Boca began Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s second cycle with a win and a ticket to the round of 16 of the Copa Argentina. With goals from Alan Velasco and youngster Leonel Flores, the Xeneize defeated Sarmiento de Junín 2-0 at Newell’s stadium in the round of 32 of the tournament. In the next stage, the opponent will be Vélez, although next week’s calendar will test them internationally in the Copa Sudamericana.
El Vasco is on his third stint at the club: he debuted as a player in 1993, won the Apertura 1998, Clausura 1999, and Copa Libertadores 2000 titles, and served as coach from 2014 to 2016. He hadn’t experienced Argentine football in a decade, and although the return wasn’t a priority, the call changed the scenario. Aware of the demands, challenges pile up on the calendar. On Thursday the 23rd, they will begin the round of 16 series against O’Higgins of Chile in the Copa Sudamericana.
Playing in the second most important tournament organized by Conmebol is the result of the cycle led by Claudio Úbeda, who failed to qualify Boca for the Copa Libertadores round of 16 after losing to Universidad Católica. From that match against the Chileans to the one played last night in Rosario, Boca’s lineup featured seven changes. Some were forced, such as the absence of Leandro Paredes, who will play for Argentina against Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday in the United States. The natural replacement was Tomás Belmonte, but the midfielder suffered an ankle sprain. Another name on the injury list is Adam Bareiro, who had a double tear and added a lumbar ailment.
The debut of youngster Flores, 19, whom Arruabarrena promoted to the first team, was a standout element: he showed poise, flair, and goal-scoring ability. In Boca’s new order, generals like Edinson Cavani and Ander Herrera left; also departing were Nicolás Orsini (free agent) and Agustín Martegani (on loan to Independiente Medellín). In terms of reinforcements, the signings of Leandro Lozano ($3,500,000 from Argentinos), goalkeeper Álvaro Montero (last at Vélez, paid around US$4,000,000), and the return of Sebastián Villa, after negotiating with Independiente Rivadavia for a payment of US$6,500,000, broke through.
Of the three additions, only Lozano debuted and took over the right-back position. The Uruguayan was one of seven names different from the end of Úbeda’s cycle. The remaining six: Nicolás Figal and Ayrton Costa took the places of Lautaro Di Lollo and Marco Pellegrino in central defense; in midfield, Santiago Ascacibar and Alan Velasco appeared (in May, Herrera and Paredes played), while in attack, Miguel Merentiel and Flores replaced Exequiel Zeballos (could move to Napoli) and Milton Giménez.
Fans have yet to escape the atmosphere generated by Argentina’s victory over England, and in the stands occupied by Boca supporters, a banner read «Thank you Argentine soldiers» and a couple with the silhouette of the Falkland Islands. With the teams on the field, the chant «he who doesn’t jump is an Englishman» erupted at Newell’s stadium.
In the game, Boca quickly took control and showed a pattern: partnerships on the flanks. Lautaro Blanco and Velasco on the left; Lozano and Flores on the right. Break through the wings and finish through the middle, the mission. They accumulated chances, always hovered around the area of a weak opponent like Sarmiento, but only in the second half did they break the deadlock. From outside the area, Velasco opened the path to victory, which Flores sealed. With the lead, the coach rotated players, seeking competitiveness for a spot in the team: Kevin Zenón, Carlos Palacios, Williams Alarcón, and Ángel Romero came off the bench.
Boca had to win and celebrated, while recycling with an old acquaintance, Arruabarrena.
Para mí Boca ganó pero el equipo sigue siendo una cagada, Arruabarrena es un muerto que no sabe armar un once, Sarmiento es de la B, no me vengan con payasadas. La Sudamericana es un chiste, tenemos que dejar de ser tan tibios y volver a la libertad, carajo!
Para mí Boca es el único grande de verdad. Sarmiento? unos muertos, no dan la talla. Arruabarrena la tiene clarísima, estos dos triunfos son solo el principio. Vamos a barrer con Vélez y a por la Sudamericana. Aguante Boca, los demás son todos bosteros.