Cavani nears full fitness and could return for Boca v Cruzeiro | OneFootball

At the decisive stage of the semester, Boca lost Adam Bareiro, who had quickly become one of the key pieces in the team’s attack. That’s why the news of Edinson Cavani’s return to training takes on even greater significance: the 39-year-old Uruguayan is beginning a crucial week to see whether he can make it into the team (or at least the squad) for next Tuesday’s match against Cruzeiro.

El Matador went through a long recovery process and underwent various treatments to overcome the herniated disc that had prevented him from training normally since late 2025. So far this year, he has played only two matches in the xeneize shirt, and he has not even been included in a squad since February 20. The current need is all about the Copa Libertadores, and that is why the possibility of having a player of his caliber is so appealing to Claudio Úbeda.

However, the only certainty within the coaching staff—and even for the player himself—is that they will not rush his return. The injury could flare up again and undo months of work. That is why the key will be his progress this week ahead of the clash with the Belo Horizonte side. If he trains normally and takes part in one or both football sessions, Cavani will be included in the squad. In the starting lineup? That will depend on how Sifón sees him.

In a similar situation, though with a different injury and a different level of urgency, is Carlos Palacios. The Chilean also rejoined the rest of his teammates at Boca Predio and is aiming for his first call-up in 2026. After making 36 appearances in his first year at the club (34 as a starter), the former Colo-Colo player has now been out for more than five months, and his return would come in a completely different context.

Since his injury, there has been a new development in the squad that completely changed the footballing landscape: the emergence of Tomás Aranda. The youngster came in to fill an open spot, and his play gave Úbeda’s starting XI a significant boost in quality. That was precisely the role Palacios used to occupy, and now he also has a recovered Alan Velasco as an alternative. So, while his return would add greater depth to the position, it is not a priority.

The truth is that Bareiro’s absence leaves a hard-to-fill gap. The first option, and the most logical one, is Milton Giménez. The former Banfield player was the one who stepped in alongside Miguel Merentiel in the Paraguayan’s absence, but beyond his strong connection with goal (he has 4 in his last 6 matches), his contribution to the overall play—and even around the opposition box—is not what the team needs.

Still inconsistent since his return, Exequiel Zeballos is nevertheless pushing for a place, although that change would mean a complete reshaping and would also require moving La Bestia into the out-and-out center-forward role, where he is not as comfortable. That is where, a little further back, the possibility—and the need—for Cavani to break into the team comes in. If he has a good week of training, his presence against Cruzeiro cannot be ruled out.

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