Lautaro Di Lollo, another blow for Boca v Racing: Arruabarrena's XI | OneFootball

Boca picked up a new problem ahead of Sunday’s clásico against Racing. Lautaro Di Lollo suffered inflammation in the pubic area and, barring an unexpected recovery, will not be available for Rodolfo Arruabarrena in Avellaneda. In fact, the 21-year-old center back may not even be included in the squad list.

The absence forces the Vasco to once again change his defensive plans. Di Lollo had been one of the key alternatives in a back line where the coach has rotated names during the early part of his second spell. However, the issue will keep him out of a very demanding match.

Figal and Costa, Boca’s center-back pairing once again

With this situation, everything suggests that Arruabarrena will once again rely on Nicolás Figal and Ayrton Costa as his center-back duo. Both started on Tuesday in Paraguay, in the 4-0 win over Recoleta that secured Boca’s place in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals, and now they appear to have a strong chance of keeping their spots against La Academia.

For Figal, it also represents a new opportunity to keep adding minutes and continuity, while Costa remains one of the coach’s most solid options for the position.

In addition to Di Lollo, the other player who will not be in the squad list is Malcom Braida. Why? The left back suffered a heavy blow and therefore will not be available this Sunday for the clásico against Racing.

The Vasco’s fifth absence

Di Lollo’s problem adds to an injury list that already included three other important names. Leandro Paredes, Leandro Lozano and Marco Pellegrino were also unavailable for the second leg against Recoleta and, for now, will remain out against Racing.

Paredes is still dealing with the muscle injury he suffered against Platense, and his absence forces the Vasco to especially reshape the midfield. Pellegrino, meanwhile, will also be unable to become an alternative to cover for Di Lollo’s absence, while Lozano will continue to leave a vacancy at right back.

So, Arruabarrena will head into the clásico with four absences and will once again have to make changes to a team that is coming off an emphatic qualification in Paraguay.

At least the defense seems settled: without Di Lollo and Pellegrino, Figal and Costa are once again shaping up to occupy the center of the back line. A pairing that delivered against Recoleta and that will now face a very different test: Racing, in Avellaneda, in a clásico that Boca will look to win in order to keep growing in the Clausura as well.

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