Boca begins its participation in the 2015 Copa Libertadores in Chile, against Palestino. VS Wednesday February 18 18:45 (Hora Argentina) Stadium: Santa Laura (Union Española, Chile) Ref: Wilmar Roldan (Colombia) VAMOS BOOOOOCA!!!!!!
Arruabarrena hasn't confirmed the starters yet, but this is the probable formation. The main question mark is Burrito Martinez or Palacios, but after Sunday I'd like to think that El Vasco is going with Palacios, so that's what I'm going with. Keep in mind that Cata Díaz and Calleri are suspended. Possible starters (4-3-3)
Final 2-0. Rather poor effort but a logical win against an opponent that played hard but had limitations. Hopefully these games against weaker opponents will help Arruabarrena evaluate which players deserve to start. My evaluations: Orion 7: made the stops he needed to make. Marin 5: good pass on the first goal but showed some defensive deficiencies. Burdisso 6: solid defending. Torsiglieri 6: ditto. Colazzo 4: poor game, got owned defensively. Meli 4: poor in recovery and generating. Erbes 4: ditto Gago 6: lacked a partner in midfield. Palacio 7: active and scored a nice goal. Gigliotti 4: not much. Chavez 6: not much until he scored, more active in the 2nd half. Lodeiro 6: showed himself as an option and got a nice assist. Vadala 5: Participated in limited minutes. Perez: not enough time.
Boca makes its home debut in Copa Libertadores this Thursday, when it receives Uruguay's Montevideo Wanderers. VS Thursday February 26 20:15 (Hora Argentina) Stadium: Boca Juniors Ref: Ricardo Marques Ribeiro (Brazil) VAMOS BOOOOOCA!!!!!!
The starting lineup has been confirmed and indeed it includes Osvaldo as CF, as well as Lodeiro next to Gago in midfield. Boca will lineup in an attacking 4-3-3, as follows: I like this lineup against Wanderers, but I think when we get into the tough matchups against the stronger teams I would prefer to see a 4-4-2, with Perez in midfield alongside Gago, and Lodeiro free to roam as playmaker, behind two forwards. If Osvaldo is who we think he is he should be one of the forwards, and the other one could be Palacios, Calleri or Chavez - I like all three. (Not Gigliotti or Burrito please!) In defensive midfield, I think it's becoming obvious that the kid Cubas is outplaying Erbes. Hopefully it should be only a matter of time until Cubas becomes the starter for Libertadores. VAMOS BOCA!!!
Why doesn't Peruzzi start? Is Vasco giving him rest/messing around with the formation, or is he simply a regular sub?
Peruzzi showed up with a minor injury. He appears to be okay now and has been practicing, but is not playing yet because according to inside sources, "le falta futbol" (meaning he's not in top playing shape yet). Word is he should start playing sometime in March, but we'll see. Meanwhile Marin and Fuenzalida will have to hold the fort.
One thing I've noticed about this campaign is that Boca potentially has a lot of flexibility and depth. If Erbes ends up being the 2nd best CDM, that can only be a good thing. I'm not quite sold on Cubas yet, which is not to say I've seen him play badly or i'm doubting his worth, but I've personally haven't had the chance to take a real close look at him. There's no questioning that he had a great game on Sunday though. Super excited about Palacios, Calleri, & Chavez. Add to that Carrizo, who can be a load on that left flank. I expect Gago to miss time at some point. Maybe Erbes will serve in a pinch as his replacement. If Osvaldo can come in and make the spot unquestionably his, this might just be a special next few weeks for Boca.
Wanderers likely lineup: Boca and Wanderers faced each other four times, in Copa Libertadores. Boca won three and Wanderers won one.
One thing you can say for sure about Osvaldo is that he ain't shy. He's taken no time to assert himself on the team already. Lodeiro playing well. You can see that when he develops chemistry with Osvaldo, they can do some things. Komar gives us the lead. We give it right back on the kickoff. 1-1
Boca is playing well, other than the defensive lapse. Osvaldo is a stud, and I'm impressed with Lodeiro as well. It's a whole new team!
Final 2-1. Grande Boquita, lindo partido, contra un digno rival que siempre mordió, peleo y jugo, pero Boca fue superior y un merecido ganador.
My individual qualifications: Orion 4: Didn't have to do much, but the one shot he faced, he let it get through. Marin 6: He got overran at times but recovered well for the most part and contributed to the ball movement. Burdisso: Injured early, hopefully he's okay Torsiglieri 7: A titan defending and dangerous on set pieces. Another excellent reinforcement. Colazo 6: Better joining the attack than defending Gago 8: Another solid game for Gago, he is finding his rhythm. Erbes 5: Lots of sacrifice, but was overran at times and imprecise at others. Lodeiro 9: The man of the match, he was everywhere and always playing the ball well. This guy is the real deal. Chavez 7: excellent first half, lots of sacrifice and good passes and crosses. Tired a bit towards the end. Osvaldo 9: Dream debut, active, creating danger, and scoring the winning goal. Palacios 8: Fast and dangerous on the wing, reminds me of the old time wingers. Komar 6: The kid scored his goal and then fell asleep on their goal. Still needs experience but played okay. Perez 6: Joined the dialogue in midfield when he came in. Carrizo 5: He has talent, but needs to play smarter and finish plays better. Overall a very good team effort, I thought they should have won by a larger margin.
Only down side from last nights game is we didn't score more goals. We played some good stuff at times and we are actually becomming a side that's pleasent on the eye. The work rate to get the ball back when we lose it is fantastic and they all seemed to have been well drilled, they remind me a little of Dortmund in the way they close down. Osvaldo had a solid game, scored one and missed a couple, but he is getting back to full sharpness so I'm very pleased with what I saw. Loidero played very well, my man of the match, and looked an attacking threat throughout the game. I'm really happy Palacios is making such an impact he works so hard and is very good when he is one on one with a defender, high hopes for him this season, probably could have done a little better with the chances he had but that is being very picky. Gago is finally returning to the player I hoped we had got, he is so calm in the middle and it rubs off on everyone around him, top player having a very solid beginning to the season. For me Cubas has answered the debate for who should start in that more protective role in midfield he has been a real standout so far, very aggressive and tenacious, and wins the ball well and gets it to the creative players quickly, I really hope his potential is fulfilled and he has a big impact for us this season, shame he didn't play last night but when fighting on multiple fronts it's important to utilise the whole squad. The 4-3-3 that is being used at the minute seems to suit us very well I hope to see it more.
I still believe this, not that he is going to be a bust. But that he isn't some next level player who is going to win something. There's a reason that NOBODY else out there wants/wanted him. Lets see him score a goal away, against a team tackling him hard, and a team that's actually any good. I only saw the second half, but Wanderers did not look like they were any good. Although like I've said in past posts, I've been wrong before and will be again at some point in life. I dont know what they paid, but its an upgrade for Boca no matter what. Also Lodeiro is a stud. I dont know what broadcast you guys get, but Niembro and Closs were treating him like he was Messi.