Boca
presented the two additions for the 2024 season. The press conference in the Bombonera room was announced for 7:00 p.m., but it started an hour later.
President
Juan Román Riquelme
sat in the middle, while
Cristian Lema
sat to the right of him and
Kevin Zenón
to the left.
Román dedicated complimentary words to both reinforcements, reaffirmed Boca's decision to hold the preseason in the country before leaving both alone with the press.
He also had time for some sharp darts, as he is used to.
River, who chose to do the preseason in the United States, was the first targeted.
"We have made the decision for each preseason to do it in our country, because going to play in Salta or Córdoba is a wonderful day, because people can take photos, they can hug our players
," said Riquelme.
"THE LORD MADE HIMSELF BEGGED A LITTLE MORE..." Riquelme introduced Zenón and made reference to the negotiation with Unión.
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And he continued:
"Cristian was lucky, it would have been very nice for Kevin to enjoy it but the president of the Union (Luis Spahn) made it a little long, so you missed all that
. "
Then it was Lema's turn.
The defender expressed:
“As the president said, it is a dream, I am very happy.
Every step that led me to be here means that I did things right.
What I've experienced so far is something beautiful, seeing the people, the passion of a club as big as Boca, I came with the aim of enjoying it
." For his part, the former Unión commented:
“One always dreams of playing here. As a child I dreamed "To play here like my whole family. I want to start as soon as possible, I'm really enjoying it and I'm very happy
. "
"QUALITY? YOU HAVE TO ASK THEM THAT, I THINK."
Cristian Lema analyzed his strengths in the game.
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The former Lanús player, meanwhile, highlighted the virtues of his career:
“I always prioritized sacrifice, will, trying to correct myself a lot and putting things in.
After qualities I can say aerial play and marking, I must fulfill everything to play in the First Division.
"I want everything to be enhanced in this club and to work on my limitations to the maximum and perform on the field
. "
The 22-year-old midfielder, for his part, once again expressed his happiness at being in Boca:
“Riquelme is an idol for me, we have sung his goals in our city, we are fans and we remember the goals he has scored.
"I want to thank him for being here and I want to return that trust that he had in me
. "
Play EVERYTHING!
Attention to Zenón and his analysis of the functions he can fulfill on the field...
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— SportsCenter (@SC_ESPN) January 23, 2024
One of the good news for Boca was the AFA amnesty for those expelled, therefore,
Diego Martínez
will be able to count on Lema for his debut in Vicente López, who still had to purge two dates for the League Cup and 4 for the Argentine Cup.
Regarding the chance to start as a starter from the first day, since
Marcos Rojo
is also injured, Lema stated:
“I want to wish Marcos Rojo a speedy recovery, it is very important for us.
I didn't expect to get in so quickly.
I want to fulfill what the coach asks of me: have order and constantly attack.
"We have to score in attack and it is not easy to play in the middle of the field with players faster than us, but what we put into practice is work
. "
Meanwhile, Zenón confessed that he was always interested in the Boca world:
“From the first moment I asked Toro Morales to know what everything was like, that they passed through this club.
They always told me that it was the best thing he had, that he enjoyed it a lot, because you can't experience what you experience here anywhere else.
I was going to realize it after every game I had to play.
The coach (Killy González) told me that he should be very calm and very humble
. "
Finally, both highlighted the good reception they received from the fans.
After finishing the press conference, Riquelme together with
Raúl Cascini
, a member of the Football Council, gave both players, who had arrived in civilian clothes, the shirts with the numbers that they will use.
Lema will play with the 2 that Facundo Roncaglia
left
, while Zenón will play with the 22, the one used by the Colombian
Sebastián Villa
, who left the club after being sentenced to two and a half years of pressure for having beaten and threatened his ex partner.