Boca’s player ratings after 1-0 Copa Libertadores defeat to Barcelona SC | OneFootball

Boca Juniors slumped to their second straight Copa Libertadores defeat, losing 1-0 to Barcelona SC in Guayaquil, Héctor Villalba scoring the winner.

Leandro Brey departed injured midway through the first half after a heavy collision with Byron Castillo on a poor surface, Javier García replacing him. Santiago Ascacíbar was sent off for catching Milton Céliz in the head, though, according to LaNumer12.com.ar, Boca still fashioned several clear openings. Before the break, Leandro Paredes was elbowed by Céliz, who was dismissed.

After the interval, the hosts broke at speed and Héctor Villalba struck the only goal, with García blameless.

Tomás Aranda impressed after the restart, creating the best chance with a clever turn and pass that sent Miguel Merentiel through. The forward missed that and two other opportunities, while Marcelo Weigandt struggled and Lautaro Blanco was largely pinned back. Lautaro Di Lollo grew in authority, and Milton Delgado covered ground alongside Paredes.

Milton Giménez led the line with Adam Bareiro suspended after his red card in Brazil, but late substitutes Exequiel Zeballos, Alan Velasco and Ángel Romero could not change the game. Claudio Úbeda’s changes made little difference. Boca host Cruzeiro at La Bombonera in two weeks.

Source: LaNumer12.com.ar