Boca’s player ratings in hard-fought progress against O’Higgins | OneFootball

Boca qualified for the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 without playing well. The team still offers no guarantees whatsoever and, with very little and a lot of suffering, managed to move on to the next stage of the competition. They lost 1-0 in regular time to O’Higgins in the second leg of the playoffs at El Teniente in Rancagua, and the tie was decided on penalties, where the blue and gold side won the shootout 4-3.

The Xeneize started well. They controlled much of the first half, but the Capo de la Provincia stood tall and created the clearest chances to take the win in the 90 minutes. Their superiority was such that Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s team stepped on the gas in the final five minutes and had to secure victory from the penalty spot. On the verge of yet another historic embarrassment. Below, the player ratings from Boca’s qualification against O’Higgins.

The highlights of Boca vs. O’Higgins.

Álvaro Montero (6)

He was saved by the penalty he stopped in the shootout. During the match he did not inspire much confidence between the posts. He was beaten by Pancho González’s left-footed strike on the goal. He punched clear and started a counterattack that could have made it 1-0 for Boca. Incredibly, he delayed a goal kick and it resulted in a corner for the opponent. Despite being the tallest goalkeeper in the club’s history, he looked hesitant when coming out to claim crosses. He held onto a late header from Vecino.

Leandro Lozano (5)

He saved Xeneize in the first half. González got a shot off alone inside the box and the defender just managed to get in the way of the ball. Defensively, he did not face too many problems. Going forward, he was smart in picking his moments to push up and get to the byline. He committed a foul near the box and was shown a yellow card.

Nicolás Figal (3)

He scored his penalty. In the match, everything went wrong. He started with a lot of mistakes: misplaced passes, clearances into the middle that gifted the ball to the opposition, and more doubts than certainty. He managed to settle down, but his level then dropped off dramatically again. He once more cleared into the middle, which led to O’Higgins’ goal. The forwards ran him ragged.

Ayrton Costa (5)

He grew into the game. In the first minute he tried to play out from the back and gave it away. Paredes bailed him out. Near the end of the first half he made a double block to keep a clean sheet, but in the second half he failed to close down González. He had the equalizer with a header that went wide.

Lautaro Blanco (6)

He scored the penalty that sealed the series. The best in defense. He had to battle Pancho González, who gave him a very hard time all game, though at times he managed to keep him under control. Especially in the first half, he linked up with Aranda to get forward and create danger down the left. After the break, he barely got forward.

Santiago Ascacibar (4)

Hard-working defensively. At times he was chasing the ball whenever O’Higgins packed the midfield. He led a counterattack, beat his marker, laid it off to Merentiel, but it came to nothing. He was not very involved as the midfielder arriving into the opponent’s box. He only rarely got forward and made himself an option.

Leandro Paredes (6)

He converted Boca’s first penalty in the shootout. Every time he got on the ball, he had a man on him. He could not play comfortably, but he found a way. He was irritated with Wilmar Roldán over some fouls that were not given. He had a clash with the referee, who shoved him, and they ended up face to face. He saved Costa from embarrassment in the first minute. He also played a brilliant pass to Aranda to take out two markers.

Xeneize celebrated reaching the round of 16. Photo: Marcelo Hernandez/Getty Images.

Milton Delgado (5)

Paredes’ firefighter. Every time the No. 5 was under pressure, he tried to make himself a passing option. He battled, put himself about, and played with class. He committed no fouls. Neat in possession. He tried to connect with the attacking area to push forward. He also went for a shot from outside the box that went wide.

Tomás Aranda (6)

He tried to seal qualification with a Panenka. The goalkeeper read his intention. Aside from the penalty he missed, he was the best player on the pitch over the 90 minutes. Boca played to his rhythm. Every time he received the ball, a chance to open the scoring seemed to appear, as he looked to combine with Blanco down the left. In the closing moments, he had two shots on target and forced Carabalí into action.

Miguel Merentiel (3)

He scored his penalty. The Uruguayan striker’s level is among Boca’s lowest. He is lacking confidence. He wasted a counterattack by trying a long-range shot that flew well wide of O’Higgins’ goal. He was too rushed in his decision-making.

Sebastián Villa (2)

Invisible all game. He started out on the right, where he had no involvement. Only once did he make use of his speed into space, getting to the byline and firing in a very powerful cross toward Aranda’s head. In the second half he moved to the left, where he also failed to make an impact. He was substituted for youngster Flores.

Leonel Flores (7)

After coming on in the 11th minute of the second half, Xeneize created its best chances. Unlike the Colombian, he repeatedly danced past the opposing defense. He got on the ball, played boldly, and always looked to get into the box. Cutting inside, he unleashed a shot that crashed off the crossbar and was headed for the top corner.

Rodolfo Arruabarrena (4)

Only one substitution in 90 minutes. He decided to scrap the 4-3-3 and go with the classic 4-3-1-2, with Aranda as the playmaker (drifting to the left at times) and Villa as the second striker leaning to the right. Since the Colombian did not work, he moved him to the left in the second half, where he also failed to deliver. Then he took him off. It was the only change. Does he not trust the rest of the squad?

Keep reading:

Rodolfo Arruabarrena after qualification: the analysis, why he made only one change, the transfer market, and more

Boca lost, but beat O'Higgins on penalties and qualified for the Sudamericana round of 16

What time Boca vs. O'Higgins starts, the second leg, and how to watch it live

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