Úbeda and Coudet prepare for the Superclásico in cotton wool | OneFootball

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·16 April 2026

Úbeda and Coudet prepare for the Superclásico in cotton wool

Article image:Úbeda and Coudet prepare for the Superclásico in cotton wool

Next Sunday’s Superclásico at the Monumental Stadium arrives amid intense activity in both clubs’ medical departments. While Boca Juniors laments the recent loss of its starting goalkeeper, River Plate is dealing with a lengthy injury list and uncertainty over the knocks picked up in its latest international match.

Boca: Brey’s debut and already known absences

“Sifón” Claudio Úbeda will have almost his full “first-choice eleven” available, with one critical exception between the posts. Agustín Marchesín has been ruled out after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, opening the door for youngster Leandro Brey to make his Superclásico debut.

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He is joined by three names who were already out of contention:

  • Rodrigo Battaglia: He continues rehabilitating from the Achilles tendon rupture suffered in preseason. He is expected back in June.
  • Carlos Palacios: He underwent surgery for synovitis in March; his place has been successfully filled by youth player Tomás Aranda.
  • Edinson Cavani: He is still recovering from a herniated disc. Given Adam Bareiro’s excellent form, his absence does not seem to worry the Xeneize camp as much.

River: Uncertainty over Juanfer and Vera after the Copa Sudamericana

Eduardo Coudet faces a more complicated situation. In addition to the three absences already confirmed, two new doubts have kept Núñez on edge after the clash against Carabobo. Juan Fernando Quintero (pain in the left rectus femoris) and Fausto Vera (knee discomfort) will undergo tests this Thursday to determine whether they can play on Sunday.

The confirmed absences for the Millonario are:

  • Franco Armani: The captain has been unable to recover from inflammation in his Achilles tendon, on top of a previous muscle tear. They are targeting his return for late April.
  • Maximiliano Meza: In the final stage of recovery from patellar tendon surgery. He would return in May.
  • Juan Carlos Portillo: A long-term absentee due to a ligament injury suffered at the start of the year.
  • Note: Giuliano Galoppo has already been medically cleared after an ankle sprain, but his lack of match fitness keeps him doubtful for the squad.

Boca comes in boosted by its recent Libertadores thrashing, while River will have to recover from the physical wear and the murmurs after its latest continental outing as it prepares to host its eternal rival.

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

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