Úbeda already has Cruzeiro in mind and must reshuffle Boca's line-up | OneFootball

Quietly, and with the need to change the team’s image after the premature elimination against Huracán at La Bombonera, Boca began the week already focused on next Tuesday’s crucial clash against Cruzeiro. With a dejected look but aware that there is no time for regrets because the semester is on the line in a week, the squad got to work and Claudio Úbeda has already started planning the group’s penultimate Copa Libertadores match, which will bring complications when it comes to selecting the team.

Amid this negative spiral that Xeneize has fallen into — two international defeats and an unexpected goodbye in the Apertura — the positive side they will try to take advantage of internally is the time available. On one hand, to prepare for the meeting with the Brazilians in the best possible way. And then, to recover some troops, as could be the case with Edinson Cavani’s return to the squad after several long weeks.

In addition to how decisive it will be for Boca, since it needs a good result so its qualification does not remain in jeopardy (it is third) and thus arrive with real chances against Universidad Católica, the other limiting factor for Úbeda will be the absence of two starters: Santiago Ascacíbar and Adam Bareiro.

The midfielder must serve the suspension for his sending-off against Barcelona (it could be two matches, pending the ruling), while the forward suffered a strain in the adductor and abdomen against Huracán that will not allow him to arrive in proper physical condition. Who will replace them?

The number one candidate to complete the midfield trio alongside Leandro Paredes and Milton Delgado is Ander Herrera, who still has not played any minutes since his injury but was already on the bench over the weekend and would be fit to play. If he is well, he will start; otherwise, Tomás Belmonte is gaining ground as an alternative.

In attack, based on recent precedent, Milton Giménez is shaping up as Bareiro’s natural replacement. The former Banfield player came on when Bareiro suffered his strain against Globo, while he had already started in Guayaquil when the Paraguayan was suspended. Exequiel Zeballos is another option, but he carries less weight because Boca would lose its reference No. 9. Edinson Cavani is aiming to be available as a substitute on the bench, since he has not played for several weeks and it is unrealistic to think of him as a starter given his lack of match fitness.

Will there be more changes? Úbeda is also considering making some tactical adjustment, in addition to the two forced changes. Marcelo Weigandt continues to underperform and cast doubt on his place after another weak display. The coach took him off at halftime for Malcom Braida, who is gaining consideration to be the starting right back vs. Cruzeiro. It will be one of the key issues the coaching staff will define over the course of the week.

Boca’s probable starting eleven against Cruzeiro

Leandro Brey; Marcelo Weigandt, Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa, Lautaro Blanco; Ander Herrera, Leandro Paredes, Milton Delgado, Tomás Aranda; Miguel Merentiel and Milton Giménez.

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