Why Boca Is Playing at Huracán
The pitch at La Bombonera is undergoing reseeding and drainage system renovation, especially in the area in front of the boxes, historically affected by lack of sunlight. For this reason, the board led by Juan Román Riquelme decided to move home games to the Tomás Adolfo Ducó stadium (home of Huracán) to protect the work. This is not an isolated event: the club took similar measures in 2022 and 2024 due to similar turf issues.
The match, corresponding to Matchday 2 of the 2026 Torneo Clausura, will be played this Wednesday, August 5, at 7:00 PM (local time), broadcast on TNT Sports Premium, with referee Nazareno Arasa (VAR: Silvio Trucco).
A Bit of History: The Great Exile of the 80s
Playing away from La Bombonera always brings back memories of a complex time for the Xeneize club. Between August 1983 and July 1985, Boca had to leave its neighborhood due to structural problems that threatened the stadium's collapse and suspensions due to incidents. During that period, the team played 36 home matches in seven different stadiums, including 12 at Vélez, 7 at River, and 7 at Atlanta. Today, the move is for a much more positive reason: the care and modernization of its historic field.
Boca's Record at the Ducó
The Palacio Ducó is not unfamiliar territory for Boca. Historically, the Xeneize has played 16 matches as the home team at Huracán's venue, with a highly positive record: 10 wins, 4 draws, and only 2 losses, with 37 goals scored and 13 conceded. This precedent brings calm ahead of the clash against the Pincha.
Confirmed Lineups
- Boca Juniors: Álvaro Montero; Leandro Lozano, Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa, Malcom Braida; Leandro Paredes, Milton Delgado; Tomás Aranda, Leonel Flores, Sebastián Villa, and Milton Giménez. Coach: Rodolfo Arruabarrena.
- Estudiantes: Fabricio Iacovich; Eric Meza, Santiago Núñez, Tomás Palacios, Gastón Benedetti; Ezequiel Piovi, Alexis Castro, Joaquín Tobio Burgos; Tiago Palacios, Fabricio Pérez, and Guido Carrillo. Coach: Alexander Medina.
Market News: Muslera Out, Valencia In
The La Plata side will suffer a key absence: Fernando Muslera will miss the match due to a flu-like illness. In his place, coach Alexander Medina will field young Fabricio Iacovich, who already has top-flight experience.
On Boca's side, excitement comes from the transfer market. Ecuador's all-time top scorer, Enner Valencia (36 years old), is one step away from becoming the fourth Xeneize signing. He arrives as a free agent after his stint with Pachuca and is expected to travel to Buenos Aires between Friday, August 7, and Saturday, August 8, for a medical and contract signing that will tie him to the club until December 2027. Additionally, the team will debut a new home jersey featuring a design that combines two shades of blue and the return of the crest with stars.
Sources: Infobae, TyC Sports, and La Nación.