the complicated outlook for the Copa Sudamericana Playoffs

The fan sings because Boca He returns goals, but leaves with a half-mast smile. The resounding victory against Nacional Potosí not enough to qualify for the round of 16 from South American Cup. Fortaleza prevails in Brazil before Sportsman Trinidad and it asserts that final cry from Venezuelan Kevin Andrade, right here, two weeks ago. And since the matches are defined in details, the negative balance includes that penalty that Dario Benedetto – today separated from the squad – he finished off towards the crossbar in Bolivia.

Definitely, Boca will have to face a playoff against one of the third teams of the Libertadores to sustain the continental dream, which implies another degree of difficulty. Then you will not be able to count on Paul Fernandez, who reached the third yellow. And since this head-to-head will be played between July 16 and 25, there will not be the availability of those footballers summoned to the Olympic Games. Today, Javier Mascherano has blocked five of them on the list of 50, which will end up being polished until reaching 18 summoned and 4 reserves: Leandro Brey, Kevin Zenon, Equi Fernandez, Christian Medina y Nicolas Valentini.

Boca came out determined to crush Nacional Potosí and did not let them breathe in the first half. How overwhelming it must have been that after 20 minutes they were already winning 3-0. And they did not score four goals at that stage because the VAR annulled Lucas Janson’s shout because at the start of the play, Edinson Cavani He was in an advanced position when he started from the middle of the field.

Fast, intense, dynamic and explosive. With these attributes, Boca overcame a lower-ranking rival who always ran after the ball. There were high individual levels, beyond the well-oiled collective functioning. Especially, from the central circle onwards. The game was developing at the feet of Fernández, Equi and Pol, and took on a great dimension when Kevin Zenón intervened.

The Corrientes native is the best current footballer with the blue and gold shirt. And if he had been conspicuous by his absence against Talleres, this Wednesday he stood out for his influence on the Bombonera grass. His first goal came early. Marcelo Saracchi left Zenón at the door of the area and defined with the class of a star. Left-footed, he nailed it into Said Mustafá’s angle, whose photographic flight added spectacularity to the resolution.

Five minutes later, Pol Fernández intercepted a pass and assisted Cavani, which a moment before had wandered under the arch. The Uruguayan had revenge and did not forgive the Bolivian goalkeeper.

And after a while, there was another great play that started with Sergio Romero leaving for Marcos Rojo, Lautaro Blanco, Pol and Equi Fernández participated and Zenón moved the ball so that Saracchiby surprise, scored with a left foot at the near post.

The goals that Boca needed were coming true, but the news coming from Brazil was not positive due to Fortaleza’s victory. The fan understood the context and encouraged, driven by the frenetic pace of his team, while Mustafa suffered because his teammates did not give him a hand and he had to wallow. The visiting number one, at least, excelled with a double block against Janson and Saracchi.

Nacional Potosí almost failed to cross the central zone and its only approach to Romero’s goal was through a cross or that shot from Salo Guerra that Chiquito controlled without major difficulties.

Nothing changed in the second half. Boca continued to dominate. And almost as if it were a baby soccer game, he stepped into the area with just one touch. The fourth didn’t take long to arrive. It was from a corner that Zenón played short for Blanco, the side’s passed center found a great suddenness from Cavani who scored a lob, Lema headed in from point-blank range, Mustafá blocked and Rojo captured the rebound with his left foot.

Diego Martínez warned that it was time to regulate energy for the duel with Platense and began to move the bench. Rojo, Equi and Cavani came out and they had the pleasure of bringing in three kids: Lautaro Di Lollo (20 years old), Mauricio Benítez (20) and Iker Zufiaurre (18).

There were more changes, a show of possession by Boca, although somewhat relaxed due to the situation and another goal disallowed (to Zufiaurre) due to offside. The result here and there was set. And the future in South America will be seen.