Matías Bustos Milla
03/29/2021 16:03
Clarín.com
sports
Updated 03/29/2021 4:03 PM
Marcos Rojo's arrival in Boca was, after all, the only addition to the January transfer market for the team that won the last two trophies at stake in Argentine soccer.
And the deadlines provided by the coaching staff and by the squad's physical trainer were drawn up in stages until reaching Sunday's classic against Independiente as his great test: the center-back completed the 90 minutes of the game since he arrived at the club and settled as a piece holder for Miguel Ángel Russo.
Still with remnants of the year and a half almost without competition, yes.
But with
a personality that easily emerges
in a curriculum that points to two World Cups with the Argentine National Team on their backs.
Thus, the irruption of the former Manchester United in the last line already gave different signals to those that had been having: the line of three centrals was implemented with force since their hiring.
With the confidence to ask to kick a free kick and get closer to Tevez and Villa for the execution of the penalty on the hour against Independiente, Rojo also quickly entered the facet of imposing himself as a leader on the playing field.
In the coaching staff they value indoors that, even with doubts about his physique,
the center-back always said he was ready to take the field
.
Rojo was the starter in Avellaneda.
(Photo: Maxi Failla).
He did it to debut from the substitute bench in the last edition of the Superclásico and his minutes increased: 33 against Talleres, 56 for the Argentine Cup and until the end of the game with Independiente.
With the line of three centrals, Rojo will always be the one who plays on the left and they will alternate in the other positions between Izquierdoz, Zambrano and Lisandro López.
But the former Students can also be an option as a left back if the DT opts for a more defensive line of 4 at some point and that it mutes into a 3 when Boca attacks.
It is that Rojo provides options in the game system as he is the only left-handed center-back on the squad after Gastón Ávila went on loan to Rosario Central.
Rojo completed the 90 minutes against Independiente.
(Photo: AFP).
His voice also began to be heard.
In a last line in which the crossing between Izquierdoz and Fabra before Talleres was
looped
on TV, the emerging figure of Rojo was also born with force.
Those who know him believe that in the medium term he will carry the tape when Tevez or Izquierdoz are absent.
Rojo was firm on the mark against Independiente but still lacked rhythm when he had to leave the area to cut off some progress.
At the end of the game, however, he was encouraged to advance with the ball and reached the rival area to put a center back.
The handling of the ball, its exit and the mark of a great team player are characteristics that they value indoors.
At least for now.
For Saturday's game against Defense and Justice, it will be Russo who determines if he holds the line of three centrals - for now he only used it in the two classics of the semester - or if he gives a clue to the change in the system.
In that case, the decision on Rojo will go through the premise of to dose his playing minutes thinking about the start of the Copa Libertadores at the end of April.
And the doubt will go through another name.
If Red is established as a starter, who will be his partner behind if the line of 4 returns?
Look also
The most controversial plays of the classic between Boca and Independiente: from the stomp of Insaurralde to the penalty not charged to Palacios
Tevez and Russo agreed: Boca pays dearly for its mistakes
