Merentiel back in the squad, could start with attacking options limited | OneFootball

Merentiel back in the squad, could start with attacking options limited | OneFootball

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·5 February 2026

Merentiel back in the squad, could start with attacking options limited

Article image:Merentiel back in the squad, could start with attacking options limited

Boca is preparing to visit Vélez on Sunday with an important novelty in attack: Miguel Merentiel will return as a starter after missing the start of the Torneo Apertura due to injury. The Uruguayan forward has recovered from a tear suffered during the preseason and is set to return from the start in a context of several offensive absences.

Merentiel trained alongside the group during the last week and played football on two consecutive days without issues, which led the coaching staff headed by Claudio Úbeda to include him in the starting eleven. The idea is for him to gain minutes, but without completing the match, managing physical loads.


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Injuries are affecting the planning: Exequiel Zeballos is still recovering from a tear, and Ángel Romero appears as the main alternative to come on as a substitute. In this scenario, Boca needs to regain offensive presence from the start.

Meanwhile, Edinson Cavani returned to play football in the last practice and will be on the bench for the match in Liniers, as he continues to get back in shape.

The team Úbeda tested includes Agustín Marchesín; Juan Barinaga, Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa, and Lautaro Blanco; Santiago Ascacibar, Leandro Paredes, Milton Delgado, and Kevin Zenón; Miguel Merentiel and Gonzalo Gelini. Delgado prevailed over Tomás Belmonte in the midfield, while Zenón returns in place of the injured Ander Herrera.

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

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