Boca will begin Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s official second cycle in charge against Sarmiento, with the coach already defining his lineup for the 16avos de final of the Copa Argentina. The match against Sarmiento vs Boca will be played in Rosario at 21:45, in a single-elimination tie where there is no second leg and no margin for a slow start.
That makes this more than just another cup fixture. For Arruabarrena, it is the first major test of his return, and for Boca it is a straight knockout match that will decide everything in 90 minutes.
Boca confirm the team for Rosario
The club made the selection public with a short message confirming the XI to face Sarmiento in Rosario. In that announcement, Boca made it clear that the lineup had already been set for the match that opens Arruabarrena’s second spell.
One of the notable details is the presence of Tomás Aranda, who stands out as the main novelty in the starting team. It is the kind of selection call that immediately draws attention in a cup tie, especially when the coach is taking charge officially again for the first time.
Belmonte ruled out before the first whistle
Not every piece of news was positive for Boca before kick-off. Tomás Belmonte was left out because of an ankle sprain, a setback that removes another option from the squad at a moment when rhythm and control matter in a direct elimination match.
That absence leaves Boca with one less alternative, but the bigger story remains the same: Arruabarrena is back, the lineup is set, and the Xeneize now have to turn that preparation into a result in Rosario.
All or nothing in 90 minutes
The Copa Argentina format adds weight to every moment. Boca and Sarmiento meet once, and only one side will move on from the 16avos de final. There is no recovery route if the game turns difficult, and no second chance if the result goes against them.
For that reason, this opener of Arruabarrena’s new cycle carries immediate pressure. The match in Rosario is not just the beginning of a return; it is the first chance to show Boca can handle a knockout night from the start.
