Boca Juniors Kicks Off 2025 Season with Copa Argentina Debut

SANTA FE, Argentina — Boca Juniors began its 2025 campaign with a Copa Argentina clash against Argentino de Monte Maíz on Wednesday night at the Estadio Brigadier General Estanislao López. The match marked the official debuts of new signings Ander Herrera and Carlos Palacios, as coach Fernando Gago fielded a mix of experienced players and rising talents.

Boca, a perennial powerhouse in Argentine football, entered the tournament with high expectations despite missing several key players. The team lined up with Leandro Brey in goal, supported by a defense featuring Luis Advíncula, Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa, and Marcelo Saracchi. Herrera, the Spanish midfielder, anchored the midfield alongside Camilo Rey Domenech, while Brian Aguirre, Palacios, and Exequiel Zeballos provided attacking support for striker Miguel Merentiel.

Argentino de Monte Maíz, a smaller club from Córdoba, aimed to pull off an upset under coach Carlos Mazzola. Their lineup included Juan Cruz Cuesta in goal and a midfield led by Nicolás Fassino and Maximiliano Correa. Forward Ramiro Lasserre spearheaded their attack.

“We want to win titles, which is what we work for,” said Merentiel, who celebrated his 100th appearance for Boca. “We know we have a lot to prove.”

Boca has a strong history in the Copa Argentina, having never been eliminated in the round of 32 since the tournament’s revival in 2011. Their only early exit came in the 2013/2014 season against Huracán. This year, Gago faced challenges with injuries to key players like Marcos Rojo, Ignacio Miramón, and Edinson Cavani, as well as the ongoing recovery of Cristian Lema and Nicolás Figal.

Despite these setbacks, Boca’s recent transfer activity has been praised. Under the leadership of Juan Román Riquelme, the club secured seven new signings, including Herrera and Palacios. “This is probably the best transfer window since Riquelme took over,” said a club insider.

For Argentino de Monte Maíz, the match was a chance to make history. “We can pull off an upset,” said defender Matías Barbero, a self-proclaimed Boca fan. “It’s 90 minutes, and anything can happen.”

As the gates opened at the stadium, hundreds of fans from both teams filled the stands, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter. Boca’s supporters hoped for a strong start to the season, while Argentino’s faithful dreamed of a memorable victory.