Boca ratings after impressive 2-1 win at Universidad Católica in Libertadores opener | OneFootball

Boca opened their Copa Libertadores Group D campaign with an impressive 2-1 win at Universidad Católica in Chile, sealed by goals from Leandro Paredes and Adam Bareiro.

According to LaNumer12.com.ar, Paredes was the standout. He drilled the opener after Juan Díaz’s miscued clearance. After the break, Tomás Aranda combined inside, Lautaro Blanco crossed low and Bareiro tapped in, before Díaz pulled one back late. Leandro Brey had earlier tipped a Fernando Zampedri header wide.

Paredes was rated nine and booked amid a melee, dictating play throughout. Centre-backs Lautaro Di Lollo and Ayrton Costa were solid, while Blanco’s overlapping gave Boca thrust. Brey looked assured with his feet but had a small share of blame for the consolation.

Aranda grew after the interval and went close himself. Santiago Ascacibar was busy shutting lanes with Milton Delgado, who also slipped Costa through for a dink cleared off the line. Miguel Merentiel’s finishing touch deserted him, yet his press helped force the decisive mistake.

Marcelo Weigandt mixed good moments with rash ones, suffered a heavy knee blow and finished with ice, with tests to follow. Ander Herrera added control after coming on midway through the second half. Brief cameos for Milton Giménez and Juan Barinaga, and Marco Pellegrino shored up aerial defence late on as Claudio Úbeda’s well-timed changes underpinned a strong plan.

Source: LaNumer12.com.ar