Yes There will be Colombian Champions in the Diego Maradona Cup

The Diego Armando Maradona Cup final between Boca Juniors and Banfield presents a contrast that brings emotion from the previous one. The xeneizes are beaten after being thrashed and eliminated by Santos from Brazil in the Copa Libertadores; the ‘drill’ has been doing a good campaign and that air in the shirt can weigh on the final match of the championship.

In the last match of the Copa Libertadores, the team led by Miguel Ángel Russo was overcome and left a bad taste. The Colombian side, Frank Fabra, who had a night to forget, was sent off in the 55th minute when the game was already 3-0, for a violent stomp on an opponent.

“I am responsible for everything, I take charge. One does not go well, the defeat hurts, it is a semifinal and it was open, we knew the possibilities we had. Boca reached the semifinals and being left out here is not the logical thing to do, it is not what one looks for, we were looking for more things. I have no excuses”Russo said at a press conference.

The objective of Boca Juniors was, logically, to get their seventh Copa Libertadores and that is why they played with an alternative team several games in the Argentine League. However, the xeneize managed to qualify for the final as Group A leader with nine points, one more than River Plate and Argentinos Juniors.

The game can be seen in Colombia, starting at 8:10 pm through ESPN. For the Argentine league, this time there will be six Colombians present in the grand final. In Banfield, who for organizational reasons in this game will officiate as a local, will be the goalkeeper Ivan Mauricio Arboleda and the attacker Mauricio Leather, while Boca Juniors will be Frank Fabra, Jorman Campuzano, Edwin Cardona and Sebastián Villa. However, the left-back could go to the bench after being singled out in the loss to Santos where he was sent off.

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Miguel Ángel Russo’s players left behind the elimination in the semifinals of Copa Libertadores and for the local league They hope to take revenge against Banfield, a team with which they have not lost for more than 10 years. The last victory for the greens occurred on May 14, 2010 and was 3-0 with scores from Bustamante, Paletta against and Ramírez. Since then the Xeneizes have added seven wins and three draws.

“We are very hurt, it was a very hard blow for all of us. Now we have to think about Sunday, about being champions, we know that it will not be the same but we have to do things right “, assured Sebastián Villa in TyC Sports.

Banfield meanwhile wants to surprise, so it is not yet known how he will play. Getting Argentina’s last quota for the 2021 Copa Conmebol Libertadores is his main objective. According to the AS portal, those led by Javier Sanguinetti want their second title in the first division and face a rival that brings them good memories: in the Apertura 2009 they lost 2-0 to Boca, however, the team in which James Rodríguez was finished champion and went around in La Bombonera.

Most likely, Russo will repeat against Banfield the same alignment that he lost in Brazil, but the entry of Emmanuel Mas by Fabra or that Ramón ‘Wanchope’ Ábila or the Colombian is not ruled out Edwin cardona replace forward Franco Soldano.

“We will face this final with the responsibility it deserves. Hopefully we finish the tournament with the title. I feel in a great moment and I feel that I can give so much more. Both personally and collectively it is a very nice present for everyone, Nobody expected this, many teams were taken by surprise that Banfield is at this level “, said Mauricio Cuero on the radio program ‘Como te va’.

Numbers of the Colombians in the final

Iván Mauricio Arboleda (Banfield): 10 games played – 4 goals conceded.

Mauricio Cuero (Banfield): 8 games played – 2 goals scored – 3 assists.

Frank Fabra (Boca Juniors): 4 games played.

Jorman Campuzano (Boca Juniors): 6 games played.

Edwin Cardona (Boca Juniors): 10 games played – 3 goals scored – 4 assists.

Sebastián Villa (Boca Juniors): 9 games played – 1 goal scored – 2 assists.