Marco Pellegrino set to replace Ayrton Costa for Boca v Católica | OneFootball

The match against Cruzeiro left very serious consequences and Boca urgently needs to rebuild its back line. Ayrton Costa picked up his third yellow card and is suspended for the next match. Because of this, Marco Pellegrino is the leading candidate to join the starting lineup against Universidad Católica.

The battle-hardened center back was one of three players walking a tightrope for Xeneize. Like Leandro Paredes and Lautaro Blanco, he knew that just one hard challenge or complaint would rule him out of the next match.

The coaching staff’s fear became reality in the extremely physical match played last night at La Bombonera. Ayrton Costa reached the limit of three bookings and will miss the sixth and final matchday of the continental competition, where the team’s place in the round of 16 is on the line.

This significant absence forces the team to reshuffle. The coach’s only possible option has a first and last name: Marco Pellegrino. The center back is shaping up to fill the spot left vacant by the automatic suspension of the former Royal Antwerp player.

Pellegrino would start on Thursday the 28th against Universidad Católica. Photo: Javier Martino/CABJ Press.

Úbeda’s plan with Marco Pellegrino in defense

In the hallways of the Ezeiza training ground, Marco Pellegrino’s name is being mentioned as the immediate solution. The center back is the top favorite to take over the vacant spot. So far this semester, the former Huracán defender has played in the matches where the coach chose to rotate the squad.

He has played a total of 6 matches, totaling 451 minutes on the field. His last appearance came in Boca’s 2-1 win over Central Córdoba, a match played on May 2 in Santiago in the Apertura Tournament.

The center back will play again. Photo: Alejandro PagniAFP via Getty Images.

The main idea is for him to quickly adapt to the team’s rhythm and form a partnership with Lautaro Di Lollo. Both will have the huge responsibility of protecting the box against the Chilean side’s attacks. To complete the back line, the fullbacks already appear to be fully decided. Malcom Braida will remain on the right flank and Lautaro Blanco will do the same on the left.

Marco Pellegrino’s inclusion promises to bring strong physical presence and good aerial play. Everything indicates that the defender will get his deserved international opportunity after several good performances whenever he was called upon.

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