Boca's Season Slips Away Against Arsenal

Boca Juniors’ lackluster 2009 Aperatura campaign continued Sunday with a 1-1 draw at Arsenal. Boca dominated the first half, but only had one goal to show for it and paid the price as Arsenal equalized near the end.

After playing an uninspiring scoreless draw last week against Colon de Santa Fe in La Bombonera, Boca looked to erase that memory by scoring early at the Estadio Julio H. Grondona, but came out flat.

Just six minutes in, a long throw from Cristian Alvarez carved open the Boca defense for Sergio Sena, but the former Velez Sarsfield man’s shot hit the cross bar.

Los Xeneizes then seized control. Nicolas Gaitan was the catalyst for Boca as he linked up well with teammates and made mazy runs from deep. On 20 minutes, Juan Krupoviesa’s brilliant cross found Pocho Insua, who headed wide from six yards.

The pressure continued to mount when Gaitan beat two Arsenal defenders with a brilliant piece of individual play before forcing a good save from Cristian Campestrini.

Gaitan turned provider moments later with a brilliant through pass to Chile international Gary Medel whose powerful shot beat Campestrini. Ten minutes later, Gaitan and Medel exchanged passes again, but Campestrini was equal to Medel’s effort.

Just before half time, Gaitan’s swerving effort from outside the area flashed just inches wide of the far post.

The momentum in the second half swayed in favor of Arsenal, although Gaitan nearly doubled Boca’s lead with a dipping volley just after the restart.

Diego Galvan struck the post and then Sena headed inches wide before Arsenal finally got the breakthrough.

Alvarez beat Roberto “El Pato” Abbondanzieri with a curling free kick 15 minutes from time, sinking Boca’s chances of reaching next year’s Copa Libertadores. Alvarez’s strike was certainly well hit, but it was located somewhat centrally, and there is speculation that the Abbondanzieri of a few years ago would have done better.

The goal was the fifth direct free kick scored on El Pato this season. The former Getafe shot-stopper has made been culpable of a few blunders since returning to Boca, and questions are being raised in the Argentine press as to how much longer Abbondanzieri will remain Boca’s No. 1.

Abbondanzieri may not be the keeper he once was, but the rest of the Boca team should feel equally poor about their recent performances.

For the second straight game, captain Martin Palermo was completely invisible.

Now 36, Palermo is suffering from the absence of the injured Juan Roman Riquelme. Palermo has lost most of his mobility, and without service he has become ineffective. After such a brilliant start to the season for both club and country, Palermo is showing signs of wearing down.

Right back Hugo Ibarra, known for his over-lapping runs down the flank, was unable to get forward yesterday to provide a creative spark. The rest of the team was decimated by injuries, with Sebastian Battaglia, Gabriel Paletta, and of course Riquelme all out.

Since Riquelme got injured, the playmaking role, or enganche as it is known in Argentina, has gone to Pocho Insua who has been mediocre at best. It is clear that Insua cannot shoulder the load of a big club in the way Riquelme can.

Riquelme is all but certain to miss the rest of the Aperatura, and reports have been growing that the former Barcelona star could be purchased by Brazilian club Corinthians. The Sao Paulo based club will be celebrating its centennial in 2010, and the Timão wants to commemorate the big occasion with the Copa Libertadores, a tournament Corinthians has yet to win.

With Ronaldo already in the squad and scoring goals, Riquelme’s addition could make Corinthians the favorites.

The two clubs have yet to come to terms, and it is speculated that the decision could lie with Riquelme himself.

Boca sit 11 points adrift of the final Copa Libertadores place with five games to go. If Boca pull off the miracle and qualify for South America’s version of the Champions League, it seems be very likely that Riquelme will remain in Buenos Aires. Should Boca fail to do so, he could very well head to Brazil.

Riquelme is an idol above all others for Boca fans. It was often thought that Riquelme would never leave La Bombonera after he returned from Villareal in 2008. The player and the club made concessions for the move to happen, so the transfer would be a shock for the public.

While Riquelme's future remains in limbo, so does the aging and uninspiring Boca.