Boca, Argentine Cup semi-finalist: from the violence in the stands against Gimnasia to Brey’s consecrating penalties to Gago’s first joy

Four penalties. Left and right. With reflexes and agility. With a vengeful task because he was responsible for the equalizing goal that led to this definition. Leandro Brey put the team on his shoulders. Or in your hands, of course. And he ended up being the figure of the first great success Fernando Gago. Mouth he should have batted in the nineties Gymnastics La Platabut he ended up clinging to his young goalkeeper, replacing the interrogated man Sergio Romeronothing less. AND qualified for the semi-finals of the Argentina Cupinstance where you wait Velezchampionship leader. I needed it to face this journey that had just begun with an important emotional boost.

The debut was so disappointing that Gago had to make some changes. Of names, obviously. But also of scheme. And if there is something that the coach has learned it is that his idea, however convinced, must adapt to the team he has. In this sense he understood that the 4-3-3 was not possible if he wanted to play with Miguel Merentiel and Edinson Cavani, two centre-forwards. Then he implemented a 4-2-3-1, the scheme with which he ended up managing Chivas, with the players in their natural positions.

The Uruguayans share the manifesto, but Cavani is the reference and his compatriot has retreated a few meters further back. Unlike the match against Tigre in Victoria, where he played on the left, almost as a winger, in a midfield position and more centred, he connected much more to the game. Even if the difference was made by the wings, Brain Aguirre and, above all, Exequiel Zeballos.

Him Changuito He was unstoppable every time he tackled. He started from the right, taking advantage of his better profile, and created many difficulties for Rodrigo Gallo. Furthermore, a Norberto Briascowho had to return to collaborate on the brand. The lateral work is also interesting. Although they climb into several bindings, they usually close to allow the ends to overflow.

Behind them, Ignacio Miramon he felt freer to play with him Thomas Belmonte in a double five that covered the spaces well, which he recovered and was good opposition for the La Plata midfielders.

The goal came quickly. It came from a stopped ball executed by Aguirre. A clearance comes from the area, Zeballos allows Advíncula and the Peruvian hits a cross for Aaron Anselmino, who arrives free and heads towards the goal. Marcos Ledesma cushions, but does not block the shot of the boy from Pampa who will play for Chelsea.

Boca was direct, they didn’t accumulate many passes. And he almost doubled his lead with a free kick from Cavani just wide.

Gimnasia, on the other hand, presented a 4-3-3 in which they stood out on the flanks. In the center he touched the ball with Augusto Max or Enzo Martínez and opened the game for Matías Abaldo on the right or Briasco on the left. Sometimes it went deeper. However, he never troubled Leandro Brey, who replaced the questioned Sergio Romero. There have been lateral centers that ended up being rejected by the Xeneizes defenders or went astray.

Boca was getting closer and closer. Finally, Merentiel played a powerful pass to Zeballos, but Ledesma saved in time. Changuito scores a goal on the rebound and the goalkeeper blocks it again.

The second half was delayed by incidents in the stands and when it began, after concerns, Boca entered with two substitutions that revealed their intentions. Despite his good level, Aguirre made way for Kevin Zenón and Zeballos moved to the left. Marcelo Saracchi also came in for Blanco, role by role.

and the Changuito He left in the other elevator. From his overflow and from the center behind, Boca could have shouted the second goal. Cavani, however, attacks and with the goal free he explodes the crossbar. It was an unbeatable opportunity for the Uruguayan.

Then Marcelo Méndez moved the bench. And Pablo De Blasis and David Salazar came in very well. An easy-to-handle steering wheel with fast forward movement. But Boca had Gimnasia on the ropes. If there hadn’t been Ledesma’s great save – on Saracchi’s left – he would have finished him off at that moment.

Until the corner kick arrives, Salazar executes and Brey, who until then had shown confidence, misses in the sky of the area. The ball goes past him and bounces off Rojo, besieged by De Blasis. The goal against gave Gimnasia the equalizer.

Gago was disconcerted by the changes. He took out Zeballos, the sharpest, and entered Milton Giménez. Cavani was no longer there, replaced by Pol Fernández. Nicolás Figal subsequently came in and Advíncula was installed as a midfielder.

Boca cornered Gimnasia, but failed to reach the area. And in the end, Baliño’s refereeing was taintedwho spared the lives of Castro, Garayalde – he wounded Zenón – and Pol Fernández. The referee’s job was embarrassing.

And the sanctions arrived. And Brey appeared in his full dimension. Even when Merentiel and Giménez made mistakes, the goalkeeper became a hero and Boca experienced a night of happiness after many difficulties.