Boca Coach Arruabarrena Takes Blame for Riestra Defeat, Calls it a 'Reality Check'

Boca Juniors coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena described the team's 3-0 loss to Riestra as a "reality check" after a disappointing start to the Clausura Tournament. The defeat, which saw Boca concede three goals in the first half, left the coach visibly concerned and prompted him to take full responsibility.

"First, for the defensive part, they reached us three times and we conceded three goals. The offensive part too. We didn't do any damage, we had the ball, but we lacked the impetus to score," Arruabarrena stated. He acknowledged the loss as a "significant blow" and emphasized the club's culture of bouncing back from adversity, adding, "In this club, when you fall, you have to get back up."

The coach defended his decision to field a rotated squad, citing the short recovery time between matches and the upcoming Copa Sudamericana tie. "There are few days for recovery. I was clear with the players. I told them I would count on everyone, unfortunately we lost, but I have to think about the physical aspect," he explained. He also addressed the need for a new striker, mentioning ongoing discussions with President Juan Román Riquelme about potential reinforcements.

Arruabarrena's primary concern is the team's ability to recover from this setback. "It would be foolish not to get up or to let it hurt us," he said. He stressed the need for improved effectiveness, noting that even with possession, the team struggled to penetrate Riestra's defense. "We have things to improve, and although we had control, I like to have the ball and do damage; if not, it's useless," he concluded, vowing to generate more offensive threat in future games.

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First, for the defensive part, they reached us three times and we conceded three goals. The offensive part too. We didn't do any damage, we had the ball, but we lacked the impetus to score.