Boca in Crisis: La Bombonera Turned Against the Team

Boca is going through a new crisis: they drew at home at La Bombonera and left the field to whistles from the fans. What must improve? And how much credit does head coach Claudio Úbeda still have? Riquelme faces decisive hours.

At this moment, the Boca world is putting pressure on a pot that has been building heat for some time. The fans remain supportive, but they demand a change in attitude from the team and a decision from their president and idol, Juan Román Riquelme.

Since the start of the LPF, Boca has collected only 7 points from 15 available in five matches. They began on the right foot with a 1–0 win vs. Riestra, establishing strength at home, but then fell 2–1 away to Estudiantes de La Plata. They bounced back with a 2–0 home win over Newell’s de Rosario, only to lose again on the road, 2–1 against Vélez, coached by Guillermo Barros Schelotto, at El Fortín.

Among Boca supporters, the last remaining belief was simple: “At home, Boca wins convincingly.” That did not happen Sunday against Platense, who took a golden point from La Bombonera and will play the prestigious Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2026 for the first time in club history.

A Derby That Could Define the Path Ahead

Next Friday, Boca hosts Racing Club de Avellaneda. Racing arrives after victories over Banfield (2–0) and Argentinos Juniors (2–1), although they opened the season with three straight defeats: vs. Gimnasia (2–1), vs. Rosario Central at home (2–1), and away to Tigre (3–1). The team coached by Gustavo Costas, recently reinforced by Inter prospect Valentín Carboni, will look to complicate the outlook even further for current Boca manager Claudio “El Sifón” Úbeda.

Úbeda, who has a playing past with the rival club, was blunt after the home draw when asked how to reverse the situation: “We have to beat Racing.” And everyone agrees — at Boca, winning is mandatory. The problem is that after the last match, in which the team looked flat and spent the night chasing the ball, the question remains: win… but how?

What needs to change?

Whistles, Doubts, and Decisions Under Scrutiny

AS THEY LEFT THE FIELD, THE PLAYERS WERE WHISTLED.

A series of moments before and during the match sparked debate: the physical condition of captain Leandro Paredes; the unusual warm-up routine of Edinson Cavani, kicking a drink cooler; the inclusion of Janson, heavily questioned by fans; and Merentiel, returning from injury but appearing short of sharpness. Questions also arose: was he a better option than Zufiaurre (scorer against Vélez)? Was the choice of Alarcón to complement midfield the right one? Several coaching decisions have generated controversy among supporters.

The question is clear: who could arrive as head coach in the coming hours? It is one of the hottest topics. Who is up to the task? Should it be a former player with fan backing? I believe so.
Who is on the shortlist — only Román knows.

With less than a month until the Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores draw on March 18 in Luque, Paraguay — where Phase 1 matchups will be determined — the roadmap ahead is beginning to take shape.

A Decisive Month for the Club’s Future

Boca, under Román’s leadership, must have a well-oiled team, smart reinforcements aligned with the club’s identity, and a coach on the bench backed by supporters — something Claudio Úbeda no longer seems to have — to chase the long-awaited seventh Libertadores title and expand the trophy cabinet at Brandsen 805.

Time is running out.
And you — who do you see as Boca’s next head coach?