Boca is looking for a technician… Who will replace Ibarra?

Eight games ago it was a certain fact that Negro Ibarra would stop being the emerging coach of the Primera de Boca. After the defeats suffered against San Lorenzo in his urgent debut and against Patronato -match in which he conceded three goals-, I have read frequently since then that Boca was looking for a technician to replace him.

During that period, Boca’s fans manifested themselves with the fidelity and fervor with which fans who really love their jersey usually do. In successive matches, including yesterday’s against River, he made it clear with his encouragement that Ibarra was not part of his agenda. To the fans, those of Boca and those of any other club, what matters to them is winning. And they know that their role is to support.

The triumph against River Plate abandons a dilemma debated for weeks, with the risk that the worst – the one who should be replaced factually – now becomes the best, after winning the Superclásico by a bit.

In the opposite sense, it is likely that we avoid the absurd hypotheses generated by football debates about the best -Gallardo- becoming the worst, as a consequence of having lost the Superclásico. Experience tells us that one and another premise escapes the dynamic reality of football: the truth always lies with the players, the coaches are only a percentage of success and failure.

What differentiated Boca from River in yesterday’s match? The attitude and commitment with which they took on the match. Those from Boca played the Superclásico with the degree of involvement that history demands. Those of River, went to play one more game.

It would not be inaccurate to break down the details that end up defining this type of meeting. And in this sense, those River supporters who at this point wonder why Gallardo put three forwards who had dubious physical conditions could not be wrong. Such are the cases of Solari, Suárez and Quintero, whom he had to replace. And it’s fine as a football discussion, but it’s not an undisputed statement. Gallardo put them on because he thought it was the best. He didn’t do well. Does this question Gallardo’s knowledge? The answer is no.

Benedetto, author of a euphorically celebrated goal, had been criticized for his performances and even more so after the Izquierdoz episode, at a time when Ibarra was in charge of the First Division, he seemed subject to expendability. This happened yesterday, but after the goal that controversy will be buried and he will once again be the “hero” he always was for Boca fans.

The changes that occurred before the start of the second half, and still playing the final part of the game, show that the one who defends with five can defend with four (River) and the one who defended with four can go on to defend with five (Boca) and this does not demonstrate the wisdom of one over another but is in the soccer logic manual from the bench, of any team, of any division, of any category. The important thing is who are the actors who will play these roles.

Hugo Benjamín Ibarra, better known as Negro Ibarra, who plays senior category matches, when his First Division rivals play and he does not see them, and admits to being a friend of Riquelme and the Football Council and listening to the football talks that they generate, he won the Superclásico against River Plate. In other words, if he hadn’t had Benedetto for the goal, Rossi on goal, Rojo, Figal and Advíncula in the background and Ramírez in the first half, it would have been difficult for him to have won the game because he wasn’t the one who gave victory to Boca, but it was the players who gave him the victory.

Finally, Boca played as if Giunta, Cascini, and Delgado had been on the field, and although they didn’t even have an approximate Riquelme, they won the match that they had to win. For a very simple reason, he played Boca style, beat Boca style and celebrates Boca style.

To do this, anyone can be on the bench, including Negro Ibarra.

KEEP READING: