It had to be like this to Boca, with a goal from Boca’s five, with a goal born of emotion, of sacrifice, of the fight, of the anguish, of the battle won in that place on the pitch by Battaglia himself. The classification, the unforgettable week, the 72nd star, the cupbearer’s dream, suddenly come together in a clenched fist, in the same cry, in the same Bombonera that explodes, that vents, that shudders, that beats. Boca, the champion, is in the second round. Boca, the champion, is still a candidate. Boca, the champion, beat Deportivo Cali 1-0 and follows his dream in search of the Seventh. Never, but never, you have to give him up for dead.
Varela’s goal
It had to be that way, too, because Battaglia’s team deserved it from the start. Soccer-wise, at that stage, he passed it over Cali. With a first line of pressure accompanied by their defenders, with dynamic midfielders, with a spicy Zeballos and a threatening Benedetto. If he didn’t win it before, if the qualifying goal was desired, it was precisely because the team did the thick embroidery, but failed in the fine one, in that last stitch.
Nevertheless, at all times he warned that he was fine, that he was whole, that there was nothing to be alarmed about, that he deserved the classification, that by specific weight, that goal was going to come. And in that warning, Varela was always involved. It was not accidental. Probably never in his career has he hit the goal so many times. But the Colombian team was so withdrawn and Boca so advanced that Alan was always in an attacking position, floating at the door of the area. And from there, he jerked once and hit the stick. He shook another one and went just outside. He shook again and it went high. Yes, like the sniper who calibrates the sight…
The fourth, just the fourth, was the charm. It was 8 minutes into the second half, after a clearance by the goalkeeper that fell short, or rather, that was just to his right. And this time the ball went to De Amores because goals are just that: love. And especially for Varela, because it was the first, which he will never forget not only for that reason, but for the meaning it had for this Boca, for the champion, for that tireless search that he has pursued since 2007. That is also why his tears.
Battaglia’s team once again played to win and won. Another time he had a kill-kill, the eighth of this cycle, and passed it. Again he had to show personality, courage, authority and he did it. This time, he won’t even be able to question the soccer plan, because he dominated the game, because he had control, because he also created situations, because defensively he was solid in general lines and when he had to suffer, Rossi appeared, with two key covers, one in each timeto sustain that tremendous mark of only one goal conceded in nine games.
mouth, andhe champion, not only qualified. Also, he did it first (because Corinthians tied at home with Always Ready). And then, it will not cross paths with River at least in the round of 16. And probably, he will even get a somewhat more accessible rival than he would have played as second (that, anyway, will be determined by today’s draw). Anyway, it’s the least. La Bombonera, its people, its players, celebrated it in full. First in soccer in Argentine soccer. And first and classified in group E of the Cup. And now who stops him?
This is how the drums were
This is how the drums of the Libertadores remained (Photo: Gustavo Paul).
The players celebrated with the people
Pol Fernández wasted a hand in hand
Rossi covered a dangerous one on the end
We would like to say thanks to the writer of this article for this remarkable content
Party at the Bombonera: Boca won and finished first in their group