Boca's ratings in the historic embarrassment against Riestra | OneFootball

An embarrassing performance by Boca in Bajo Flores. They lost 3-0 to Deportivo Riestra on the opening matchday of the 2026 Clausura Tournament. A result that shocked all the fans after what the team had shown against O’Higgins last Thursday, and now raises concern ahead of the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana.

Rodolfo Arruabarrena decided to field an alternate lineup to give rest to all the players who started against the Chilean side, but the result was not what he expected. The Xeneize was thoroughly outplayed, with no player earning a passing grade, although there were a few positive notes. Below are the ratings from Boca’s defeat against the Malevo.

Álvaro Montero (2)

From having a great debut in a Boca shirt to suffering one of the worst nights of his career. He bore some responsibility on all three of Riestra’s goals. On the first two he stayed rooted under the crossbar and was beaten by headers inside the six-yard box, while on the third he was off his line, misjudged the jump, and got chipped. He is the tallest goalkeeper in the club’s history at 2 meters tall.

Malcom Braida (3)

He made his first start of the Arruabarrena era. Very active on the right flank and looked to combine with Zenón. He lost the aerial duel with Antony Alonso on the Malevo’s opening goal. Defensively he lost several battles against the opposing attackers, but he showed plenty of presence going forward. He sent in a few crosses without accuracy.

Lautaro Di Lollo (2)

A very poor game from the central defender. On the Malevo’s first goal, he lost track of Brian Sánchez, who headed home unmarked inside the six-yard box. He was beaten in several aerial duels.

Marco Pellegrino (2)

The center-back pairing did not have its best night. On Riestra’s second goal, he could not win the aerial duel with Quintana. He lost several challenges despite being the tallest of them all. He also gave away a ball in midfield that could have led to another goal for the Nueva Pompeya side.

Lautaro Blanco (2)

Without Paredes or Merentiel, he wore the captain’s armband. He made more mistakes than good plays. Unusual for him. He failed to close down Céliz and allowed him to send in the cross alone and under no pressure on Riestra’s first goal. On the second, he lost Alonso, who headed in from inside the six-yard box for 2-0. And on the third, he could not bring down Díaz on the counterattack that led to the final 3-0. He tried to switch play and smashed the ball off his teammate’s back.

Santiago Ascacibar (3)

The best of the midfielders. He dared to get into the opposing box, but lacked the precision needed to become a key piece. He did not create danger the way he had in previous matches. In the second half he dropped into a double pivot, where he had greater involvement.

Milton Delgado (2)

Not the youngster’s best game. At times he had to act as Boca’s holding midfielder, but he was far from the level he shows whenever Paredes is beside him. He tried some vertical passes, but his inspired spell lasted only a few minutes. He was dragged down by his teammates’ very poor performance.

Williams Alarcón (2)

He looked lost on the pitch. He never found his place to show his best version. He had few touches and struggled with Riestra’s midfielders running in behind him. He came off at halftime with some muscle discomfort. He tried a shot from outside the box, but it went over the bar.

Kevin Zenón (5)

One of Boca’s best in a match where they were thoroughly outplayed. He played on the right, linked up with Braida, but lacked the accuracy needed to put the team ahead. He tried twice from distance and on both occasions Arce denied him.

The Xeneize suffered its first defeat under Vasco Arruabarrena. Photo: Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images.

Alan Velasco (4)

He is slowly starting to gain confidence. He started on the left, and every time he got the ball he drove toward goal looking to score. He tried to do it all himself and got his shot away with the opposing defense all over him. He came off at halftime.

Leonel Flores (4)

Even though he did not have his best game, the youngster showed personality to attack every time the ball was at his feet. He had a chance to put Boca ahead, but misjudged a header inside the box.

Sebastián Villa (3)

He came on for Velasco, who left with physical discomfort. On the left, where he feels most comfortable, he could not make full use of his speed. He lost every duel. He found himself in a good position inside the box, but made poor decisions. He wasted the chance to pull one back.

Ángel Romero (3)

He came on for Alarcón. He played as the No. 9, but did not have much involvement. He touched the ball very little and was not given much service either.

Tomás Aranda (4)

He came on lively, but did not create much danger. He looked to combine with Villa on the left. When he tried to attack through the middle, he was hit hard from behind. He had a free kick right on the edge of the box, but it went straight into the wall.

Miguel Merentiel (4)

Unbelievable. He played just over 25 minutes and spent more time outside the box than inside it. At times he dropped back into midfield or drifted out to the right.

Camilo Rey Domenech (-)

Too few minutes to be rated.

Rodolfo Arruabarrena (3)

Vasco Arruabarrena after the defeat against Riestra. Photo: Gerónimo Marino/La Número 12.

With the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana in mind, he made 7 changes from the team that beat O’Higgins midweek. The decision backfired badly, as nothing worked. It feels like without Leandro Paredes on the pitch, the team does not function. He will have to reshuffle several pieces if he wants to stay alive in the continental tournament.

Keep reading:

When Boca plays again after the historic thrashing against Riestra

Boca produced a historic embarrassment and was thrashed by Riestra

Boca’s unprecedented lineup to face Riestra

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