Back-to-back defeats and no goals scored, it is safe to say Boca Juniors have not reacted well to being disqualified from the Copa Libertadores. Last night in Liniers, Vélez Sarsfield were able to take advantage of that and with late goals from Fabián Cubero and Mariano Pavone, El Fortín were able to celebrate successive Primera wins for the first time since the opening two rounds.
Boca had not been defeated in the league until last weekend’s 3-0 defeat to Aldosivi and now a week later they have tasted defeat for a second time. The game itself was fairly even but Rodolfo Arruabarrena will be concerned that his side have dried up in front of goal. Dani Osvaldo has not scored in seven and starved of much service he is left to feed on scraps. Last night, when the on-loan striker did muster an effort on goal Alan Aguerre was there to thwart him in the Vélez goal.
Fabián Cubero headed the home side in front on 70 minutes and with Boca pressing for an equaliser they were dealt a blow when Fernando Gago was sent off. The Argentina midfielder slid in late on Yamil Asad to prevent a counter but Boca might well feel the punishment was harsh given that it was not denying a clear goal scoring opportunity and it was late rather than dangerous.
Either way Vélez almost immediately put the game to bed when less than a minute later, Mariano Pavone finished off a sweeping passing move.
The result meant that Boca were leapfrogged by rivals River but remain just three points off the top. Next weekend’s clash with Newell’s in La Bombonera takes on even greater importance with Boca desperate to halt this dip in form.
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