Boca, Corinthians may miss players in Copa final

SAO PAULO (AP) — Boca Juniors and Corinthians may be without some of their regular starters when they face off in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final on Wednesday.

Boca Juniors is still trying to solve contractual issues involving defender Facundo Roncaglia, while Corinthians is waiting to see if midfielder Jorge Henrique will recover from a muscle injury.

Corinthians scored late to earn a 1-1 draw in the first leg last week in Argentina. The team will clinch its first title in Latin America's most important club competition with a home victory at Pacaembu stadium.

Boca Juniors is hoping to win its seventh Copa Libertadores trophy, which would draw it level with Argentine rival Independiente as the most successful clubs in the tournament's history.

Roncaglia was one of three players whose contracts with Boca Juniors expired after the first leg last week, along with forward Dario Cvitanich and defender Rolando Schiavi.

Boca Juniors said it was able to extend Schiavi's contract, but Cvitanich had already agreed to a deal with Ajax and Roncaglia was set to join Fiorentina.

Boca Juniors announced on Sunday that Ajax will allow Cvitanich to play in exchange for extra financial compensation to the Dutch club, but it was still waiting on an insurance deal that would let right back Roncaglia participate. The deal had not been made by Monday afternoon.

Roncaglia scored Boca Juniors' 73rd-minute goal in the first leg.

Boca Juniors coach Julio Cesar Falcioni closed the team's final practice on Sunday before it traveled to Sao Paulo on Monday.

Corinthians, in its first Copa Libertadores final, also practiced at the weekend but coach Tite could not count on Jorge Henrique, who injured his right thigh in the first leg at the La Bombonera and had to be replaced in the 39th minute.

Corinthians doctors say Jorge Henrique has a chance to play, but a decision won't be made until closer to Wednesday's match.

The defending Brazilian champion moved into good position to win the Copa Libertadores for the first time when substitute striker Romarinho scored an 85th-minute goal in Buenos Aires.

"Now we will be playing at home, in front of our fans," Corinthians playmaker Danilo told local media. "We have a chance to play better here, and hopefully it will be enough for us to win the title."

Romarinho is one of the players who could replace Jorge Henrique, along with Willian or veteran striker Liedson. Either way, Corinthians will remain at full strength in defense, its strong suit in this year's competition. The popular Brazilian club is yet to lose and has allowed only four goals in 13 matches so far.

Boca Juniors, playing in its 10th final, hasn't lost an away match in this year's tournament, winning three times and drawing three times on its way to the final against Corinthians.

Boca Juniors' only loss in this year's Copa Libertadores was at home against Brazil's Fluminense in the group stage.

The Argentine powerhouse will be trying to win its fifth title in 12 years, and the first since 2007.