Argentine Derby Showdown: Boca Juniors Face Racing Club in Clausura Playoff Semifinal Battle
A heavyweight clash is set for the Liga Profesional de Fútbol Clausura Playoffs Semifinal as Boca Juniors host arch-rivals Racing Club. This match is not just about reaching the final but also a derby steeped in history. Both teams are in excellent recent form, but Racing Club will face the challenge of key player suspensions.
Match Background & Qualification Scenarios
On December 7, 2025, the Liga Profesional de Fútbol Clausura Playoffs will feature a highly anticipated semifinal as Boca Juniors host Racing Club at their iconic Estadio Alberto J. Armando (La Bombonera). Boca Juniors secured home-field advantage for this semifinal by finishing as the leader of Zone A in the group stage, positioning them favorably to advance to the final with the fervent support of their home crowd. This is a single-elimination match, with the winner progressing directly to the final, ensuring both teams will exert maximum effort to claim the coveted spot. For two of Argentine football's traditional powerhouses, the importance of this match is paramount, representing not only a battle for bragging rights but also a crucial step towards clinching the league title.
Recent Form
Boca Juniors have entered the semifinals in formidable form, maintaining a perfect record of five wins in their last five official matches. This impressive run includes a 1-0 victory over Argentinos Juniors and a 2-0 win against Talleres in the Clausura Playoffs. Furthermore, they secured a notable 2-0 victory over arch-rivals River Plate in the league, showcasing their strong attacking and defensive capabilities. Racing Club are also in red-hot form, achieving four wins and one draw in their last five outings. Their path to the semifinal was particularly challenging, with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over River Plate in the Clausura Playoffs. Subsequently, in the quarter-final against Tigre, they advanced after a goalless draw in regular and extra time, ultimately triumphing in a penalty shootout, demonstrating the team's resilience.
Key Players & Injury News
For Boca Juniors, midfielder Alan Velasco makes a return to the squad after recovering from a knee injury and is available for selection. However, Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani, though back in group training, still has a minor hamstring issue, making his full fitness for the semifinal questionable. Midfielder Ander Herrera has also returned to training after a minor hamstring problem. Key offensive threats include the team's top scorers Miguel Merentiel and Milton Giménez, with Leandro Paredes set to be influential in midfield. In contrast, Racing Club face a significant challenge: key starters Santiago Sosa and Gastón Martirena are suspended due to red cards received in their previous match, which will heavily impact the team's defense and midfield organization. Racing's vital players, such as forward Adrián Martínez and midfielder Matías Zaracho, will need to step up in the absence of their suspended teammates.