The Apertura title seemed to have asserted Carlos Ischia as coach, but now there are issues that are once again putting him on the hot seat. A title repeat seems out of the question now, so all of their proverbial eggs are in the Copa Libertadores basket and the pressure seems to mount on all ends for Ischia, even in areas where he least expected them. Three of the club’s most promising players are out with serious injuries. Youngster Ezequiel Muñoz was diagnosed with an ACL tear after Sunday’s loss to Rosario Central. Muñoz, 18, was recently called up to international duty by Diego Maradona for Argentina’s senior side. What makes news even worse is that young goalscorer Ricardo Noir, who emerged in the absence of Martín Palermo last season, was diagnosed with a leg fracture and will be out for two months. This compounds the situation as Juan Román Riquelme (plantar fasciitis) and Julio César Cáceres (muscle fatigue) are questionable for Thursday’s Copa Libertadores group finale against Táchira at La Bombonera. It is also very hard to work with Carlos Bianchi in the wings. There are also rumors coming from within the club that Ischia has lost the team as well as his focus. 
He has given very little room for newly hired manager Carlos Bianchi to help out the side. According to various reports, the Ischia-Bianchi relationship has also deteriorated. This is the worst part of it all as Ischia was Bianchi’s assistant during his first stint as Xeneize coach. He seemed to be battling different fights that had nothing to do with the handling of the club, most noticeably the situation with Mauricio Caranta. There are certain moments when people can point at and say that this was the beginning of the end. For Ischia it could have been the two-match losing streak coming out of the gate. Others will argue his impotence against an energized Rosario Central side with former Boca coach Miguel Ángel Russo at the helm. Ischia seems to have lost every single ally on the team and there is no way he can get them back. Right now Ischia will remain with the club until Boca remain in the Libertadores. After that, who knows what will happen. Things are not set in stone and the coach might not end up getting the sack if they do not win the Copa Libertadores. What is guaranteed though is that there has been enough damage done by the Boca coach that his days are numbered at La Boca. So that means that Carlos Bianchi will take over? No. According to his contract, Bianchi will not replace Ischia in the event the latter were to lose his job. The talk of coaches like former Lanús coach Ramón Cabrero and crowd favorite Alfio Basile would be looked at to take over the reings. The alarm is starting to go off as they do not want to endure the River Plate curse. They do not want to be the defending champ and wend up in last place. Boca currently find themselves in 15th place with 12 points, only three points clear of cellar-dwelling Argentinos Juniors.
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