Boca ratings after big win over Católica in Libertadores opener | OneFootball

Boca comes into the clásico against Independiente on a high. After the win over Talleres de Córdoba, the squad traveled to Chile to begin its Copa Libertadores campaign, and did so with a huge victory. They beat Universidad Católica 2-1, thanks to goals from Leandro Paredes and Adam Bareiro, in Group D.

The Xeneize took the first step in the famous “Group of Death” with a stellar performance from Leandro Paredes, as he has us used to in every match he plays in the domestic tournament. Below are the ratings for each of the main figures:

Leandro Brey (5)

Unlike in previous matches, he looked confident with the ball at his feet every time the team played out from the back. He did not have much action in the first half. In the second half, diving to his opposite side, he denied a Fernando Zampedri header that was headed for the top corner. But at the end, he bore a small share of responsibility for Juan Díaz’s goal.

Marcelo Weigandt (5)

Right back remains one of the most questioned positions. A positive match for Chelo, who mixed good moments with a few mistakes. He could have received a card for a hard challenge on Clemente Montes that the referee overlooked. He took a very heavy blow to the knee area. He finished with ice on it and will undergo tests.

Lautaro Di Lollo (6)

Solid defensively. Without too many complications. He alternated with Costa in marking Zampedri. They controlled him well, and he won almost every aerial and ground duel.

Ayrton Costa (6)

With every match, the starting center-back pairing looks more settled. They neutralized Zampedri inside the box, where he was barely involved in Universidad Católica’s attack. They denied him a goal.

Lautaro Blanco (6)

He had to battle against Clemente Montes’s speed. He lost and won several duels. He once again had an impact in Boca’s attacks every time he pushed forward to break down the Cruzados defense. A great low cross, with just the right speed and power for Bareiro, made it 2-0.

Leandro Paredes (9)

Nothing more needs to be said about the captain that isn’t already known. Left all alone and with all the freedom in the world, he had time to think and run Boca’s game exactly how he wanted.

Leandro Paredes scored the first goal of the match. Photo: Geraldo Caso Bizama/Getty Images.

He took advantage of a poor clearance by Díaz that fell short and fired home a powerful shot to make it 1-0. He was booked in the middle of the commotion. He found Aranda several times in the second half, and the second goal came from one of those moves.

Santiago Ascacibar (7)

Very active on the right. Alongside Delgado, he focused on closing down the inside spaces for the Chilean side’s midfielders. When he could, he pushed forward toward the box. He received a great pass from Paredes, controlled it with his chest and hit a left-footed volley that Vicente Bernedo saved.

Milton Delgado (6)

A box-to-box midfielder. He was everywhere. He covered the spaces at right back every time Weigandt went forward and Universidad Católica launched a counterattack. With a delicate touch, he sent Costa through one-on-one; Costa chipped it over the goalkeeper, but it was cleared off the line.

Tomás Aranda (7)

He grew into the game. For the first 45 minutes, he barely touched the ball. He was not involved and seemed on his way to one of his worst matches. However, everything changed in the second half. He linked up with Paredes, who kept looking for him, cut inside and with a backheel laid it off to Blanco at the start of Bareiro’s goal. He had a chance to score himself, but his shot went just wide of the far post.

Miguel Merentiel (5)

La Bestia is not at his best level. Even with his lack of goals, one thing that is never up for negotiation is his effort. He pressed in the opponent’s buildup and forced Díaz’s mistake on Paredes’s goal.

Adam Bareiro (7)

He did the center forward’s job. He battled and wrestled with the center-backs. He went into every challenge. He was not too involved, but with the first ball he touched he put it in the back of the net. He appeared behind all the defenders and only had to tap the ball in.

Ander Herrera (5)

He came on in the 70th minute for Merentiel. He brought experience and control in midfield at a point in the match when it was needed.

Milton Giménez, Juan Barinaga and Marco Pellegrino (-)

Too few minutes to be rated. Giménez and Barinaga played only 15 minutes, and it was enough for them to get some time on the pitch, as they were not very involved. Pellegrino came on in the final moments as a third center-back after Universidad Católica pulled one back and pushed for the equalizer.

Claudio Úbeda (8)

One of Úbeda’s best setups in recent times. Little by little, he is beginning to find the team, the shape, and the style of play he wants to impose in every match.

Sifón, approved. Photo: Rodrigo Arangua/AFP via Getty Images.

He made the changes he had to make at exactly the right times, especially bringing on Marco Pellegrino to add defensive aerial strength, considering Universidad Católica were chasing the equalizer.

Keep reading:

Boca beat Universidad Católica in their 2026 Copa Libertadores debut

How to watch Boca vs. Universidad Católica live and free online

Boca’s new official statement on the expansion of La Bombonera

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.