Boca's player ratings from the draw with Vélez at Parque Patricios

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La Número 12

·9 August 2026

Boca's player ratings from the draw with Vélez at Parque Patricios

Boca hosted Vélez again at the Tomás A. Ducó and drew 1-1, in the fourth round of the 2026 Clausura Tournament. Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side was far superior to the team from Liniers, deserved to win, and ended the match disappointed not to have taken all three points.

The Xeneize started out playing better, conceded from a set piece because of a mistake by their goalkeeper, but managed to recover mentally. The equalizer through Santiago Ascacibar was fair, but unfortunately luck still wasn’t fully on their side and the feelings are mixed: they played well, showed attitude, but have been lacking, for some time now, a bit of luck.

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Boca 1-1 Vélez highlights from the 2026 Clausura Tournament.

Álvaro Montero (6)

He grew into the game. He set up the wall poorly and reacted late to Valdés’ free kick. He made a good save on a shot inside the six-yard box — ruled out for offside — and came off his line quickly to claim the ball against Godoy’s burst forward. He still doesn’t inspire confidence and clearly looks short on self-belief.

Leandro Lozano (5)

He didn’t have too many problems in defense. Every time he was tested, he responded neatly. Going forward, he linked up with Flores until Villa came on, when he dropped a few yards deeper. He made some mistakes through indecision or rushing things, like when he lost the ball after lifting his head.

Lautaro Di Lollo (6)

Solid in defense. Virtually impossible to get past, and the one time he was left on the ground, the danger came to nothing. He won several aerial duels and only really struggled when Feler took him on near the end and beat him with a nutmeg.

Ayrton Costa (5)

He coolly cut out a Vélez attack. Won several aerial duels and was booked for a hard foul in midfield. He was replaced at halftime, with Vasco worried about being reduced to ten men.

Lautaro Blanco (7)

A great match from the left-footer, as he has accustomed us to lately. No one could get past him down his flank. He was heavily involved in attack when combining with Aranda. One of his shots was blocked, and he looked to get forward both inside and outside. He needs a partner and for Boca to make more of his side.

Santiago Ascacibar (9)

Third straight goal for the Russian. He didn’t switch off from the play, followed it through to the end, and only had to tap it in. He had several clear chances to add to his tally: two headers close to the top corner, a left-footed shot across goal that shaved the right post, and an overhead kick. Boca’s top scorer so far in the tournament.

Leandro Paredes (7)

He redeemed himself after the mistake while playing out from the back by clearing one off the line. He won back an endless number of balls. Solid in defense and with an angel’s foot to find his teammates. Exquisite passes to leave the forwards facing goal. The only negative: set pieces.

Milton Delgado (7)

His first chance hit the post. He committed the foul that led to the goal. He tried to make up for a Paredes mistake and ended up giving the ball away in what could have been Vélez’s second. He still doesn’t dare shoot when he’s in a good position. But when he did, he nearly buried one from outside the box.

Tomás Aranda (5)

He got on the end of Merentiel’s backheel and shot with the goalkeeper right on top of him; the rebound led to the equalizer. Positioned on the left, he constantly looked for the pass to be Boca’s playmaker. He had chances to shoot, but chose to look for a teammate instead. He needs more composure, but he always makes himself available.

Leonel Flores (5)

Not his best match. He looked uncomfortable for much of the game. Hugging the right touchline, he struggled to beat the Fortín full-back with pace or dribbling. They read everything he tried, and he lacked the imagination not to keep repeating the same move. Good understanding with Lozano though — there’s a future in that tandem.

Miguel Merentiel (4)

A decent match. Key in Boca’s equalizer. He didn’t have any clear scoring chances, but was very mobile and always involved with the ball. When the move seemed to be breaking down, he tried a backheel that fell to Aranda and ended in the equalizer. Unable to win in the air, he understood it was better to create space for Ascacibar’s runs and drift wide to help carry the ball forward.

Marco Pellegrino (6)

He had no problems in defense. When it was time to play out from the back, he did; when it was time to just clear it, he cleared it. Alert in marking and tracking back. His introduction settled Boca down a lot and took away much of Vélez’s attacking presence.

Alan Velasco (6)

Every time he comes on in the second half, he delivers quality. He had a clear chance to put Boca ahead. Very involved in attack, though he needed to combine better with Blanco, and it feels like he should be on the field with Aranda rather than being his main backup.

Milton Giménez (3)

He had to play in the dirtiest area: wedged between the center-backs and playing with his back to goal. He barely touched the ball. He slipped inside the box when a cross was dropping to him and didn’t show much desire. Hard to see him continuing to get minutes with Valencia arriving.

Sebastián Villa (2)

What did he even come on for? He doesn’t beat his man, doesn’t look for the number nine, doesn’t link up with the right-back, and doesn’t tuck inside to offer himself as an option. It’s understandable that he’s uncomfortable on the right, but he doesn’t even make the effort to try switching wings. He’s predictable and not very smart. His level explains why a 19-year-old is Boca’s coach’s first choice.

Rodolfo Arruabarrena (9)

Rodolfo Arruabarrena in the press conference. Photo: Gerónimo Marino/La Número 12.

He read the match perfectly and there’s no blame on him in the execution of the ideas or the football. The goal the team conceded is not his fault at all; it’s entirely on the goalkeeper. The substitutions were right, the timing was right, and he doesn’t get a ten for two reasons: bringing Villa on again down the right, where he subtracts from the attack, and the fact that he still hasn’t made the most of the left side, wasting Blanco’s outstanding form.