Arruabarrena after the draw: injuries and hunt for another signing | OneFootball

Rodolfo Arruabarrena analyzed the clásico against Racing and reviewed the current state of the Xeneize squad. In an extensive press conference after the 1-1 draw in Avellaneda, the coach of the blue-and-gold club addressed his team’s performance, the difficulties caused by injuries, and the board’s stance on one final signing. He also confirmed the work plan ahead of the clash against Lanús at La Bombonera.

Boca earned another 1-1 draw against Racing at the Presidente Perón stadium in Avellaneda, in an evenly matched clásico that left the coaching staff with plenty to reflect on. The team led by Vasco Arruabarrena had to overcome spells of extreme physical fatigue and unexpected setbacks that altered the initial game plan over the ninety minutes.

The club from La Ribera has been dealing with a brutal run of matches, piling up high-intensity games without any extended rest. Despite the heavy schedule and the absences suffered, the Xeneize side’s football structure responded with collective solidity to remain competitive.

Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s coaching staff. Photo: Gerónimo Marino/La Número 12.

In that context, the emergence of young players was decisive in maintaining tactical order and covering for the absentees. Pleased with the group’s attitude and commitment, the coach highlighted that the youngsters’ response gives him complete peace of mind for what lies ahead because “they’re up to the task.”

Arruabarrena analyzed the draw against Racing

“I liked the commitment, the play. I think we had the clearest chances. I don’t know what the possession was like, I suppose Racing may have been one or two points above us, but I think we had the clearest chances. They had a bit more of the ball in the second half, but they didn’t manage to trouble us,” said the blue-and-gold club’s coach when assessing the game.

Along those same lines, Vasco Arruabarrena analyzed the controversial play that led to the opener for the opposition and the composure shown by his players: “It’s a match, it’s a clásico, and it’s played this way. The little details make the difference. We came in there not asleep, but it’s a play where we make a mistake or it’s a stamp... I don’t know if it’s a penalty or not, but if they called it, then it’s a penalty. And once again we had to come from behind.”

Likewise, Vasco stressed the importance of squad rotation at a time when physical wear and tear is starting to be felt: “We were calm for much of the match. There were some injuries, the youngsters came on, and honestly that comforts me because they’re up to the task. We’ve had a lot of matches and it’s normal for injuries to appear. What we have to do here is, as I said the other day, keep working. I need the whole group, I need every player, and I think we’ve shown that.”

To wrap up his football analysis, the manager praised the individual performances that allowed his team to keep up the pace: “Today Facu Herrera came on in the second half and responded very well, Camilo (Rey Domenech) from the start... Then it was Toto (Belmonte), Enner (Valencia) in difficult moments, and they keep responding. Now we’ll have a couple of days to recover and start thinking about Lanús. After that, not much else. We’d like to take all three points, but these are tough, difficult matches, and they’re taking them on.”

Arruabarrena and the search for another signing

In the current transfer window, the board of the club from La Ribera managed to complete four signings to strengthen the squad: Leandro Lozano, Álvaro Montero, Sebastián Villa and Enner Valencia. However, considering that the transfer window will remain open until next September 2, the possibility of adding a fifth signing has not been ruled out in the Boca world.

In response to media reports claiming there had been a formal request for a midfielder, the Xeneize coach was categorical about the priorities and implied that he wants a center-back: “I’m always in contact with the president. Chelo is with us, I already told him. He knows what I need. I’ve already seen reports saying that I spoke and asked for a midfielder on the plane, but no.”

Boca’s players. Photo: Gerónimo Marino/La Número 12.

In the same vein, Arruabarrena added: “We’re very clear about it: there are negotiations, it’s very difficult, we have little time, and I always say that whoever comes has to raise the level, not just add numbers. I don’t want to add for the sake of it, even though we’re a bit short in defense with some injured players. If it’s not a real upgrade, I don’t think they’ll come.”

Arruabarrena and concern over injuries

The list of injured players is one of the main concerns for the blue-and-gold club’s coaching staff. At the moment, Leandro Paredes, Marco Pellegrino, Lautaro Di Lollo and Leandro Lozano are all going through their respective rehabilitation processes. On that, the coach gave an update on their progress: “They’re in the recovery process, they’re doing well. They’re not going to have a day off, that’s obvious; they’re going to work, but we’re trying to have them back as soon as possible.”

However, the manager made it clear that he will not rush their returns to avoid regretting bigger complications in the future. “We’re not going to take risks, that’s obvious, because then we could have them out for even longer. But they’re doing well and making progress. Today I think Ayrton (Costa) did come off injured, so that’ll be one less soldier, but it is what it is,” lamented Vasco after the physical toll in Avellaneda.

The rest day granted with Lanús in mind

After a month of maximum demands and continuous training camp duty, the coach decided to give the Boca squad a day off. “We’ve come through a month, a month and a bit, of many matches and I haven’t had a single complaint. In camp, away from the family,” the coach explained at the press conference, justifying that this Monday his players will have “a day off because they deserve it,” with the exception that the injured players will train at the Ezeiza facility.

The celebration of the equalizer at the Cilindro in Avellaneda. Photo: Gerónimo Marino/La Número 12.

Physical recovery and tactical preparation ahead of the next match against Lanús, scheduled for Friday, August 28, will resume on Tuesday. In that context, Arruabarrena’s main goal will be focused on being strong again in front of his home crowd: “We return to La Bombonera and hopefully we can get the three points.”

Keep reading:

Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s decision with the squad after the draw against Racing

Boca’s ratings in the draw against Racing at the Cilindro

When Boca play again after drawing with Racing

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.