Boca beat Central Córdoba with a changed side: who seized Úbeda's chance | OneFootball

Boca beat Central Córdoba 2-1 in Santiago del Estero in the final matchday of the Torneo Apertura regular season. Xeneize coach Claudio Úbeda fielded an alternate lineup, with the team’s focus on the upcoming Copa Libertadores clash against Barcelona in Ecuador on Tuesday. Which players made the most of their opportunity?

Alan Velasco, heavily criticized by fans since arriving at the club, was one of the standout performers. He confirmed the good form he had shown in previous matches (against Independiente and Defensa y Justicia), scored a goal, and is now shaping up as one of Sifón’s main backup options.

Another player who made the most of his time on the pitch was Milton Gimenez, who scored again (having also done so against Rojo and Halcón de Varela). In this way, the striker has now scored in the last three matches he started, and could be in line to replace Adam Bareiro (sent off) in Tuesday’s Copa Libertadores match.

The center-back pairing was made up of Nicolás Figal and Marco Pellegrino. Both were solid and are battling for a place in the starting defense, where Lautaro Di Lollo and Ayrton Costa remain the undisputed duo and are currently in better form.

Meanwhile, Exequiel Zeballos, left out of the starting eleven after the injury he suffered at the beginning of the year, made good use of his minutes. He assisted Giménez for the second goal and was the key attacking threat, as he looks to win back a starting spot.

Xeneize will finish as runners-up to Estudiantes in Apertura Zone A and will learn their round-of-16 opponent this Sunday. Meanwhile, their next match will be away to Barcelona of Ecuador on Tuesday in the Copa Libertadores. In the group, Cruzeiro (third), Xeneize, and Universidad Católica all have 6 points.

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