Cavani gets back up to speed, could return for Boca v Cruzeiro | OneFootball

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

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

However, the only certainty for 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 team from Belo Horizonte. If he trains normally and takes part in one or more football sessions, Cavani will be among 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 of 2026. After playing 36 matches in his first year at the club (34 as a starter), the former Colo-Colo player has been out for more than five months, and his return would come in a completely different context.

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

The truth is that Bareiro’s absence leaves a gap that is hard to fill. The first option, the most logical one, is Milton Giménez. The former Banfield player was the one who partnered Miguel Merentiel in the Paraguayan’s absence, but beyond his strong relationship with scoring (he has 4 goals in his last 6 matches), his contribution to the team’s 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 would mean a complete tactical shift and would also require moving La Bestia into the exclusive center-forward role, where he is not quite as comfortable. That is where the possibility—and the need—for Cavani to break into the team comes into play. 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.