A dull and predictable Boca Juniors suffered a severe blow in the run-up to their clash with Colo Colo for the Copa Libertadores.
The “Xeneize”, who played almost all of the time in numerical inferiority, fell 1-0 at home against bottom club Arsenal at the start of the 19th date of the Argentine Soccer League.
Thursday was an emotional night at the “Viaducto”: the winning goal came after 24 minutes, just when the fans were honoring the late former player Javier Yacuzzi, who spent five years at the club -won two titles- and who used that number on the bib.
Yacuzzi died on Monday in Mexico as a result of a virus.
In addition to holding a minute of silence, supporters displayed posters with the inscription “Thank you Yacuzzi” and the number 24.
At the Julio Humberto Grondona stadium, Jorge Almirón’s team -he changed the midfield that had worked for him last date in the 1-0 victory over Tigre- never found a way around the game and could not extend his streak of three consecutive victories in the contest.
Arsenal, combative and supportive despite their poor campaign, has become a “giant killer” (previously in the tournament they had already beaten River Plate and Independiente).
The “Viaduct” (it had been ten games since they had beaten Boca) took advantage with a great goal from central defender Joaquín Pombo, who, following a corner kick, resolved with a cue and overcame the resistance of Sergio “Chiquito” Romero.
In the initial stage, Arsenal was clearly superior. The visit only came dangerously once, after a wall between Darío Benedetto and Miguel Merentiel, which ended with a great save by Alejandro Medina.
As soon as the complement started, Xeneize was left with ten due to the expulsion of Marcelo Weigandt. In a dispute over a ball, the winger opened Pombo’s forehead with his booty, who ended up very bloody and with three stitches.
Judge Leandro Rey Hilfer in the first instance admonished Weigandt, but after reviewing the play at the request of the VAR, he showed him the red card, in the face of the angry protests of the visiting players.
“I feel like they hurt us. Doubtful plays are always against us”, complained Alfaro, who did not accept questions in his post-match appearance before the press.
“We played a long time with one less. We are going to arrive at the match (for the Copa Libertadores) quite tired, but we promise the people that we are going to leave everything, ”he added.
In the plugin, Boca improved slightly with the entry of Ezequiel “Equi” Fernández, but it hardly caused concern twice, with free kicks by Sebastián Villa that went wide.
The Colombian striker will hear the verdict this Friday in the trial that is being followed for “minor injuries aggravated by gender violence and coercive threats”, in response to a complaint filed by an ex-partner.
The prosecution requested a sentence of two years and three months in prison for Villa, who, if found guilty, would serve the sentence in freedom.
Defender Nicolás Figal withdrew injured with a muscular problem in his foot and will likely miss Tuesday’s clash with Colo Colo at La Bombonera.
Arsenal momentarily left the bottom of the table, although it remains last in the averages.
In another match, Sarmiento and Newell’s Old Boys drew zero in Junín.
The leader of the League, River Plate, will receive Defense and Justice, on Saturday, at the Monumental.
2023-06-02 04:20:50
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