The CONMEBOL Libertadores 2023 semifinals are already underway. Boca Juniors and Palmeiras opened their series with an attractive draw at La Bombonera on Thursday night, in a duel that despite not having goals was packed with action. Everything will be defined next week at the Allianz Parque, when Verdao hosts Xeneize on Thursday, October 5 at 9:30 p.m. (local time).
The local team had a good presentation, with quite a few dangerous chances. Miguel Merentiel, former player of the São Paulo team, perhaps had the clearest scoring chance in the first half, although Edinson Cavani also came close on several occasions. The veteran Uruguayan striker, in fact, was asked about it after the game, although he seemed bothered by the question.
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Edinson Cavani, upset with a post-match question
“What are the clear ideas I had? Let’s see… Do you think the balls are that clear? “That’s what it seems to you,” Cavani replied when asked about the chances he couldn’t convert. The 36-year-old attacker, who joined Boca in the last transfer market, maintained that his opportunities were not as simple as they seemed: “On the pitch, things are not as easy as they sometimes look from the outside. Sometimes they come in, sometimes they don’t. “We have to continue with faith and continue working.”
Gustavo Gómez, self-critical but confident
The Palmeiras captain also spoke after the tie, and admitted that Verdao could have done better: “I think we didn’t play well in the first half. Obviously, Boca also studies the rival and in the second half we were able to adjust. Now to rest, play the Brasileirao match, we are there fighting too, and then think about the return match.”
Before receiving Boca for revenge, Palmeiras will visit Bragantino on Sunday, October 1, for matchday 25 of the Brazilian championship.
