Arruabarrena on the draw, Aranda up front and Villa praise | OneFootball

Rodolfo Arruabarrena analyzed Boca’s draw against Platense on matchday five of the 2026 Torneo Clausura. The Boca coach justified the tactical inclusion of Tomás Aranda as a false striker, detailed the injury report that is raising alarms at the club from La Ribera ahead of the international competition, and praised Sebastián Villa despite the fact that he played poorly.

The team from La Ribera drew 1-1 away to El Calamar in the fifth round of the domestic tournament, in a match marked by balance and a lack of fluency in creating plays. Despite falling behind after a defensive error, the Xeneize side reacted in time in the second half to rescue a point that leaves mixed feelings within the coaching staff.

After the match, the coach analyzed the ups and downs of the game and highlighted his players’ composure in overcoming the unfavorable scoreline at Ciudad de Vicente López Stadium. “At one point we were imprecise, rushed. We had to make changes at halftime and Platense took the lead. That’s where I think we showed our best football. We had the personality and character to stay calm at times, not so much at others, to keep pushing, and I think that’s where we created what we’re used to having, chances. We equalized and then at the end we had three or four more, but I think the draw was the fairest result,” said the man in charge.

The team in Vicente López. Photo: Gerónimo Marino/La Número 12.

With this point earned away from home, the blue and gold side remains far from the top spots in the local tournament while facing a demanding schedule with the Sudamericana and the Copa Argentina. The run of official matches is beginning to take its toll physically, forcing the coach to manage workloads and rethink alternatives in the starting lineup.

Arruabarrena explained the tactical system

One of the most striking football decisions by the Boca coach was to go with a setup without a classic center forward from the start, using Tomás Aranda in that role to surprise the opposing back line.

“We tried not to give their center backs any reference points, to use pace out wide with Sebastián (Villa) and Leo (Flores), try to keep the ball, create superiority in midfield and, yes, try to get quickly to the flanks to deliver crosses. And because of his characteristics, the Ruso (Ascacíbar) would come in, Tomi (Aranda), and on the other side the winger who can beat his man. But there were moments when it worked and we lacked better finishing, more presence in attack, and in the second half or at halftime we changed things because of this overload, these discomforts, and that’s when we brought on Miguel,” the coach explained.

Likewise, the tactician praised the squad’s mental response in the face of adversity: “That’s it, there’s not much more to it, no other secret. I congratulate my players because we showed character again. We also have to work and at some point we need to be the ones who start by taking the lead. But it was a difficult moment, and when things were at their toughest we dared to play, and that’s a sign of character. Now we have to rest and start preparing for the Sudamericana match.”

Arruabarrena and the outlook for the players carrying knocks

The physical wear and tear took its toll in the match against the Vicente López side, leaving aftereffects that the medical staff will have to assess thoroughly in the coming hours to determine the next steps.

“Marco (Pellegrino), we’ll have to see the tests, but at first it looks like an overload. We’ll see over these next few days, this week, same with Lozano. And Lea (Paredes) had some discomfort, but I don’t think it’s anything serious,” said the club’s top technical authority as he looked ahead to putting together the squad list for the upcoming challenges.

The flaw of falling behind first, from the coach’s perspective

The first half showed cracks in the team’s buildup play and little attacking depth, a recurring factor that concerns the coaching staff at the club from La Ribera, although El Vasco played it down: “The first half was 45 minutes in which there weren’t many chances at either end. I think Álvaro (Montero) made one save, we had a couple of overlaps, but nothing very clear. And I have to watch the goal again, it’s a long ball, there’s a bit of bad luck because Lozano takes it and leaves it right for their forward.”

“Yes, we have to try to start by taking the lead. But I repeat, I’m satisfied with the character this group and these kids showed. The players who came on entered a match that was already well advanced, with a lot of minutes gone. It’s difficult to come in like that and they responded. Now it’s time to prepare, rest, and in three days it’s the Sudamericana. So there are no excuses, this is what we choose and we know what we’re dealing with. We choose this, I always choose what’s best, and if one falls, another will step onto the pitch,” he said emphatically.

For Arruabarrena, Boca deserved the win against Platense

Despite the final scoreline being level, the Xeneize coach’s reading was that Boca did enough in the final stretch of the match to take all three points from a venue that had 5,000 fans supporting the players.

Xeneize drew 1-1 against Platense. Photo: Gerónimo Marino/La Número 12.

“In the last 25 minutes, after their goal, that’s when we showed our best football. That’s why I stress the character and personality of the boys. The first half was a mediocre one from both teams, feeling each other out. It’s true that we had more possession, more of the ball, because of our characteristics, but we also didn’t get very deep and they had, I think, one that Álvaro saved. But that’s it. I think based on the chances, and looking at the last 30 minutes, we had the clearer opportunities,” he argued.

El Vasco said Valencia will travel to Paraguay

With the continental stage in mind, the Boca delegation will include Enner Valencia among the traveling squad for the Copa Sudamericana clash to be played on Tuesday the 18th at 7 p.m. at Defensores del Chaco Stadium.

“Enner is working, he’s doing it with the group, doing specific work. This morning he worked with both Tanque Giménez and Alarcón, and he’s doing well, we’re bringing him along. We’ll see the squad list we take, although today I can already tell you, we’re all going, so there won’t be much of a list,” he commented.

Enner Valencia will travel to Paraguay. Photo: Javier Martino/CABJ Press.

Along those same lines, and regarding the lack of a center forward in the match against El Calamar, El Vasco added: “There are times when, because of our characteristics, we can play with a false nine like we did today, thinking about trying to attack down the flanks, depending on the opponent, depending on how we are. But well, I always like to try to play with a reference point, whether it’s Enner, Tanque or Miguel,” he concluded about the attacking plan.

Despite his poor level, Arruabarrena praised Villa

The Colombian winger had another poor match and did not make an impact at any point during the 74 minutes he was on the pitch. He made all the wrong decisions, was unable to dribble past defenders, and did not complete a single cross out of the seven he attempted. However, the coach maintained that “today he had a good game.”

Boca’s starting lineup against Platense in the 2026 Clausura. Photo: Gerónimo Marino/La Número 12.

“Honestly, I see Sebastián growing. Maybe there were moments when we looked for him a lot, moments when we didn’t look for him much, but he’s only been here a month. There’s an adaptation process: even though he has played for the club before, there’s still an adaptation to the group. I liked how Sebastián played. Obviously, we know he didn’t do preseason with us, but we can talk, we can discuss and see which parameters he’s still lacking. I was very satisfied with what Sebastián did and he will surely bring us a lot of joy,” he concluded in the press conference.

Keep reading:

Where Boca stands in the Clausura table after drawing with Platense

When Boca will play again after the draw with Platense

Boca’s player ratings in the draw against Martín Palermo’s Platense

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