Clásico con tension y sinpuntero: Mele fue la figura en Avellaneda

Seamos sinceros: el resultado reflects a match that wasalive, tense and full of clear chances. But no one left with the three points. Independent and Boca finished tied 0-0 in the Clausura's fourteenth round at the Estadio Libertadores de América, in a classic where the goals did not appear and the best plays were wasted.

The first half was more convincing for Boca. Merentiel ended up alone against Santiago Mele after a cross from Flores, but could not finish. Minutes later, Flores received a long pass from Lozano and failed to score with the goal at his feet. Two gifts, really, that should have been taken advantage of.

Mele, the Uruguayan goalkeeper who started in place of Rodrigo Rey, was the key figure. Besides dealing with those dangerous situations, he made a decisive save against a left-footed shot by Merentiel. The goalkeeper's performance was the clearest answer on the field: Boca had the initiative, but the local team found its safety net.

Independent also generated its chances. Avila produced two dangerous plays in succession: he deflected a shot after an action by Montiel and later searched for the angle with his left foot, although the ball went close to the post. Montiel, the most active player for the Rojo, tried to finish a counterattack, but his shot lacked power.

A match with extra temperature

The temperature rose when Alan Velasco, an Independent former player who chose Boca after returning from the United States league, was replaced in the second half. The local crowd greeted him with whistles and insults from the moment he entered the field. The decision was clear: the past was not forgotten, and the stands made their position known.

Velasco's replacement also had consequences in the final stretch. Marcone received his fifth yellow card of the season for a foul on Ascacibar and will miss the next match against Defensa y Justicia. Avila was also booked for pushing Braida. Cards, tension and a field that became more disputed as the game went on.

There was also political movement around the stadium. Independent's presidential election is scheduled for December 13, with Gaston Gaudio, Enrique Sacco and Luciano Nakis as candidates. The club's institutional activity was present, even in the surroundings of a match that ended without goals.

“Did either team deserve to take the match, or does the draw reflect what was seen on the pitch?”Cristian D'Amico, Deportes

• The match ended 0-0 at the Estadio Libertadores de América.
• Mele was the standout player for Independent.
• Boca wasted clear chances through Merentiel and Flores.
• Independent also failed to take advantage of its opportunities.
• Marcone is suspended for the next match against Defensa y Justicia.

For me, the draw was fair. Boca had the sharper passages and Independent had the figure who kept the result standing. The goals, however, were missing from the script. The next opponents are Defensa y Justicia and the stage is still waiting. The Independiente-Boca rivalry remains, the disappointing finish remains, and the Libertadores de América remains the stage for another classic.