Úbeda awaits Merentiel, considers keeping Gelini as Boca starter | OneFootball

Boca begins a new week of training this afternoon after a day off following the good victory against Newell's. Claudio Úbeda will be attentive to the progress of Miguel Merentiel and Edinson Cavani and will also look to fine-tune the performance of a starting 11 with Santiago Ascacíbar and, very likely, the presence of the young Gonzalo Gelini once again.

The need to recover one of the center forwards is urgent. Although it was challenging, Íker Zufiaurre was the one who occupied that position in the last two matches, instead of Lucas Janson, who was the starter and got injured in the debut of the Torneo Apertura. The youngster, naturally a winger, struggled in a position that is not his own and was substituted at halftime against Newell’s. Ángel Romero, his replacement, provided immediate solutions but is still out of shape.

Therefore, it will be important for both Uruguayans to train normally as soon as possible, considering the challenging visit to Liniers this weekend. Merentiel is the one most likely to play: he would be just in time with 21 days of recovery after the tear he suffered in the friendly against Olimpia on January 18.

Cavani, on the other hand, will seek to be present in the football practice after gradually increasing his workload, and although his return is getting closer, it is unlikely he will start against Fortín. The idea is to take the necessary precautions so that the lower back pain that has been bothering him since the end of 2025 (he received a block in the area) does not worsen and allows him to be available for what’s coming.

Meanwhile, after Alan Velasco's injury, Úbeda tested alternatives to fill the left-wing position. The natural replacement, Kevin Zenón, has had good performances, but always as a substitute. The coach's idea is to keep Gonzalo Gelini in the position, who performed acceptably in the victory over Newell’s last Sunday.

A 19-year-old left winger, he was one of the key players for the Reserve team led by Mariano Herrón at the end of 2025. This year, he debuted in the First Division against Estudiantes, providing an assist for Exequiel Zeballos and leaving a good impression. Against Lepra, he had his first start, and Sifón himself praised him in a press conference. "Gelini did well, he is a boy with physical strength, commitment, he took on the responsibility of playing in Boca's First Division and did well, which makes us happy," he expressed in a press conference.

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