Boca Juniors’ Roberto Abbondanzieri Gives Rosario Central Their Christmas Presents Early

Boca Juniors were let down in their quest for next year’s Copa Libertadores by a couple of gaffes from veteran goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri, who gifted all three points to Rosario Central.

Alfio Basile’s side remain seven points adrift of making it into the upcoming edition of South America’s most prestigious club tournament after falling to yet another defeat on the road.

‘Pato’ Abbondanzieri can look back on a sparkling career with Boca Juniors, having made over 200 appearances during which time he claimed three Copa Libertadores triumphs.

This season, however, the 37-year-old has been at fault far too often for the Boca faithful’s liking and is in danger of shading his heroic status with the fans.

Both the goals he conceded on Sunday in Boca’s 2-1 defeat to Rosario Central came from a lack of anticipation, which can only be put down to a slowing up of his once cat-like reflexes.

Central’s first came direct from a free kick. Abbondanzieri began to move before the ball was even struck. This left him no chance to change direction and stop the ball heading into the corner of the net completely unprotected by his wall.

If that was hard for Boca fans to stomach, the winning goal came from an even worse mistake from the former Argentine international. Poor defending from Fabian Monzon allowed Gonzalo Castillejos to stroll unopposed into Boca’s penalty area.

As the forward hit the byline a quick look up told him Abbondanzieri was expecting him to pull the ball back across the six-yard box. With the 'keeper showing Castillejos clear daylight at his near post, the striker responded by slamming the ball in the gaping space between veteran custodian and his upright.

Abbondanzieri’s performance earned him the indignation of a 2/10 in local sport rag Ole. Now Boca fans must now hope for a miracle if they are recoup the seven points needed for Copa Libertadores qualification. There are only seven Apertura games left to play.

Tim Sturtridge, Goal.com