Arruabarrena's plan to cover the latest 2 injury absences | OneFootball

Rodolfo Arruabarrena must reshape his team following several recent injury setbacks in the squad. The Boca Juniors head coach has five days to decide on his starting lineup for the next match against Instituto in Córdoba.

Following the comfortable 3-0 win over Unión at La Bombonera, the head coach is assessing his first-team options and has reaffirmed that he will draw on the youth academy to keep the squad competitive. The club from La Ribera continues to face a demanding schedule in which every option matters.

The emphatic victory over Unión left a bittersweet feeling around the blue-and-gold club because of the physical setbacks suffered by key players. Alan Velasco, who had been cementing his place as an undisputed starter thanks to his outstanding performances, had to come off 15 minutes into the second half after feeling a sharp pain in his muscle. The 24-year-old forward was visibly in pain as he was substituted, pointing to a muscle tear that will keep him off the pitch for several weeks.

Alan Velasco suffered a muscle injury and will miss several matches. Photo: Julian Martinez/NurPhoto via Getty Images.

This enforced change comes on top of Tomás Belmonte’s serious injury. He recently underwent surgery for a torn meniscus sustained in training. Although his rehabilitation is progressing well, the midfielder’s absence deprives Boca of a key source of defensive cover and energy in central midfield. These setbacks force the coaching staff to restructure the lineup at a decisive stage of the league campaign, the Copa Sudamericana and the Copa Argentina.

Against this backdrop, the coach publicly reviewed the options in his squad to replace Velasco’s ability to unlock defenses. Players such as Sebastián Villa, Carlos Palacios and Ángel Romero are under consideration. The coach’s main goal is to maintain the team’s scoring efficiency without sacrificing the balance that has made it so solid in recent outings.

Tomás Belmonte underwent knee surgery.

Arruabarrena’s options

Meanwhile, the coaching staff is also looking to the club’s academy to maintain squad depth day to day. Coordinating with Mariano Herrón at Boca Predio will be crucial to promoting young players capable of stepping up to the first team when the time is right. Joaquín Ruiz is among those who will return to first-team training. The youngster, who has already made his top-flight debut, joins fellow additions Rodrigo Bacidalupe and Franco Pérez, who also spend time with the reserve team.

Boca’s next challenge will be against Instituto de Córdoba in the 12th round of the domestic competition at the Mario Alberto Kempes stadium. The match, scheduled for Friday, October 9 at 7:30 p.m. and broadcast on TNT Sports, will require a clear rethink of the starting lineup. Arruabarrena must quickly decide whether to rely on the experience of his established players or give his young talents immediate playing time.

Arruabarrena’s Boca are enjoying an excellent run of form. Photo: Gerónimo Marino/La Número 12.

Belmonte’s gradual return, expected in about a month, gives the coaching staff some certainty for the final stretch of the competition. However, the demanding schedule leaves no room for error, and Boca will need the replacements to deliver solid performances from the very first minute. Maintaining their positive run in the domestic league will be crucial to strengthening their title ambitions at this decisive stage of the year.

Keep reading:

Boca await confirmation of where they will play the second leg: Vasco cannot use the Maracanã

Alan Velasco’s injury confirmed: the Boca matches he will miss

Carlos Palacios could return to Boca’s starting lineup

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