# Pedro Troglio's History of Eliminating Boca Juniors in Copa Argentina Banfield coach seeks to replicate his 2018 tactical upset against the Argentine giant. - **Source:** [Olé](https://www.ole.com.ar) - **Published:** 2026-11-12 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/5f6ee6e4-7804-4a29-a650-672b63a1044d ## A Proven Tactical Giant-Killer Pedro Troglio, currently managing Banfield, prepares for a high-stakes Copa Argentina clash against Boca Juniors. The coach carries the psychological advantage of having previously eliminated the Xeneize in 2018. This history serves as a significant narrative backdrop as he aims to secure a spot in the tournament's grand final match. ## The 2018 Córdoba Upset In September 2018, Troglio led Gimnasia La Plata to a historic victory against Boca at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium. Despite Gimnasia's administrative instability and poor league standing at the time, the team executed a disciplined defensive plan that neutralized the reigning two-time Argentine champions under manager Guillermo Barros Schelotto. ## Early Setbacks for Boca The 2018 encounter saw Boca Juniors struggle early when striker Darío Benedetto was forced off the pitch after just 11 minutes due to a right femoral biceps strain. His replacement, Carlos Tevez, failed to spark the offense, as Gimnasia’s organized tactical structure effectively prevented Boca from creating meaningful chances against goalkeeper Alexis Martín Arias. ## The Decisive Substitution Troglio’s tactical gamble occurred in the 65th minute when he introduced 17-year-old Venezuelan striker Jan Hurtado. With only 55 minutes of prior experience for the club, the teenager proved to be the match-winner. He outmaneuvered defender Lisandro Magallán to score the decisive goal just one minute before the final whistle blew. ## A Rare Tournament Feat Following the victory over Boca, Troglio’s Gimnasia eliminated Central Córdoba and eventually defeated Marcelo Gallardo’s River Plate in the semifinals via penalty shootout. This made them the first team to eliminate both Boca and River in a single Copa Argentina edition, a rare achievement later matched by Patronato in the 2022 season. ## The Final Heartbreak Despite the historic run, Troglio’s 2018 campaign ended in disappointment during the final against Rosario Central. After a 1-1 draw in regulation time, Gimnasia faltered in the penalty shootout, settling for the runner-up position. This memory remains a driving force for the coach as he seeks personal redemption in the current tournament. ## Parallels in Current Challenges Banfield currently faces an irregular performance record and administrative pressures similar to the environment Troglio navigated at Gimnasia in 2018. These shared circumstances suggest that the coach is comfortable operating under organizational uncertainty. He relies on tactical discipline to bridge the gap between his squad's current form and the elite status of Boca. ## Looking Toward the Future As Troglio prepares his current side, the football community recalls how Boca eventually signed Jan Hurtado, the very player who eliminated them in 2018. This upcoming match represents more than just a semifinal berth; it is a test of whether Troglio can once again outmaneuver a giant despite facing significant institutional headwinds. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.ole.com.ar/banfield/banfield-copa-argentina-pedro-troglio-semifinal-boca-juniors-rodolfo-arruabarrena_0_q6K5Fnz7R6.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._