Latest news with #MiguelAngelRusso
CNA
2 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Boca Juniors fans deliver the loudest, most passionate support at Club World Cup
MIAMI :In just two games, Boca Juniors have taken Hard Rock Stadium by storm, turning it into their own 'Bombonera' outpost. They filled it with a passion unmatched at this Club World Cup, leaving opposing fans, pundits, and even Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany visibly impressed. The Boca fans made for most of the 55,574 spectators in their team's game against Benfica and were also the immense majority of the 63,587 supporters in Friday's 2-1 defeat against Bayern Munich. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Soccer's governing body FIFA has been heavily criticised for an alleged lack of interest for the 32-team tournament in the United States. While some matches are played in front of half empty stadiums, the presence of South American fans has been crucial for the Club World Cup. KEY QUOTES: Boca Juniors coach Miguel Angel Russo: "The fans were amazing — but there's nothing new about that. Of course it hurts to lose, but our people are just incredible. Boca is about working together: team and fans. That's who we are. "Argentine football is special. It's a unique history. People here are passionate, intense. Our supporters have backed this team through everything, and we have to be up to the challenge." Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany: "I've had a long career and experienced a lot. There are times I want to be a player and tonight was one of those times. The crowd was hostile in the best possible way, and the game full of aggression in a good way. That's what I love about football. "We played against a big club with a fanbase that most fans would pay to watch." KEY NUMBERS: 60,626 - The average attendance at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium in four Club World Cup matches. The best attendance was on Friday with 63,587 supporters in the stands.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Boca Juniors fans deliver the loudest, most passionate support at Club World Cup
MIAMI, June 20 (Reuters) - In just two games, Boca Juniors have taken Hard Rock Stadium by storm, turning it into their own 'Bombonera' outpost. They filled it with a passion unmatched at this Club World Cup, leaving opposing fans, pundits, and even Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany visibly impressed. The Boca fans made for most of the 55,574 spectators in their team's game against Benfica and were also the immense majority of the 63,587 supporters in Friday's 2-1 defeat against Bayern Munich. Soccer's governing body FIFA has been heavily criticised for an alleged lack of interest for the 32-team tournament in the United States. While some matches are played in front of half empty stadiums, the presence of South American fans has been crucial for the Club World Cup. KEY QUOTES: Boca Juniors coach Miguel Angel Russo: "The fans were amazing — but there's nothing new about that. Of course it hurts to lose, but our people are just incredible. Boca is about working together: team and fans. That's who we are. "Argentine football is special. It's a unique history. People here are passionate, intense. Our supporters have backed this team through everything, and we have to be up to the challenge." Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany: "I've had a long career and experienced a lot. There are times I want to be a player and tonight was one of those times. The crowd was hostile in the best possible way, and the game full of aggression in a good way. That's what I love about football. "We played against a big club with a fanbase that most fans would pay to watch." KEY NUMBERS: 60,626 - The average attendance at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium in four Club World Cup matches. The best attendance was on Friday with 63,587 supporters in the stands.
CNA
6 days ago
- Sport
- CNA
Boca Juniors still in the mix at Club World Cup but may rue Benfica draw
MIAMI :Boca Juniors are still in the hunt for a place in the Club World Cup knockout rounds after their 2-2 draw with Benfica on Monday but their task would have been so much easier had they not squandered a two-goal lead against the Portuguese side. Boca next face Group C favourites Bayern Munich, who thrashed Auckland City 10-0 in their opener, and the race to finish second behind the German champions could come down to goal difference. While Boca were competitive and showed they deserve to share the stage with a strong side like Benfica coach Miguel Angel Russo believes there is still a gap between South American and European teams. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT: Thousands of hardcore Boca Juniors fans are bringing extreme passion to the tournament and should the team exit before the knockout stages it would deal a heavy blow to the atmosphere at the event. On Monday, Boca Juniors fans turned the Hard Rock Stadium into a sea of blue and gold. KEY QUOTES: Boca Juniors captain Miguel Merentiel: "It's a strange feeling, to be honest. It leaves a bit of a bitter taste, and now it's about moving forward. Now, we'll focus on believing in ourselves, in our own tools, and we'll come out in the next match to give our best." Boca Juniors coach Russo: "Benfica suffered at times ... because Boca played a game they weren't expecting. "I think, at least for us Argentines, the gap is still very big with European teams. Maybe someday it'll close but not yet. We have to keep working, fighting, looking for ways." Benfica coach Bruno Lage: "We started the game well, we were the better team but we conceded two goals and it's difficult to accept. "Our first goal was important, then we made more runs into the box and we could have won the game."
The Star
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Soccer-Boca Juniors still in the mix at Club World Cup but may rue Benfica draw
Soccer Football - FIFA Club World Cup - Group C - Boca Juniors v Benfica - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, U.S. - June 16, 2025 Boca Juniors players look dejected after the match REUTERS/Hannah Mckay MIAMI (Reuters) -Boca Juniors are still in the hunt for a place in the Club World Cup knockout rounds after their 2-2 draw with Benfica on Monday but their task would have been so much easier had they not squandered a two-goal lead against the Portuguese side. Boca next face Group C favourites Bayern Munich, who thrashed Auckland City 10-0 in their opener, and the race to finish second behind the German champions could come down to goal difference. While Boca were competitive and showed they deserve to share the stage with a strong side like Benfica coach Miguel Angel Russo believes there is still a gap between South American and European teams. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT: Thousands of hardcore Boca Juniors fans are bringing extreme passion to the tournament and should the team exit before the knockout stages it would deal a heavy blow to the atmosphere at the event. On Monday, Boca Juniors fans turned the Hard Rock Stadium into a sea of blue and gold. KEY QUOTES: Boca Juniors captain Miguel Merentiel: "It's a strange feeling, to be honest. It leaves a bit of a bitter taste, and now it's about moving forward. Now, we'll focus on believing in ourselves, in our own tools, and we'll come out in the next match to give our best." Boca Juniors coach Russo: "Benfica suffered at times ... because Boca played a game they weren't expecting. "I think, at least for us Argentines, the gap is still very big with European teams. Maybe someday it'll close but not yet. We have to keep working, fighting, looking for ways." Benfica coach Bruno Lage: "We started the game well, we were the better team but we conceded two goals and it's difficult to accept. "Our first goal was important, then we made more runs into the box and we could have won the game." (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Straits Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Boca Juniors' Club World Cup chances depend on clashes with Europe's heavyweights, says coach
Boca Juniors coach Miguel Angel Russo arriving at Miami International Airport on June 9, ahead of the Club World Cup. PHOTO: REUTERS – Boca Juniors will begin their Club World Cup campaign knowing their chances of advancing to the knockout phase will largely depend on the outcome of their matches against Europe's heavyweights, coach Miguel Angel Russo said on June 15. Boca face Benfica at the Hard Rock Stadium on June 16 (June 17, Singapore time), a day after Bayern Munich obliterated Auckland City 10-0 in another Group C game. 'Bayern's opponents (Auckland City) are semi-professionals, and I don't mean any disrespect. Bayern and Benfica are at another level,' Russo, who just started his third stint as Boca coach, told a press conference. Asked about Boca's chances of advancing into the knockout stages of the 32-team tournament, Russo kept his eyes on the ball. 'What matters is tomorrow's game, we're not looking at what comes after this match,' he said. 'We know that in seven, eight days we'll play three matches, but the first one is the most important. Benfica are one of the great European clubs.' Boca can rely on getting a lot of support from the fans as Miami has been swarming with Argentinian supporters. More than a thousand Boca fans turned a slice of Miami's coastline into 'Boca Beach' on June 15, draping the shores of Bark Beach in blue and yellow on the eve of their team's Club World Cup debut. With drums pounding and chants echoing over the white sand, supporters grilled meat, waved flags and drank 'fernet con coca' – the bitter Argentinian aperitif mixed with cola – as bemused Floridians looked on. Beer flowed for hours under the Florida sun, with police observing calmly from a distance. Several dozen fans made their way from downtown Miami to join the seaside celebration, bringing more banners and unmistakable Argentinian energy. 'Our fans have always made the difference, they've always been there in the history of the club,' said Russo, who has yet to decide whether former Uruguay international Edinson Cavani, who has been dealing with injuries, will start. 'With Cavani we're taking it day-by-day,' he added. Meanwhile, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said on June 15 that he is confident new signing Liam Delap will become England's No. 9 after Harry Kane. Bayern Munich striker Kane has led the line for England for most of the last decade, but Delap is showing great potential, which led Chelsea to snap him up for £30 million (S$52.2 million) from relegated Ipswich Town earlier this month. 'I don't have any doubt that he can be in the future England's No. 9,' said Maresca on the eve of their Club World Cup opener against Los Angeles FC, when asked if Delap could succeed the 31-year-old Kane. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is confident new signing Liam Delap (above) will become England's No. 9 after Harry Kane. PHOTO: REUTERS The Italian would not confirm if the 22-year-old forward will start at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on June 16 but said Delap was not showing any nerves after taking the Blues' No. 9 shirt. Chelsea have signed several high-profile strikers in recent years who have struggled at the club, including Fernando Torres, Romelu Lukaku and Alvaro Morata. 'Liam knows quite well how important is the No. 9 for this club... I see him quite relaxed, easy, he's doing well, since he arrived, he's working well,' said Maresca. The 45-year-old coached Delap in Manchester City's Under-21 team previously and said the link between them would be mutually beneficial. REUTERS, AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
