly, exemplifying the gap between the two teams, not just by skill but also by fitness levels, with Boca showing impressive endurance throughout the match.
While Boca dominated, Argentino de Monte Maíz did showcase spirited efforts, albeit limited. Their inability to regain control revealed the stark difference between competing divisions, as they prepare to commence their own season shortly.
Now, with this win, Boca Juniors will advance to the 16 of finals where they will face the winner of the match between Atlético Tucumán and All Boys. The stakes are high, especially as the Copa Argentina serves not only as another trophy opportunity but also as a ticket to the 2026 Copa Libertadores, which adds extra motivation for Boca as they look to reclaim glory after mixed results the previous season.
Looking forward, Boca will also be turning their attention to their next match on January 26, 2025, as they make their Liga Profesional debut against Argentinos Juniors at La Bombonera. This upcoming match will allow fans to see how the team continues to shake off the rust and gel together, particularly their new signings.
Just as the season begins, Boca fans are filled with hope and anticipation following such impressive performances. If the team can maintain this momentum, they might just have the year they’ve been longing for, with both national and continental aspirations on the horizon.