The murmur in La Bombonera grew in the last minutes of the game. Boca won 2-1 and the series against Alianza Lima was matched, which meant that the ticket to the next phase of the Copa Libertadores would be defined in the penalties. Just then, Fernando Gago made a decision that surprised everyone: replaced to Agustín Marchesín By Leandro Brey, a young man with good background in batches from the twelve steps. The coach’s bet did not go well …
Boca: Marchesín, Brey and their statistics on penalties
The determination of the DT, however, was not improvised. There were a history that justified the change. On the one hand, Marchesín’s recent statistics on penalties was not favorable: In his last year in Gremio they kicked him 18 and only held one. In his career, the former Argentine National Team at 22% of the shots From the twelve steps: of the 116 they kicked him, he barely stopped 26. And, of the 40 who executed him in a penalty shootout, held only seven.
On the other hand, the young 22 -year -old goalkeeper had demonstrated solidity: In the eighths of the Argentine Cup against workshops, he stopped a penalty and saw how two others were diverted, while in the quarterfinals, in front of Gymnastics, he starred in a historical performance by containing four of five auctions on the Newell’s court. In total, He had been executed 15 penalties in those two batches, of which he only received eight goals (47% effectiveness). However, yesterday the story was different, since it failed to avoid any of the five shots he faced.
What surprised was that Marchesín himself who suggested the variant. In the video captured by the ESPN cameras, it is observed how the goalkeeper approaches the bank and dialogues with the coaching staff several times before the change. Gago and his assistant Fabricio Coloccini had already planned the last modifications window and, After consulting with archers Cristian Muñoz coach, they decided to give Brey’s entry.
“The change was spoken at a certain point, but not taken. It was resolved at the time, ”Gago explained at a press conference. The DT argued that the decision was based on a previous work with the coaching staff and the analysis of rival performers. “Lean is more accustomed to that study, in Newell’s, he stopped four penalties in a series, against workshops he also had good records,” he added.
However, the bet did not work. Alianza Lima was impeccable in the batch. Paolo Guerrero, Fernando Gaibor, Miguel Trauco, Erick Noriega and Pablo Lavandeira converted without problems. Brey guessed the direction in four of the five auctions, but failed to stop any. In Boca, on the other hand, he missed his when Alan Velasco executed Cruzado and found the great response of Guillermo Viscarra, goalkeeper of the Peruvian team and night figure.
Elimination leaves mouth without international tournaments for 2025a hard blow for a team that had opted strong to the Copa Libertadores. Gago, questioned for his management at key moments, defended his decision, but the defeat again installed the debate on his continuity. The Bombonera witnessed another bitter night, where a thoughtful bet ended in disappointment.