Goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín reveals peculiar account on switching goalkeepers before Alianza Lima encounter, highlighting a significant Boca Juniors figure
Rewritten Article:
The gash from that fateful night of the Bombonerazo is still an open wound at Boca Junior's stadium. Despite brushing off that regrettable clash against Alianza Lima during the Copa Libertadores' Phase 2, there's a plethora of loose ends that need clearing up.
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One puzzling situation involves the sudden departure of Agustin Marchesin, just before the crucial rematch's conclusion. Catching everyone off guard, the seasoned goalkeeper vacated La Bombonera, leaving young Leandro Brey to pick up the pieces.
This unexpected move proved disastrous. Brey, a specialist in making miracles with penalties, couldn't stop Alianza's players' shots, which resulted in Marchesin becoming a running joke among his adversaries due to his hasty decision. Now breaking his silence, Agustin revealed the real story behind his departure.
"I've got the whole story straight in my head. I can't negate it or defend it, because that would be a waste of time and potentially hurt feelings unnecessarily," he confided in an interview with Continental Radio.
The Remembrance of that unforgettable embarrassment, a stain in Boca Junior's history, left Marchesin uneasy. He refused to entertain the notion that he purposely abandoned the team against Alianza Lima, even though he did face them at Matute, albeit not at full capacity.
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Despite the cameras' focus on Marchesin showing signs of wanting to leave the scene, the man himself asserts that his decision didn't come from him but from Fernando Gago, his coach.
"If there are penalties, the coach is the one who makes the call. He's an exceptional coach, a man I've always admired," Marchesin explained, creating a new storm in Boca Junior's lair.
"He made the decision, and one has to respect it. Leandro is excellent in that aspect, saving four penalties against Gimnasia before this match. The coach decided the best move for the team was this swap, and one must respect the decision because we all want the best and will do whatever it takes to achieve success," Agustin** concluded.
Prior to his dismissal, Gago spoke candidly about this matter: "Leandro Brey had saved four penalties in the Copa Argentina. I spoke to Agustin briefly during the match's flow, and then I made the call."
"We hadn't discussed the possibility of going to penalties. When it happened, I made the decision—it was very clear," Gago admitted. Meanwhile, he concluded by praising Marchesin's stance: "He had the guts to say 'I have no problems' and I entirely own up to the responsibility," he expounded.
The upset achieved by Alianza Lima at La Bombonera on February 25, 2025, was historic. After tying during regulation time, their victory in the penalty shootout (5-4) eliminated Boca Junior's from the Copa Libertadores, allowing them to advance to the tournament's Phase 3. Guillermo Viscarra saved the decisive penalty, securing their progression.
Related Topics
- Agustín Marchesín
- Alianza Lima
- Copa Libertadores
- Boca Juniors
- Peru Sports
- Agustin Marchesin, who left Boca Junior's team unexpectedly during the crucial rematch against Alianza Lima in the Copa Libertadores, revealed the real story behind his departure in an interview.
- In the same interview, Marchesin explained that Fernando Gago, his coach, made the call for him to leave the match, citing Leandro Brey's penalty-saving prowess as the reason.
- Despite the embarrassing loss to Alianza Lima, Boca Juniors are still contenders in European-leagues, with the Premier-league being a notable potential destination.
- Sensitivities surrounding the unfortunate incident between Boca Junior's and Alianza Lima have yielded new discussions about coaching decisions and player roles, sparking debates within the sports community.
- As the Copa Libertadores continues, Boca Junior's football team must address these loose ends in order to avoid similar misfortunes and move forward with a clear strategy, capitalizing on their strengths and minimizing their vulnerabilities in upcoming matches.
