Arruabarrena takes full blame after Boca’s humiliating 3-0 loss to Riestra: “The dressing room is a cemetery”

Rodolfo Arruabarrena did not hide after Boca Juniors suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Riestra in the Argentine Torneo Clausura on Sunday night. The manager took full responsibility, explained his decision to rotate seven players, and immediately turned attention to Thursday’s Copa Sudamericana final against O’Higgins in Chile.

The loss at the Guillermo Laza stadium in Bajo Flores exposed deep defensive frailties and a lack of attacking urgency. “We failed in the first half. They came at us three times and scored three goals. In attack we did not cause damage, we did not have the impetus to go for the goal,” Arruabarrena said after the match, as reported by Ole.

Defeat and manager’s reaction

Arruabarrena, visibly shaken, began his press conference by accepting full blame. “The first responsible is me, the responsible for this defeat is me. We have to keep insisting on some things, improve in many areas and get up. When you fall, you have to get up quickly. In four days we have the final of the Copa Sudamericana,” he said. He described the defeat as “a hard blow, a bucket of cold water.”

The manager’s strongest comment came when he described the atmosphere inside the locker room. “The dressing room is a cemetery. And that is fine, it should hurt. But tomorrow we have to start working for the match against O’Higgins. There is no time for lamenting, only for correcting and making sure the mistakes are not repeated,” he added.

Rotation and recovery concerns

Arruabarrena was pressed about his decision to change half the team from the side that had played in the Copa Sudamericana. He explained that the schedule simply did not allow enough recovery time. “We finished on the 23rd at night and they did not reach 72 hours of rest. As I always said, I was clear with the players: I am the one who puts them in. There is a defeat, but I also have to think about the physical side,” he said. The seven changes included resting several regular starters, but the gamble backfired badly.

Search for a striker

The absence of a recognised centre-forward has been a recurring topic at Boca, especially after the injury to Bareiro and the uncertain situation with Adam. Arruabarrena did not avoid the question but insisted the problem was not limited to that position. “We are with the president looking for a No. 9 because of Bareiro, we will see what happens with Adam. But this defeat is not only about a No. 9. We have failed in other areas that have nothing to do with having or not having a striker. In the first half they came three times and scored three goals. In the second half we had more possession but we did not trouble them, we did not have the impetus to go for the goal. That is what worries me most,” he said.

The bigger picture: Copa Sudamericana final

The true test for Arruabarrena and his squad will come on Thursday when they face O’Higgins in what is effectively a final in the Copa Sudamericana. The manager admitted that the three first-half goals could affect the team’s morale, but he insisted that recovery is the only option. “I am worried that we might not know how to recover from this defeat. It would be stupid to let it hurt us more than it already has. We are Boca. We will work to get the result we need in Chile,” he said.

The defeat also served as a harsh reality check after a period of relative success in the continental competition. “Argentine football hits you with a sledgehammer and brings you back to reality. We have to be cautious, see victories and defeats in their proper measure,” Arruabarrena concluded.

For Boca fans, the immediate question is whether the squad can mentally reset in just four days. The manager’s blunt honesty may help, but the performance against Riestra raised serious doubts about defensive organisation and attacking sharpness. Thursday’s match in Chile will reveal whether the “cemetery” mood can be turned into a fighting spirit.

Source: Ole – Arruabarrena, durísimo: “El vestuario es un cementerio”, “Faltó ímpetu para ir a buscarlo” y “Me preocupa no levantarnos de esta derrota” (https://www.ole.com.ar/boca-juniors/rodolfo-vasco-arruabarrena-declaraciones-conferencia-derrota-boca-riestra-torneo-clausura_0_KrttWv6KrQ.html)