Boca’s player ratings from fiery draw with Cruzeiro at La Bombonera | OneFootball

After being eliminated in the Round of 16 of the Torneo Apertura, all of Boca’s focus is now on qualifying for the next stage of the Copa Libertadores, where they depend on themselves. The Xeneize drew 1-1 with Cruzeiro on Matchday 5 of Group D at La Bombonera, with Miguel Merentiel scoring the goal.

Claudio Úbeda’s team had a great first half, in which the 1-0 scoreline felt narrow compared to the performance they put on, and a bigger lead seemed likely. However, after the break, the Brazilians grew into the game and found the equalizer. VAR played a key role and once again ended up hurting Boca. The ratings for the club from La Ribera.

Boca drew at La Bombonera. Photo: Gerónimo Marino/La Número 12.

Leandro Brey (6)

A great stop in a one-on-one against Kaio Jorge in the closing moments of the first half. Cruzeiro found their goal through a powerful shot by Fagner that Brey managed to get a hand to, but it wasn’t enough to keep it out. Another huge save in a one-on-one, this time against Néiser Villarreal.

Malcom Braida (6)

Without being a specialist at right back, he did enough to keep the position—in his first start there—which neither Weigandt nor Barinaga had managed to make the most of in their appearances. A solid first half, standing out for the fouls he drew when building from the back and in attack, as well as his long balls into the opposition box.

Lautaro Di Lollo (6)

He was barely involved during the first 45 minutes. In his few interventions, he looked solid in every duel. But in the second half, the story was different despite having some chance to contribute in attack. He lost a key duel against Villarreal and Brey bailed him out.

Ayrton Costa (5)

He had no major problems in defense. Whenever he was tested, he responded well and firmly in every duel. He received a yellow card and will now have to serve a one-match suspension. He will miss the clash against Universidad Católica at La Bombonera.

Lautaro Blanco (6)

As the minutes went by, he settled into the match. True to his style, he was very active going forward. He pushed up constantly to create 2-v-1 situations against the Brazilian defense, although he lacked a bit of precision with his crosses.

Tomás Belmonte (5)

He made his Copa Libertadores debut. A decent performance in which he linked up well with Braida on the right. He drew a few fouls and leaned toward attack, though without causing too much danger. He contributed defensively and was substituted 20 minutes into the second half.

Leandro Paredes (7)

The boss of midfield and dead-ball situations. Every corner from the left was whipped into the six-yard box, while those from the right were outswinging. He was key in Boca’s opening goal. He delivered a curling free kick that was heading in behind the goalkeeper, but Merentiel made sure by poking it in. He took a very hard foul from Gerson (who was shown a red card), causing concern among all the fans, but he was able to continue.

Milton Delgado (6)

As in every match, he complemented Paredes well. With Ascacibar absent due to suspension, he took on the “Ruso” role in a more attacking capacity, making a few occasional forward runs outside his usual profile. Two dangerous shots. Valenzuela, through VAR, ruled out Boca’s second goal for handball in the collision with the center back that led to Merentiel’s finish.

Tomás Aranda (7)

Active in attack, linking up with the forwards and midfielders. He had a dangerous shot with a bounce beforehand in the opening minutes that Otávio saved, and then also gathered the rebound. In the second half, with a simple move, he shook off two defenders who pressed him and unleashed a powerful shot that forced the goalkeeper into a fine save.

Miguel Merentiel (8)

He returned to scoring after a long goal drought. Before celebrating with the entire crowd, La Bestia had two crystal-clear chances. First, in the opening minute, with a powerful shot that Otávio kept out with pure reflexes, and minutes later he got in front of the center backs, got a touch on it, and once again the goalkeeper appeared. Even though the ball was going in, he made sure of the goal by poking it into the back of the net. Excellent technique on Boca’s second goal. He had the time to bring it down, control it, and set his body before finishing for 2-0: ruled out for a prior handball.

Milton Giménez (4)

He had a positive first half, with plenty of action and chances to get on the scoresheet. After Aranda’s shot, the rebound fell kindly to him, but Cruzeiro’s goalkeeper made himself big to keep out the effort. In the second half, he looked imprecise and had some trouble finding his place. Great pass to send Zeballos through one-on-one.

Exequiel Zeballos (6)

From his first involvement, he showed all his attacking power. He received a great pass from Giménez to go one-on-one with Otávio, but the goalkeeper came out on top. Minutes later, he beat the entire defense to a header that kept bending away until it went out over the end line.

Ángel Romero (-)

Too few minutes to be rated.

Claudio Úbeda (5)

He set up the team very well in the first half with Belmonte coming in as the replacement for the suspended Ascacibar. Boca played very well, dominating and creating a large number of chances. He can be criticized for making only two substitutions when the game called for more use of the bench.

Claudio Úbeda. Photo: Gerónimo Marino/La Número 12.

Keep reading:

After Boca’s draw against Cruzeiro: how the Libertadores table stands

With a highly controversial ending, Boca drew with Cruzeiro at La Bombonera

The 3 Boca players walking a tightrope who must be careful against Cruzeiro

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