Atlético Rafaela vs Boca Juniors Preview

Topics: Atletico Rafaela, Boca Juniors, Argentine League

A discouraged Boca Juniors will be hoping to return to winning ways when they travel to Rafaela to do battle with the locals on Sunday.

Argentine giants Boca Juniors have been in disastrous form both in the domestic and international scene so far this season, but will be hoping to get back on track when they take on Atletico Rafaela in the Argentine Torneo Final.

Boca, who were beaten 1-0 by Nacional of Montevideo in a tense Copa Libertadores group match at the Bombonera stadium midweek, have struggled to find their feet since the arrival of legendary coach Carlos Bianchi, but will be desperate to revert the situation on Sunday.

With just 4 points from four rounds of the championship, Boca are clearly struggling and will need to obtain maximum points in Rafaela in order to avoid further decline.

Bianchi, who had led Boca to numerous titles in the past, has announced that he will select a complete reserve team against Rafaela, so that he can keep his starters fresh for when Los Xeneizes face Nacional in a crucial Copa Libertadores clash in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Thursday.

The coach will provide opportunities for the likes of goalkeeper Oscar Ustari, Lautaro Acosta, Leandro Somoza, Emiliano Albin and high-profile, but underperforming Uruguayan striker Santiago Silva.

Silva, who scored Boca's only goal in their 3-1 defeat to Union for the Argentine championship last weekend, had been the side's first choice and most lethal striker under former coach Julio Falcioni, but has been dropped to the reserves after not impressing Bianchi.

According to reports, midfielder Juan Sanchez Mino could possibly return to the side after recovering from a shoulder injury that has kept him out of action for more than four months.

Meanwhile, Jorge Burruchaga, the coach of rivals Atletico Rafaela, who fought out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Quilmes last weekend, will make only one change to the side from that game, with Jonathan Lopez coming in for injured striker Diego Vera.