Battaglia was clear: “Today I am far from Riquelme”

It was clear, without fluctuations. Sebastian Battaglia spoke about the relationship with Juan Roman Riquelme, after his departure from coaching Boca Juniors, in mid-2022.. At that time, there was controversy because his dismissal from coaching the club was confirmed, according to some accounts, at a service station. And He now referred to his former colleague and the current head of the foundation.

After Conmebol Libertadores was eliminated by Corinthians, Battaglia stopped coaching Boca on July 6, 2022. During the day after the fall, the coach was in the eye of the storm not only because of the fall in the La Bombonera penalty shootout, but also because of his subsequent statements that were interpreted as a harsh message towards the team.

From that moment on, the relationship between Battaglia and Riquelme, then vice-president of La Ribera, became complicated, even though the winningest player in Boca's history was in Román's emotional farewell match in June 2023.

“Today I am away from Riquelme. I went to his farewell match at La Bombonera because I felt I had to be there, out of respect for what was happening at that time. He was with me and he invited me to his party,” he said. Battaglia.

In conversation with mouth of choice, “We are civilized people, we can sit and talk and chat,” the former No. 5 said.

With Zenize as coach, Battaglia achieved 29 wins, 17 draws and 11 losses in the 57 matches he played. His most notable achievements were winning the 2021 Argentina Cup and the 2022 League Cup.

Today, Battaglia, another former figure at the club who was dismissed at this time as coach, like the subsequent case of Hugo Ibarra, made his position clear on the relationship with Riquelme, Boca's greatest idol.