No place in the first team, Blondel set to return to Boca’s reserves | OneFootball

Without explanations, Lucas Blondel was never considered by Miguel Ángel Russo's coaching staff. Since the coach's arrival at Boca, the former Tigre player not only hasn't played a single minute, but he was never among those called up: he was only a substitute in the Club World Cup. Given this scenario, two weeks ago he played in the Reserve team at his own request, and tonight he will do the same against Belgrano.

The overpopulation in the position masked his absence, and today Juan Barinaga seems to be settled among the starters. However, the persistent absence of the 29-year-old right-back is striking, as he had been a regular during Fernando Gago's tenure and finished the Apertura as a starter in the two knockout matches against Lanús and Independiente.

In any case, the player's idea is to try to gain minutes, as he hasn't played in the First Division since May 19, almost five months ago. Part of the squad that trains every day under Claudio Úbeda's orders, Blondel already knows that every time the call-up list is announced, he will be left out.

Against Newell’s, he played the full 90 minutes in the Reserve's 2-0 victory, with goals from Santiago Dalmasso and Tomás Aranda. He didn't participate against Barracas last week, but tonight, starting at 7 PM, he will be a starter again in Mariano Herrón's team.

With consistent performance, although without great displays, Barinaga has been Russo's number 4 since he decided to give him a chance instead of Luis Advíncula. The Peruvian has lost ground, and some speculate that his time at Boca is nearing its end. Of course, the future scenario could change, because as a counterpoint to his departure and the potential exit of Lucas Blondel, there's the emergence of Dylan Gorosito, a standout figure for the Argentine National Team in the Under-20 World Cup.

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