Without Benedetto, Boca took a big step back

River he had won the classic against San Lorenzo on Saturday, as a visitor and although minutes before kick-off he had lost Julián Álvarez, his goalscorer-sensation whose pass was already acquired by Manchester City. A few hours later, Boca could not overcome the loss of Darío Benedetto confirmed a few hours before the game and, despite being a local at the Bombonera, suffered against Hurricane the first defeat of 2022. The stumble triggered concern that the performance was too poor.

Boca’s restlessness is understandable. It was reinforced not only with Pipa, but with other different players. However, it goes out of tune in the collective. While River, with a collection of absences, almost always gives answers.

The last days in Boca were not calm, after the discussion that DT Sebastián Battaglia had with Agustín Almendra in full practice. A disagreement that led to a harsh punishment for the player, marginalized from the squad and rightly pointed out by Benedetto as someone impossible to get on track.

Wednesday’s victory for the Copa Argentina, against modest Central Córdoba de Rosario, hardly became an oasis. Now Boca suffered another blow. This time soccer. Around noon on Sunday, it was reported that Benedetto would not play. The former Elche had received the news of the death of his grandmother, although it was later learned that he also suffers from muscle discomfort.

He imagined that Boca could miss Benedetto more than anything at the end of the plays. What was not calculated was that it would cost him so much to make a game. He did not even show lucidity with Oscar Romero as driver. The former Paraguayan San Lorenzo moved too far from the Hurricane area and did not have an impact. Sebastián Villa did not exploit his speed. No one was surprised.

Thus, in a development with minimal exciting episodes, after a corner, the Uruguayan Matías Cóccaro nailed a header against a post that meant the victory of Huracán. Only once did Boca really come close to leveling it, on the hour, when Luis Vázquez found a rebound and took a shot that he hit the crossbar.

Before Boca and its defeat, Defensa y Justicia had beaten Banfield 3-2 in a great match and Newell’s had thrashed Atlético Tucumán 4-0. After the xeneize fall, Vélez and Estudiantes tied 1-1 in Liniers. Today the fifth date of the League Cup will close with three Group B matches: Godoy Cruz – Independiente, Arsenal – Lanús and Tigre – Colón.

The positions in Group A show four leaders with 10 points: River, Defense and Justice, Union and Sarmiento. Second are Racing and Newell’s with 9. Meanwhile, in Group B, the only leader is Estudiantes with 13 units. Colón (10) will reach him today if he wins. Hurricane has 9 and Boca 8.

Precisely Boca next weekend will cross paths with the pointer Estudiantes. Then, on March 20, the day of the classics will arrive. There he will have a duel with River. They will be for Boca two crucial stories. Will he write them with Pipa Benedetto watching from the outside?

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