Boca Juniors Faces Independiente in Crucial Apertura Quarterfinal

Buenos Aires, Argentina – Boca Juniors will face Independiente on Monday, May 19, at 9:30 PM for the quarterfinals of the 2025 Apertura Tournament at Estadio La Bombonera. The matchup is highly anticipated as both teams strive for a place in the semifinals.

This will be the 227th edition of the fierce rivalry, known as the clásico. Boca leads the historical series with 80 wins compared to Independiente’s 75 victories, while 72 matches have ended in draws.

The teams last met on March 19, 2024, resulting in a 0-0 draw. Boca look to rebound following a tense match against Lanús that ended in penalties, with Boca winning 4-2 after a scoreless regular time, and goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín starring by saving a penalty.

Independiente, coached by Julio Vaccari, comes off a 1-0 win against Guaraní and is looking strong, aiming to pull an upset at the daunting La Bombonera, where they haven’t won since 2012.

Mariano Herrón, Boca’s coach, might have to make a last-minute defensive change due to captain Marcos Rojo‘s illness. If Rojo cannot play, Ayrton Costa is expected to step in. The possible lineup for Boca includes Sergio Romero, Marcelo Weigandt, Cristian Lema, Ayton Costa, and Edinson Cavani among others.

The referee for the match will be Nicolás Ramírez, and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN Premium. Fans will also have options to watch through platforms offering free online access.

This clásico not only represents a crucial tournament matchup but also highlights the deep-seated history between the two clubs, filled with iconic players who have donned both jerseys over the years. The anticipation is palpable as both teams prepare for this historic clash.