In record time: Marchesín back in goal for Boca v Independiente | OneFootball

Excellent news for Boca ahead of its next local tournament match: goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín has put his serious injury behind him in an unthinkably short time and is shaping up to return between the posts this Saturday at La Bombonera, when the Xeneize host Independiente in the 2026 Apertura Tournament.

The recovery of the 38-year-old goalkeeper has surprised more than a few people. He managed to recover in record time: it will take him just 20 days to play again after suffering a grade 3 muscle injury in his right adductor. His progress was so positive that head coach Claudio Úbeda already tested him alongside the group after returning from Chile and decided that he will be the starting goalkeeper against the Avellaneda side.

Agustín Marchesín’s return comes at just the right time, as it happens amid forced and strategic squad rotation. After the recent win in Santiago against Universidad Católica in Boca’s Copa Libertadores debut, Úbeda has decided to make changes to protect his players physically.

Agustín Marchesín will be back in goal for the Xeneize. Photo: Javier Martino/Prensa CABJ.

Several players finished banged up due to the packed schedule, so figures such as Miguel Merentiel (pubic pain) and Adam Bareiro (fatigue) would be rested this weekend. On top of that, Leandro Paredes will be unavailable after picking up his fifth yellow card and must serve a one-match suspension.

For this game, the coach would field a side similar to the one that played against Talleres in Córdoba. In front of Marchesín, the back line could be made up of Juan Barinaga, Nicolás Figal, Marco Pellegrino and Malcom Braida. In addition to the goalkeeper’s return, Boca are also celebrating the comeback of Exequiel Zeballos, who has recovered from his discomfort and could get some minutes.

The goalkeeper’s numbers

Since arriving at the club at the start of 2025, the goalkeeper made the position his own and never let it go: the only times he did not play were because of injury or to give Leandro Brey some playing time in the Copa Argentina. “Marche” has already made 51 official appearances wearing the blue and gold, keeping a clean sheet on 23 occasions.

With Agustín Marchesín starting: what you need to know about the clásico

The crucial clash between Boca and Independiente, corresponding to Matchday 14 of the 2026 Apertura Tournament, will be played this Saturday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. at La Bombonera. The Liga Profesional confirmed that Andrés Merlos will referee the match, assisted by Sebastián Raineri and Diego Bonfa. Lucas Novelli will be in charge of VAR. For those watching from home, the match will be broadcast on TNT Sports Premium (Pack Fútbol).

The Xeneize will look to end a winless run against the Rojo. Photos: Getty/CAI.

With one of their pillars back between the posts and boosted by the Libertadores win, Boca will look to make home advantage count and end a long winless streak against Avellaneda’s Rojo at the Alberto J. Armando stadium, where they have not beaten them since 2017.

Keep reading:

With a stunning Olimpico goal: Boca’s reserves beat Platense

Boca already know their opponent for the Copa Argentina round of 32

Boca get players back: Marchesín and Zeballos rejoined the group

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