Why only one substitution? Russo explains his decision | OneFootball

Boca was comfortably ahead at La Bombonera, but the match ended in a 2-2 draw against Central Córdoba, in a clash corresponding to the ninth round of Group A of the 2025 Clausura Tournament. Miguel Ángel Russo appeared at the press conference once the match was over.

And he owed the fans an explanation, as Xeneize’s level dropped significantly in the second half and only one substitution out of the five allowed was made. Alan Velasco came on for Brian Aguirre, who wasn’t even one of the lowest-performing players during the match.

Russo couldn’t find the solution for the team and Central Córdoba managed to take a draw at La Bombonera. Photo: Gerónimo Marino.

"No, it’s my decision. I take full responsibility," that was Russo’s entire response, who didn’t say anything further when asked why he didn’t use the rest of the substitutes, which could have prevented Boca from dropping two very important points in the race for qualification to the 2026 Copa Libertadores.

Russo and the back-and-forth with a journalist over a question he didn’t like

At the end of the press conference, the coach gave his longest answer. He didn’t like the question, which was accompanied by the journalist’s analysis. It was the last one and made sense: Boca was one team in the first half and left the impression that they “ran out of steam.”

"I say you have an unrealistic view. How do you know Boca dropped their level?" Russo asked the journalist. He also emphasized that "Boca always controlled the ball", and pointed out that while he respected the opinion of the person asking, for him “that’s not the reality” of what happened on the pitch.

Finally, the manager highlighted that "this is football and you have to know how to manage it," and that "if they put three forwards, it’s all the same no matter what happens" and that "Boca didn’t suffer many goal situations", before stressing that "we have to keep going."

Read also:

Boca’s player ratings in the draw against Central Córdoba

Boca drew on their own against Central Córdoba and complicated their entry into the cups

Boca vs Central Córdoba LIVE for the Clausura Tournament

With absences and important returns: Boca’s squad list vs Central Córdoba

Boca could lose Leandro Paredes at a key moment: the reason

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