There was great expectation to see Boca’s reinforcements in action. Above all, because the original idea had been truncated as a result of the confusion with the time zone that prevented the authorization of the four incorporations for the Copa Sudamericana playoffs.
Then, Gary Medel, Tomás Belmonte, Brian Aguirre and Milton Giménez made their debut against Defensa y Justicia. Also, Dylan Gorosito (18 years old), a youth player who had his chance at right back due to absences.
For Diego Martínez, everyone had a significant contribution. The truth is that, beyond the coach’s eyes, they did not show a great level. Above all, Medel and Belmonte. Aguirre was restrained by the tactical role he had to fulfill, especially in the initial stage. Giménez, at least, caused the play for the second goal, which ended in the tie.
Medel seemed lacking in rhythm and somewhat slow. It was a permanent exit, the first ball. He lost the ball six times and was reflected in the goal by Molinas, who hit from mid-distance. The Chilean ran, he did not get between the shot and Sergio Romero.
Belmonte played to the right of Pol Fernández, was quite imprecise when passing and did not complete any long balls. He lost several divisions in a half of the field in which he did not gravitate towards recovery and also the mark on the stopped ball that led to Santiago Ramos Mingo’s goal.
Aguirre could not elaborate because Martínez asked him to play as a midfielder to free up the left lane for Lautaro Blanco’s projections. He was caught in that double task of hooking inside and taking care of Ayrton Portillo’s mark. At Newell’s he stood out as a winger. In the second half, he played on the right for a while and was more incisive when he returned to the left and created imbalance. Of course, he failed in the overflow. He threw eight crosses, none of them successful.
Giménez played as a double “9”, more referential in the complement, when Miguel Merentiel threw himself to the side, further to the left, from where he assisted him in the 2-2 play. The former Banfield attacker pivoted, kicked the ball twice Christopher Fiermarín’s goal, he fought with the local center backs, but lost more times than he won.
Gorosito did not have an easy forty-five minutes, especially due to the determination shown by Ignacio Galván. The young debutant had a hard time winning the duel against the former Racing team, who permanently overwhelmed him. He went on the attack a little and when he did, he didn’t resolve well. It was the first change. In the second half, he was replaced by Mateo Mendia and Martínez put together a line of three in the background.
The coach’s look
Martínez left his impressions about the additions at the press conference. “I am happy because I believe that each of the reinforcements contributed from their place. I believe that we have a lot to work on, to strengthen ourselves. I believe that although we have little time to work, it is a positive evaluation that we make of their work,” he reflected. .
And then, he analyzed one by one the footballers who had their baptism with the blue and gold shirt.
Aguirre: “Brian was very unbalanced and participated in the game on one side or the other.”
Giménez: “Milton gave us what we lack when we play as a visitor, the rest, fighting everything, pivoting, generating situations himself from divided balls or situations that are not very clear, and participation in the game circuit.”
Belmonte: “Toto was tireless in the axis to try to contribute to recover and give continuity to the game, perhaps it is those connectors of the first line game to the offensive line.”
Average: “Gaby, with all the experience in difficult situations, in individual duels, that’s why the fatigue also towards the end and with the entry of (Abiel) Osorio, who is a mixed center forward who goes strong and into spaces, we understood that it was the moment that I can rest.”