Even after his debut, Xeneize appeared to lack game rhythm and soul, allowing the Cyclone to seize control while still challenging River for top spot.
Before Hugo Ibarra left, it was obvious that Boca’s issue wasn’t the man on the bench but the people issuing the orders. If anyone expected Jorge Almirón’s plan, started just 48 hours earlier, to instantly fix everything, they had to admit a misread of the situation.
When Xeneize traveled to the Nuevo Gasómetro for a traditionally spicy clash, San Lorenzo was fully engaged in a fierce race with River for leadership of the league. The contrast between a club with real ambitions and one without direction was clear from the opening minutes. Within ten minutes Leguizamón found space, Valdez felt a tug at a crucial moment, and a deflection off Pol Fernández helped the Cyclone open the scoring.
With the scoreboard in their favor, the locals leaned into a high-pressure approach. Langoni and Benedetto had chances, but the hosts continued to push, guided by the relentless run of Perrito Barrios that unsettled Boca’s defense. Near the end of the first half, Sández fired a shot that Giay barely saved from turning into a red card, and Tello, after a VAR review, opted to rebuke rather than eject, nullifying the initial sending off.
The second-half shift that many anticipated did not materialize, and things worsened when Figal received a red for a mis-timed kick. From that moment on, the Cyclone missed several counter opportunities, including a bid from Vombergar that was defined as decisive in a five versus two scenario.
As the match wound down, Villa’s pressure and Boca’s waning confidence only intensified the Azulgrana’s deserved lead. River loomed as a potential setback for Boca, leaving Jorge Almirón with urgent decisions if he hopes to rescue the season and stabilize the blue and yellow’s trajectory.
The Binance Professional League Tournament 2023 schedule, results, and fixtures give fans a map of what lies ahead in the campaign. GOAL covers the evolving story with the clarity fans expect for the league battle.
SAN LORENZO – BOCA JUNIORS, MINUTE BY MINUTE
- The minute after minute between the Cyclone and the Xeneize.
- FIGICALLY EXECUTED! The defender came too late with his leg high on Vombergar and saw the second yellow card
- The controversy of the afternoon: Sández threw Giay with everything and Tello decided to throw him out, but after seeing the game in the VAR and that there was no contact, he canceled the red card and only reprimanded him
- GOAL OF SAN LORENZO! Leguizamón escaped on the left, Valdez did not follow him by a jerk and with the help of Pol Fernández it became 1-0
- And the premiere of Almirón will be with a rule of five
- With Bareiro’s return to ownership, so goes the Ciclón del Gallego
- Good evening and welcome to another broadcast of GOAL. San Lorenzo will face Boca Juniors on date 11 of the Binance 2023 tournament at Pedro Bidegain Stadium.
THE TARGET EXAMPLE
HOW TO WATCH LIVE ON TV AND STREAMING
The match between Ciclón and Xeneize will be broadcast in Argentina by ESPN premium signal available only to those who have contracted the football package with their cable television providers.
ESPN PREMIUM
FORMATIONS
SAN LORENZO
August Battle; Federico Gattoni, Carlos Sanchez, Rafa Perez; Agustín Giay, Jalil Elias, Nahuel Barrios, Malcolm Braida; Andres Vombergar, Adam Bareiro, Ivan Leguizamon. DT: Ruben Dario Insua.
MOND JUNIORS
Sergio Romero; Luis Advincula, Nicolás Figal, Nicolás Valentini, Bruno Valdez, Agustín Sandez; Pol Fernandez, Alan Varela; Luca Langoni, Dario Benedetto, Sebastian Villa. DT: Jorge Almiron.
Source: Goal