Boca player ratings after 1-0 first-leg win over São Paulo | OneFootball

Boca edged São Paulo 1-0 at La Bombonera in the Copa Sudamericana quarter-final first leg, Miguel Merentiel settling a hard-fought tie to give them a slender lead before the trip to Morumbi.

Boca started slowly and were opened up early, but Álvaro Montero’s superb first-half stop from a Luciano header kept them level, then he made two more saves after the break. According to LaNumer12.com.ar, the keeper remains decisive, though his work on crosses still needs work.

Facundo Herrera shackled Calleri and was outstanding. Lautaro Di Lollo dominated in the air and went close from a corner. Lautaro Blanco defended stoutly, raided forward and swept in the low centre that led to the winner.

Leandro Paredes was below his best yet still dictated tempo, including a clever dummy in the build-up to the goal. Santiago Ascacibar, after a bout of flu, kept things simple. Tomás Belmonte settled after an uncertain start and drew the booking that rules Calleri out of the return.

Alan Velasco improved on the left and fed Blanco before the decisive move, while Leonel Flores endured a quiet night, brighter after switching to the right. Merentiel, not fully fit after fever in the week, forced the ball in at the second attempt.

Sebastián Villa’s late cameo was loose, though he did track back, and Enner Valencia was booked shortly after coming on. Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s plan grew after the hydration break as Boca took control, taking a valuable edge to Brazil.

Source: LaNumer12.com.ar

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