BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Zero was a liar. In a match with many goalscoring opportunities and with goalkeeper Sergio “Chiquito” Romero as figurehead, Boca Juniors and Defensa y Justicia equalized on Monday at “La Bombonera”, a result that prevented “Xeneize” from reaching the head and in turn catapulted the “Halcón” to the summit shared with San Lorenzo.
In another match in the sixth round of the Argentine League, Racing Club, who had just won three consecutive victories, suffered an unexpected 2-0 loss in Mendoza against a Godoy Cruz who, conversely, chained three falls .
After the draw at “La Bombonera”, Defensa and San Lorenzo lead with 13 points, followed by Huracán -the only undefeated-, Talleres, Lanús and River, with 12, followed by Boca, with 11.
The night began with festivities in La Ribera. There were fireworks for the Super Cup won last week against the Board of Trustees and a tribute to Colombian Sebastián Villa for his 150th game at the club.
Coach Hugo Ibarra chose to repeat the trident made up of Luca Langoni, Darío Benedetto and Villa in attack, a 4-3-3 pattern that allowed the Defense to take over the midfield.
In the first quarter of an hour, Florencio Varela’s team could have scored. He generated four very clear situations, including a ball on the post and another on the crossbar. In the rest of the first stage he continued to be far superior.
“Chiquito” Romero became a giant by drowning a few shots on goal. And as usual, when so many chances are squandered, the Defense were close to ‘paying’ for their own goal, with a left-footed shot on Benedetto’s crossbar.
In the plug-in, Julio Vaccari’s team couldn’t keep up, partly because the changes didn’t go well. And when the local coach decided to add a midfielder with a mark -Cristian Medina-, the match was balanced.
An adult Boca prowled towards the goal through Paraguayan Óscar Romero (left foot kick on the post) and substitute Luis Vázquez (closer header). Likewise, the “xeneize” goalkeeper continued to work, but no longer piecemeal. “I was able to help, it’s a shame we didn’t take the three points,” said “Chiquito”.
The race was a shadow in the Malvinas Argentinas stadium. Fernando Gago’s side, which included Peru’s Paolo Guerrero, barely finished the goal twice.
Godoy Cruz took the lead with a goal in the locker room, after 50 seconds, through Tomás Conechny. And it went to 57, with a free kick from Uruguayan Salomón Rodríguez.
The “Academy” was confined to the 16th. position, five points behind the leaders.
“As every defeat is bad… if you want to be champions, you have to learn how to play these games,” admitted Chilean goalkeeper Gabriel Arias.
In another game on Monday, Belgrano de Córdoba beat Arsenal 1-0 at home, the executioner of River Plate the previous date at the “Monumental”.