Boca’s ratings after the bitter draw with Newell’s | OneFootball

Boca keeps dropping points along the way. They drew 2-2 against Newell’s on matchday three of the Apertura Tournament in Rosario, with goals from Santiago Ascacibar and Alan Velasco. A result that leaves more doubts than certainties for a team that seems shaken whenever it has the lead on the scoreboard.

El Xeneize had one of its best first halves of the year. They created plenty of chances to extend the lead, but were far too wasteful in the final touch. And as the saying goes: “the goals you don’t score at one end, you concede at the other.” Below are the ratings from Boca’s draw against Newell’s.

The highlights of Boca’s draw against Newell's.

Álvaro Montero (5)

The tallest goalkeeper in Boca’s history, and he looks very shaky on crosses. Every ball that drops into the box turns into a dangerous situation for the opposition. They had two shots on target and both ended up in the net: Cóccaro (a moving penalty) and Regiardo (top corner). One positive: the long pass to Flores that led to the 2-2.

Dylan Gorosito (7)

A great match from the right-back, who gives Vasco a real headache when it comes to choosing his No. 4. Early on, he played a great one-two with Ascacibar to get past Newell’s marker and whipped in a low cross for Merentiel. He started the move for Boca’s goal: a switch to Villa after shrugging off the defender with his body.

Lautaro Di Lollo (5)

A performance with several ups and downs throughout the match. He started very well, solid defensively, and it looked like he was going to recover the level he showed throughout the first half of the year and, therefore, win back his place. However, in the second half he couldn’t stay solid. He lost a duel with Cóccaro where the Uruguayan, perhaps with a foul?, escaped the pressure and it led to La Lepra’s 2-1.

Ayrton Costa (5)

The center-back pairing had far too many highs and lows. In the opening stages, like his teammate, he looked very solid, sharp stepping in, and tidy in possession. But in the second half, he faded mentally. He stepped out too far to defend, left his area exposed, and Newell’s first goal followed. He was booked for a handball outside the box.

Lautaro Blanco (6)

Every time he plays against Newell’s, he turns into one of the best full-backs you’ve ever seen. Today he had to battle against the runs of Escobar and Mazzanti and came through without major trouble. He went to ground, won the ball back, and pushed forward with class. He delivered the sharp crosses that have become his trademark.

Leandro Paredes (4)

A poor performance from Boca’s captain. He started out as the playmaker with outside-of-the-foot passes to Merentiel and flashes of his assist-making quality, but as the minutes passed he looked increasingly uncomfortable. He blocked Gauch’s shot, but the rebound fell perfectly for Cóccaro to level for the Rosario side. He also had a heated exchange with referee Andrés Merlo over a series of fouls that weren’t given.

Santiago Ascacibar (6)

Another goal in a Boca shirt. He won a header between Gianetti and generated a one-two with Gorosito in the opening moments of the match that could have led to the opener. A strong presence in the box. In the second half, his level dropped and, like all the midfielders, he lost ground.

Leonel Flores (8)

One of Boca’s best. Every time he touched the ball, it created an attacking situation. A machine for generating danger. Down the right, he did as he pleased, a piacere. He floated in a cross onto Merentiel’s head that could have been the team’s first. On the very next play, he again delivered a cross on the run for the Uruguayan. He was one of those responsible for El Xeneize’s second goal: he won with pace and laid it off to Aranda. Near the end, he went for it alone and sent it just wide of the post.

Leonel Flores, one of Boca’s standout performers in Rosario. Photo: Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images.

Tomás Aranda (7)

Flashes of quality football. He moved all across the front line and constantly asked for the ball as he looked to get into the opposition box. With a few dribbles, he left several opponents behind. He received it from Flores and, with a subtle touch, set up Velasco for the 2-2. In the closing minutes, he popped up unexpectedly behind the center-backs and had the win on his left foot, but the ball crashed off the post.

Sebastián Villa (4)

The only good thing he did all game was the cross onto Ascacibar’s head for the opening goal. Aside from the assist, everything was difficult for him. He couldn’t win with pace. He couldn’t shake off Goitea’s tight marking and, to make matters worse, he was at fault for Newell’s equalizer. He got distracted by a ball that wasn’t in play, La Lepra took the throw-in with the man he was supposed to be marking, and Cóccaro scored.

Miguel Merentiel (5)

A good opening spell. In less than 20 minutes, he had three clear chances to get on the scoresheet. First with a shot near the six-yard box where the goalkeeper closed him down and smothered it well. Then with a header that struck the crossbar. And later, he accidentally got in the way after Escobar’s failed clearance.

Milton Giménez (4)

He came on in the opening minutes of the second half for Merentiel. He had few touches. He played as a traditional No. 9, receiving with his back to goal and constantly battling with Rosario’s center-backs. He complained to Flores for not passing when Flores tried to go it alone.

Alan Velasco (7)

He became Boca’s game-changer. He came on very well, lively and eager to level the match. With one of the first balls he touched, he buried it in the back of the net for 2-2. Near the end, he sent in a precise cross for Giménez that could have won it.

Alan Velasco’s celebration as Boca rescued a draw in Rosario. Photo: Luciano Bisbal/Getty Images.

Leandro Lozano (4)

He came on for Gorosito and didn’t have much to do. He got forward several times to combine with Flores. Defensively, he was tidy. No major trouble.

Rodolfo Arruabarrena (5)

He made virtually no changes to the starting eleven. Di Lollo, Gorosito, and Flores came in for Figal, Lozano, and Delgado, respectively. The performances of the two U-20 kids were among the best of the match and the team. He still needs to iron out some concentration issues to stop Boca from conceding goals from throw-ins.

Keep reading:

Russo, from an even match to “I can’t stop and focus on VAR”

Will the youngsters come in? Cardona and Orsini injured

Cavani isn’t satisfied: “we could have scored one more goal”

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