Do not shout “We want the Cup”, even if it is an international tournament. The seventh will not be possible because Mouth it could not be classified Liberators. So the objective is the third one, that South American who was able to win in 2004 and 2005 and although it may seem like a consolation prize, it is mandatory. So the fan starts cold, trying to adapt to the situation. To the point of losing patience because the duel cannot be resolved in front of the humble Trinidense sportsman -penultimate of the Paraguay tournament-. And the stands sing to the rhythm of “Move, stop doing bullshit”. The best was yet to come, of course. From the bench, when Kevin Zenón enters the scene, his face changes and victory becomes certainty.
Boca had difficulty moving forward. Until Diego Martínez got involved and didn’t just castle the artists; Also, the pace has changed. Zenón offers a dynamic that Vicente Taborda, a young prostitute, has neither Pol Fernández, faded in the responsibility of leading the team. Luis Advíncula and Lautaro Blanco are deeper than Marcelo Saracchi and Nicolás Figal. With them on the pitch, victory was possible. Short, opaque and with the fear of VAR, but necessary at home.
In the first half, Boca managed the ball, dominated the match, but did not infect the stands, beyond the encouragement. It is true that Martínez made a deep rotation thinking about the duel against Estudiantes, those 63 pending minutes that could guarantee qualification for the League Cup quarter-finals. Furthermore, it is not the most seductive trophy on the banks of the Riachuelo. However, the story and that hierarchical difference warranted a better performance in the opening forty-five minutes.
Zeno, It’s here Fernández (both on the bench) nor Cristian Medina (injured), the midfield had Mauricio Benítez leaving and Pol Fernández in management. So, all movements were slower. With Nicolás Figal and Marcelo Saracchi on the flanks, even if they alternated their projection, there was less surprise on the wing. The most disruptive was Jabes Saralegui, who tried at least from medium distance.
In this context, Edinson Cavani and Miguel Merentiel remained trapped between the two blocks that the Paraguayans built, aboard a 4-5-1 that never gave in, partly due to the order and concentration with which they faced the match and for quite a while due to the lack of mobility that Boca showed in the final meters.
There were a couple of situations, obviously, but none so dangerous as to compromise Víctor Samudio. Nice combination between Taborda – almost a hook – and Cavani which the goalkeeper interrupted when Merentiel licked his lips entering the match; a low shot from Nicolás Valentini – who has always played away from Sergio Romero – which the Guaraní number one sends to a corner; and a preview from the same central defender that Saralegui opened for Figal, who lacked the dough to finish with his left foot.
Trinidense grouped well and pulled off some counterattacks when they could. The most incisive was Brian Andrada, who covered the entire right flank. However, he just had a chance and came up with a weak shot that Chiquito easily controlled. Later, Pedro Delvalle strikes from the left, the ball bounces off Figal and Romero hits it over the crossbar.
In the second half the Trinidense comes alive. Thanks to the good management of Luis De la Cruz and the confusion of Boca, he got dangerously close to Romero. The public noticed this situation and began to apply pressure. “We encourage, we lay eggs and we win,” was the message. Martínez made three changes. Zenón, Blanco and Advíncula entered. Then Pol came out and Darío Benedetto came in to create a 4-3-3.
And Boca has recovered speed and aggression. Samudio stifles Cavani’s scream, but in the next action comes the goal from Anselmino, who heads Blanco’s cross into the sky of the area overcoming the resistance of the visiting goalkeeper.
José Arrúa reinforces himself with more attackers, Trinidense pushes and VAR warns Gustavo Tejera of a handball by Advíncula. The Uruguayan referee reviewed the action on the monitor and observed a natural movement from the Peruvian.
The fans were happy with the first victory in the South American and for the continuity of successes, beyond the discontinuities in performance.
Source: Clarin
Jason Root is the go-to source for sports coverage at News Rebeat. With a passion for athletics and an in-depth knowledge of the latest sports trends, Jason provides comprehensive and engaging analysis of the world of sports.