A spot in the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores is there for the taking as Boca Juniors host Corinthians on Tuesday in the second leg of the knockout stage.
Neither side managed a breakthrough last week in what was the third meeting between these teams at this season's competition.
Match preview
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Competing for a spot in the last eight of this tournament must feel like a daily routine for the six-time Libertadores winners, who are making a fifth successive appearance in the knockout round.
They have only failed to advance beyond this stage on one occasion over that span, when Boca drew Atletico Mineiro 0-0 in both encounters last year, before losing 3-1 in a penalty shootout.
That defeat was the first time in four years that the Argentines went into the deciding encounter without a lead, and based on their track record, you could not help but think Xeneizes would have advanced had they won the opening leg.
Boca Juniors have not dropped a competitive fixture when tallying first all year, though they are without a goal in their previous two matches played in all competitions.
Sebastian Battaglia likes his team to play in a solid defensive shape, with lots of direct pressing, as their fullbacks and midfielders have provided plenty of stability to a system that focuses on a solid build-up play from the back, with lots of strength to cover the space if dispossessed.
While that approach has usually served them well, the movement of their strikers in recent outings has made all of their possessions seem like a waste, with Juniors currently struggling in the final third.
It is rather uncharacteristic to see them falter at La Bombonera, but that has happened in each of their previous two matches played there, including their domestic encounter on Saturday, where they conceded three times in the opening half, falling 3-0 to Banfield.
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Losing has been a rare feeling for Corinthians this season, as they suffered their worst defeat of the year this past weekend, 4-0 at Fluminense.
That was the first time that they had conceded a goal since early June, although it was also the first time that they had played away from home since the middle of last month.
On the road, Timao have only claimed one victory in their last four domestic games, failing to score multiple goals away from home since a 2-2 draw against Internacional in Porto Alegre back in May.
Finding the back of the net has been a problem for them in previous appearances in this competition, failing to score a goal in their last two knockout round appearances (2018 and 2015), with their last tally in the round of 16 coming against Boca Juniors in 2013, though they went on to lose that tie 2-1 on aggregate.
The last time they made it beyond this point of the competition was in 2012, when Time do Povo captured their only Copa Libertadores title in club history.
The man-oriented system traditionally employed by Portuguese manager Vitor Pereira has turned them into a rugged defensive unit, who are usually difficult to break down, conceding the second-fewest goals this season (14) in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A.
Despite going unbeaten against Boca Juniors in their two group-stage encounters this year, Corinthians failed to finish in first, squandering a 1-0 lead to Always Ready in their final match, playing to a 1-1 draw as they wound up in second by a single point.
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Team News
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Dario Benedetto leads Boca Juniors with three goals so far at this tournament, including the equaliser at home to Corinthians in the group stage, with Carlos Zambrano notching an assist on that play.
Agustin Rossi only had to make two saves in the opening leg of this tie to collect a clean sheet, and he got to rest this weekend in their defeat to Banfield, with Javier Garcia conceding on three of the five shots that he faced.
Exequiel Zeballos and Sebastian Villa, their top two goalscorers domestically this season, are still searching for their first of this competition.
Nicolas Figal is not expected to return until late July because of a problem in his knee, Diego Gonzalez continues to recover from a meniscus issue and Norberto Briasco could be sidelined for at least another week because of an ankle injury.
Maycon notched a brace for Corinthians in their 2-0 win over Boca Juniors in the group stage of this tournament, Du Queiroz scored their opener in a 1-1 draw against them in Argentina, while Cassio stopped four shots in the first leg of this tie and another four in their home victory against Boca back in April.
Adson has one goal for them so far in the 2022 competition, while they will be looking for more creativity from Lucas Piton, who is second in assists domestically with three but without one so far in this tournament.
Pereira has a long list of injuries that he will have to contend with, as Fagner (thigh), Rafael Ramos (thigh), Du Queiroz (thigh), Renato Augusto (calf) and Gustavo Silva (tendon) could all be forced out of this encounter.
In addition to that, Gil (thigh) and Maycon (muscle) are questionable with minor problems, while Luan (hip), Paulinho (ACL) and Ruan (ACL) will not be available.
Boca Juniors possible starting lineup:
Rossi; Sandez, Rojo, Izquierdoz, Advincula; Varela, Villa, Ramirez, Fernandez, Zeballos; Benedetto
Corinthians possible starting lineup:
Cassio; Pedro, Victor, Gustavo, Piton; Mantuan, Roni, Giuliano; Moraes, Guedes, Maycon
We say: Boca Juniors 1-0 Corinthians
While this may not be the best Boca Juniors side that we have ever seen, we believe past experiences will be a factor in this game, something that the Argentines should be able to use to their advantage against the Brazilians.
Corinthians have not been particularly sharp in the attacking third away from home, and they may struggle with their rhythm with so many players who are not 100%.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Joel Lefevre
