Boca Juniors delivered their strongest performance of the Almirón era, moving past the painful setback against River Plate by letting go of Pirata and allowing a fresh smile to return after the Monumental defeat.
In football, winning is always crucial. Yet this time the win carried extra weight for Boca: it had to be solid and convincing so that Jorge Almirón could anchor a cycle that began with more sensations than results. Because of that, La Bombonera celebrated a victory that signaled a meaningful step toward a future-building phase in a competition held dear by the club and its supporters.
Following a harsh defeat at the Monumental, which drew criticism for a conservative approach, the coach chose to greet Belgrano with a more ambitious lineup and the return of Darío Benedetto, while Martín Payero once again proved decisive in midfield as the pivotal player. The plan paid off after a first-half chance that narrowly sailed wide, and in the second half the moment finally arrived: a sequence at the edge of the box culminated in Benedetto’s right-footed strike, deftly finished with Losada’s aid through the center. Moments later, Advíncula furnished Benedetto with a goal from a new winger position, making it 2-0.
Even as the squad faced nearly ten injuries across lines, with Medina stepping in as an improvised holding midfielder, Óscar Romero operating from the wing, and Benedetto not yet fully fit, Boca showed defensive resolve and renewed attacking vigor. The result was a sign of the season’s new revelations and a reason to believe in a clearer path forward.
The 2023 Binance Professional League program unfolds with fixtures, dates, schedules, and results, guiding the season’s chase for glory.
Next up on GOAL, the celebration’s momentum continued in the stands and on the pitch.
BOCA JUNIORS – BELGRANO, MINUTE BY MINUTE
- Minute by minute drama unfolds between the Xeneize and the Pirate, with a narrative built on resilience and tactical tweaks.
THE TARGET EXAMPLE
HOW TO WATCH LIVE ON TV AND STREAMING
The match between Boca Juniors and El Pirata will be broadcast in Argentina by ESPN Premium, accessible to subscribers with the football package through participating cable providers.
ESPN Premium
FORMATIONS
MOND JUNIORS
Sergio Romero; Marcelo Weigandt, Facundo Roncaglia, Nicolás Figal, Frank Fabra; Luis Adíncula, Cristian Medina, Martín Payero, Óscar Romero; Darío Benedetto, Sebastián Villa. DT: Jorge Almirón.
BELGRANO
Nahuel Losada; Juan Barinaga, Erik Godoy, Nicolás Meriano, Alex Ibacache; Ulises Sánchez, Santiago Longo, Ariel Rojas, Bruno Zapelli; Franco Jara, Pablo Vegetti. DT: Guillermo Farré.
Source: Goal