With Merentiel back, Boca’s likely line-up to face Vélez | OneFootball

Sunday is approaching, and amid a streak of injuries that gives no respite, Claudio Úbeda is trying to piece together the puzzle that Boca's lineup has become. To the headaches caused by the absences of Ander Herrera and Exequiel Zeballos, two regular starters, now comes some good news: Miguel Merentiel has been medically cleared and will start in the visit to Vélez.

The Beast defied all odds with his record recovery from a calf tear, played football in Wednesday's double session (which left many consequences), and despite not being in ideal shape, the circumstances — given the flood of absences in the offensive sector — quickly return him to the starting eleven.

He will be an immediate solution in the context of a depleted Boca, especially without Zeballos. Without a natural number 9 in the last two matches, Merentiel's return, an undisputed starter in that position and one of the team's key players, represents significant relief for the coach, who must now decide who will accompany him in attack.

Gonzalo Gelini, who had a good debut at La Bombonera against Newell's after gaining minutes against Estudiantes, is likely to remain as the right winger. The main question is about the opposite wing: Kevin Zenón has a chance to enter, although there is also the possibility that Iker Zufiaurre will continue in the xeneize eleven, this time in his natural position and not as an improvised center forward.

Merentiel will replace Zeballos, and the other forced change will be Herrera's exit, also injured. Here arises the second doubt in the lineup to face Vélez: the fight for the third midfielder to accompany Leandro Paredes and Santiago Ascacíbar. If Úbeda maintains the 4-3-3, the replacement will be decided between Milton Delgado and Tomás Belmonte. The youngster offers a more positional profile, while the former Lanús player would provide a presence in the area, freeing the world champion to manage the timing from the center.

Cavani, on the other hand, is dealing with a back injury that has prevented him from fully preparing and has not been part of any Boca matches this year. He practiced normally on both Tuesday and Wednesday, and if things continue this way, he will be on the bench against Vélez.

In the next formal football training session (Thursday's at La Bombonera was canceled due to heavy rain), when the coaching staff conducts the final tactical rehearsal, Boca's new eleven will be outlined to seek the third victory in the Apertura and firmly join the top positions (currently sixth, in the qualifying zone). At this time, two or three changes are expected.

The probable Boca lineup to play against Vélez Agustín Marchesín; Juan Barinaga, Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa, Lautaro Blanco; Santiago Ascacíbar, Leandro Paredes, Milton Delgado or Tomás Belmonte; Gonzalo Gelini, Miguel Merentiel, and Kevin Zenón or Iker Zufiaurre. Coach: Claudio Úbeda.

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