Boca Juniors forced to turn away fans from practice at La Bombonera

Boca Juniors’ management on Thursday was forced to turn away fans eager to watch the Argentine club’s last practice session at La Bombonera Stadium before the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final.

That second mach against crosstown arch-rival River Plate will be played on Saturday at Buenos Aires’ El Monumental Stadium, River’s home ground.

For security reasons, no Boca fans will be allowed to attend the second leg of the final of South America’s premier club soccer tournament. Likewise, no River fans were in attendance at La Bombonera for the Nov. 11 first leg, which ended in a 2-2 draw.

“La Bombonera is already full (with fans) cheering on our players. We apologize to everyone who won’t be able to go in, but there are millions of us ... Thank you, thank you!!” the club said on its Twitter account.

Thousands of fans waited in long lines starting early Thursday in Buenos Aires’ La Boca district in hopes of seeing the team’s last practice before the title-deciding match.