Boca Juniors at Fluminense Wednesday May 23 (r)

VS



Date: Wednesday May 23
Time: 19:30 (Hora Argentina)
Stadium: Fluminense
Ref: Enrique Osses (Chile)

VAMOS BOCA, A LA SEMIFINAL!!!

I don't know any Argentine bars near the SJ airport, there's not much anywhere in the Bay Area. But perhaps you might try a British Pub called Britannia Arms on West Santa Clara Street, a couple of blocks from HP Pavillion. They always show a lot of soccer and as I recall they did show Copa America, so they just might have Copa Libertadores. And right next to it there's a place that sells Argentine empanadas, called Mmoon, and while it's a small fast food place they do have a giant screen so it's possible that they might show it. There's also another nice Sports Bar nearby in the next block called Los Gatos Brewing Company, but it's mostly for the Sharks hockey fans, so it would be a longshot. I know a Peruvian bar in Redwood City where South Americans get together to watch CL, but it's a good half hour away, you'd probably miss your flight.

Silva is back, but Somoza and Ledesma are not.

Likely starters (4-3-1-2)

........................Orion
Roncaglia....Schiavi...Insaurrale...Clemente
.........Rivero.....Erbes....Erviti
.........................Riquelme
......Cvitanich/Mouche....Silva

The only doubt is Mouche or Cvitanich. Both have been playing well, but just like Riquelme10, I'd like to see Cvitanich start and Mouche come in fresh sometime in the second half to change things up.

Fluminense will have only one change from the starting lineup that lost 1-0 in Buenos Aires. Carlinhos, suspended due to his red card, will be replaced by Carleto. Deco and Fred are still unavailable, but Wellington Nem is ready and will be on the bench.

Likely lineup:
Diego Cavalieri; Bruno, Gum, Anderson, Carleto; Edinho, Jean, Wagner, Thiago Neves; Rafael Sobis, Rafael Moura

Considering the injuries I like most of this line-up. Erviti and Romero have really come on to be players I look forward to watching. Rivero strikes me as an RM with a DM mentality. Erviti I like because he can be a very creative and exciting player....I just wish his finishing was a bit better. Erbes I've tried to warm up to but he's no Seba or Somoza. I would actually like to see Benavidez play as the #5 based on his last few appearances.

As for the Silva/Mouche/Cvitanich dilemma, I'd start with Silva and Mouche. Silva is a beast to defend and he does so much more than score. Mouche is plain exciting, never seems to tire and his pace causes big problems for defenses. I think the presence of those two free up Don Libertadores more so than any combo of the two with Cvitanich. I really like Dario as a player but I've always felt that he and Silva on the pitch together kinda cancel each other out to a certain degree. Based off of what I saw from Viatri against Racing I wouldn't be opposed to seeing him come of the bench. The golazo aside, his off the ball movement was very good and smart, more so than pre-injury. Throw Blandi in to the mix and all of a sudden we have some depth up front.

Apparently Boca's players spent a rough night in Rio, courtesy of the Fluminense fans with their fireworks and shouts. I guess it comes with the territory. Hopefully it won't affect their game.

Reportedly Cvitanich will start alongside Silva and Mouche will be on the bench.

I'm feeling it already, it's going to be a war!

Well, Flu came out all-out to attack. Either they score or we do.

Damn, that bounced off Rivero. I thought their best shot to score was the dead balls.

Bad luck. Now they are going to have to fight the adversity.

VAMOS BOCA!!!

After the goal Boca lost the plot. I'm almost hoping for halftime so they can regroup.