Boca on alert over Merentiel: doubt for Barcelona SC clash | OneFootball

Boca are putting the finishing touches on their preparations to host Ecuador’s Barcelona in the second matchday of the Copa Libertadores, but on the eve of the game a major concern has emerged for the coaching staff: Miguel Merentiel’s presence is not guaranteed. The striker, an undisputed starter in the team, is dealing with pubic discomfort and will be monitored until the very last moment.

The situation is not new. Claudio Úbeda himself had revealed that the Uruguayan was substituted in the second half against Universidad Católica precisely because of that issue. Even so, he played the second half against Independiente and once again finished with discomfort, which set off alarm bells ahead of the Copa clash.

At Boca, they are being cautious. The squad will train this afternoon and then head into camp, at which point the Beast’s progress will be assessed in order to make a final decision. The idea is not to risk him if he is not at one hundred percent, taking into account the run of matches and his importance within the team, especially with River on the horizon.

If he is not fit in time, his replacement would be Milton Giménez, who is coming off scoring the penalty goal against Independiente and is emerging as the main alternative for the role to partner Adam Bareiro in attack.

Beyond that specific doubt, the rest of the team is practically decided, with most of the usual starters set to seek a win that would allow Boca to strengthen their position in the group. So what would the starting eleven be? Agustín Marchesín; Marcelo Weigandt, Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa, Lautaro Blanco; Santiago Ascacíbar, Milton Delgado, Leandro Paredes, Tomás Aranda; Miguel Merentiel or Milton Giménez, and Adam Bareiro.

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