With double training sessions and mandatory concentration, Boca's head coach seeks to relaunch the team for the Torneo Clausura and the Copa Argentina
Russo's new plan is based on three essential pillars: intense physical preparation to raise the level, group cohesion to strengthen mentality, and strict discipline to avoid distractions. Practices began on Wednesday under this format and will be repeated daily until the start of the Torneo Clausura, which begins in a few weeks.
Boca is going through days of self-criticism and deep restructuring after the tough elimination against Auckland City in the Club World Cup. Aware of the poor football moment, Miguel Ángel Russo decided to make a decisive change and take absolute control of the squad.
"I don't like being eliminated in the first round," stated the coach after the defeat, making it clear that the second half of the year allows no distractions if the goal is to become champion.
Since then, the Xeneize squad has been following a demanding routine: double daily training sessions at the Ezeiza complex, staying at the club's hotel, and a complete review of the group. The objective is clear: to restore intensity, discipline, and competitiveness to a team that appeared fragile in the last international tournament.
While staying at the complex, the players are under the control of the coaching staff, who aim to relaunch Boca and leave behind the image left by their participation in the Club World Cup. The message is clear: more commitment and more work in a context with less margin for error.
Xeneize's debut will be in the second week of July against Argentinos Juniors, and Russo wants to see a clear change in attitude and level of play from the very first match. Beyond the result, the coach aims to recover the competitiveness that Boca showed against opponents like Benfica and Bayern Munich, and move away from the apathetic version displayed against Auckland City.
It remains to be seen whether the new demanding regime will enable Boca to regain the solidity and character needed to become a contender again. What is clear is that, after the international setback, Russo opted for self-criticism and hard work as the path to a race-against-the-clock recovery.
