Tomás Belmonte reflects on Boca’s win as he returns to the starting XI | OneFootball

Boca bids farewell to preseason friendlies with a positive outcome. After a goalless draw against Millonarios at La Bombonera, Claudio Úbeda's team achieved a valuable 2-1 victory over Olimpia of Paraguay in the International Challenge. A victory with a special flavor for Tomás Belmonte who returned to the starting lineup, scored the second goal, and was awarded the best player of the match.

Toto managed to have his best match since joining the Xeneize. Although, in the match against the Colombians, in the short time he was on the field, he showed some flashes of quality with combinations with the forwards and reaching the opponent's area, in the match against the Decano he was crucial for the start of the season.

After the victory at the Estadio Único de San Nicolás, the former Lanús midfielder highlighted the great level shown by the club from La Ribera collectively, especially for “the work all week, which paid off. We played a great match. We leave very happy.” In fact, the result could have been more lopsided given the large number of chances Boca created.

Belmonte came from five matches gaining minutes from the bench (including the friendly against Millonarios) and from a match (Racing) where he watched from the sidelines. Therefore, returning to the starting lineup, scoring a goal, and being the standout player, he received a boost of confidence ahead of the debut in the Torneo Apertura.

“I felt very good, I needed it. Thank God I was able to play a great match. I felt very comfortable, my teammates also made me feel very good. Very happy,” revealed the 27-year-old midfielder in an interview with the official Disney+ broadcast after the match.

Claudio Úbeda's request for Tomás Belmonte and the entire team

Unlike the end of the 2025 season, this new and revamped Boca of Claudio Úbeda (and not because of the reinforcements), has a more offensive aspect, with midfielders near the opponent's area and very active in supporting the forwards in attack.

This situation is not a coincidence, but a request from the coach himself, and they have been working on it since the first day of preseason where the “farewell” to the double 9 was defined for the welcome of the 4-3-3. “Claudio (Úbeda) asks us to keep insisting on the form, the way, to always be consistent, not to give up and always try to win because this jersey deserves it, so we will go out to win on all fields,” he concluded.

Keep reading:

Boca turned it around against Olimpia and closes the preseason with good feelings

Boca's ratings in the victory against Olimpia

Boca would withdraw from the negotiation for Alexis Cuello

Boca vs Olimpia LIVE for the international friendly

Where and how to watch Boca vs Olimpia LIVE online

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