Boca's player ratings in reaching the Copa Sudamericana semi-finals | OneFootball

Boca secured another place in the Copa Sudamericana semifinals. They drew 1-1 against São Paulo at the Morumbí, with a goal from Leandro Lozano in the second leg of the quarterfinals, but won 2-1 on aggregate. A result that further strengthens the blue-and-gold side’s dominance over Brazilian teams in knockout ties.

The Xeneize took the field expecting a tough, hard-fought match, but got a big surprise in the opening minutes. Boca completely controlled the game, while the São Paulo side played defensively, making plenty of mistakes at the back and looking uncomfortable on the ball. In fact, the Uruguayan’s goal came from a lapse in concentration in the Tricolor defense. Boca’s player ratings in the qualification against São Paulo.

Boca’s celebration at the Morumbí. Photo: Alexandre Schneider/Getty Images.

Álvaro Montero (7)

A solid performance from the Colombian goalkeeper, who was only called into action near the end of the first half. Luciano won in the air, and the keeper used his 2-meter frame to deny him, with help from the crossbar, and keep a clean sheet—temporarily. He had more work to do in the second half, clearing several crosses that dropped into the box. He was not at fault for São Paulo’s equalizer, a thunderous header.

Leandro Lozano (9)

His best game since arriving at Boca. It took him 10 matches to score his first goal in the Xeneize shirt. He took advantage of a defensive lapse from the São Paulo side to go one-on-one with the goalkeeper and finish with his left foot, despite being right-footed. When he had to defend, he had no problems. The only thing that cost him a point was committing the foul that led to the final equalizer.

Lautaro Di Lollo (7)

A good match from Boca’s No. 2. Always well-positioned and alert to cut out passes aimed at São Paulo’s forwards. He won plenty of aerial duels. VAR saved him from being blamed for São Paulo’s first goal, which was ruled out for a razor-thin offside.

Facundo Herrera (8)

Jagger has earned his starting spot. He beat out everyone else and became the squad’s undisputed second center back. Unbeatable everywhere. They tested him in the air and he won. They tested him on the ground and he won. He stepped far out and still won. The only downside: late on, he lost track of Domingo and São Paulo scored.

Lautaro Blanco (6)

The left back faded as the game went on. He had a very strong opening stretch, getting forward constantly and making his presence felt in attack, but with a few mistakes defensively. Unlike previous matches, he struggled on his side. Lucas Ramón gave him a very hard time, as they constantly looked to create 2-on-1 situations against him.

Santiago Ascacibar (6)

A decent outing from the Ruso. He battled when he had to and played when he had to. A true box-to-box presence across the whole pitch, though with little involvement in the opponent’s box. He had a shot from inside the area that went wide and could have put the tie to bed earlier.

Leandro Paredes (6)

The Boca captain had a below-par game, but it was enough to steer the team toward qualification. He played several of the long passes that are his trademark, though many of them failed to find a target. A bit inaccurate. In the first half, he shoved Velasco to move him out of the middle. He won back several balls. And late on, he was involved in a tense moment, but quickly tried to remove himself from the conflict.

Milton Delgado (5)

He returned from a muscle injury, and it showed. At times, especially in the first half, he played with the handbrake on to avoid aggravating it. But after the break, he settled into the game. He recovered several balls and was the firefighter Blanco needed on the left.

Alan Velasco (4)

One of Velasco’s worst performances in a long time. He never looked comfortable in the match. Stationed on the left, he tried to form a tandem with Blanco to break down the opposing defense. Uncomfortable. Inaccurate. He looked for his shot, but it was blocked.

Leonel Flores (5)

He tried more than he produced. The youngster did not have his best game in a Boca shirt. He moved all across the front line. He led a counterattack and laid it off for Merentiel, but it did not come off. He linked up well with Lozano. He needed to be sharper in attack to create clear chances.

Miguel Merentiel (4)

He touched the ball very few times throughout the night. He was not looked for much either. He had a clear chance when he received a pass from Flores on a counterattack and shot with a defender on top of him. He wasted it.

Sebastián Villa (3)

The Colombian once again came into the match very poorly. He is lacking confidence, and it shows every time he touches the ball. He takes his eyes off it when trying to control it and loses possession. He had a one-on-one with a defender where he got tangled up and let a key opportunity slip away.

Tomás Belmonte, Ángel Romero and Enner Valencia (-)

Too few minutes to be rated.

Rodolfo Arruabarrena (9)

He set the team up brilliantly. At first he was surprised by São Paulo’s defensive approach, but at the hydration break he took advantage of the moment to make the necessary adjustments and maintain Boca’s superiority. Lozano gives him a great attacking option, arriving like a natural No. 9. Vasco still has the outstanding issue of getting more consistent responses from his substitutes whenever they come onto the pitch.

Keep reading:

"There’s still a long way to go": Arruabarrena’s message after reaching the Sudamericana semifinals

When Boca will play again after qualifying for the Copa Sudamericana semifinal

Who Boca’s opponent will be in the Copa Sudamericana semifinal

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