Boca Punch In, Take Care of Business, Then Punch Out.

By: Mauro | May 22nd, 2008

That’s what it seemed like anyway. It’s like they had been off the last week and just now realized the gravity of the situation. It’s as if there was no need to overdo it in the first leg because they knew they could put Atlas away in the second leg. That’s the kind of confidence that Boca played with.

The match started off with Boca playing the part of the protagonist, and Atlas, unfortunately for them, played the part of the prey. Martín Palermo was very mobile, more mobile than I have seen him so far in the Libertadores. And he did as he pleased until the 20th minute when he confirmed his ownership of this match. With a great pass by Riquelme, he was able to do a half turn and knock the ball into the back of the net off the keeper Jorge Bava, all in one move. 1-0 to Boca.

But it wasn’t quite over yet. Atlas was still undecided as to what they had meant to do in this match, forward Bruno Marioni was the only one who threatened in Boca’s penalty area. Still, in the 33rd minute, on a counterattack Rodrigo Palacio was able to find a wide open streaking Palermo who didn’t hesitate and buried the ball in the back of the net. 2-0 to Boca. This goal reminded me of the ones he scored against Real Madrid back in 2000, where he one timed them into the back of the net. Excellent finishing.

It was a like a cold bucket of water in the face for the Atlas players who had almost no time to react. And they needed to. Because only 5 minutes later, Palermo made Atlas’ defense pay again. This time from outside the penalty area off a pass from Cristian Chávez. Palermo lobbed the ball perfectly over Bava who could do nothing but watch it hit the back of the net. 3-0 to Boca and the stadium and Atlas players went cold.

The second half seemed to have Atlas come on with a bit more spark but only four minutes in, Riquelme placed the ball ahead of Palacio and he beat his defender and was about to beat Bava, who came out to meet him outside the penalty area, and the keeper did what anyone would do in that situation. He fouled the shit out of him, leaving the ref with no choice but to send him off. Red card for Bava and Atlas faced an even steeper uphill battle, because at this point, they need to win this match in order to advance, drawing it wouldn’t be enough. Basically, four goals with ten men on the pitch.

Eduardo Rergis had to come off so that backup keeper Pedro Hernández could come on and cover the empty net. Atlas retreated into their half of the pitch and it was in this condition that they actually looked a little more solid in the back and were able to move forward in a much more organized manner. But Riquelme had already found the space he needed in the midfield and there was no turning back.

Marioni had a few opportunities to score, but Boca’s back up, now starting goal keeper, Pablo Migliore, responded really well to keep his sheet clean. Boca had a few more chances to score in the second half but failed to convert. They never let go of the stranglehold on the match. Morel Rodriguez was the defensive marshall on the back line and was fantastic in a defense that is still a little questionable but the offense was good enough to keep the opposition busy.

I had this one going 1-1 and going to penalties. Boca took care of it in regulation and we’ve all forgotten about Atlas at this point. Boca look to either Fluminense in the Semis or San Lorenzo should they beat LDU Quito tonight.

If you can understand Spanish, it’s great to hear the biased Mexican announcers’ spirit fade as they watch Atlas fall to pieces, especially on the third goal. He had trouble even calling the play as emphatically and impartially as he should have. I have a special contempt for the Mexican TV and their broadcasters. If you’re interested as to why, comment this page and I’ll let you know.

Check the CONMEBOL website for results, stats and upcoming matches.