Boost for Boca as Miguel Merentiel starts in training before Vélez | OneFootball

Miguel Merentiel provided a timely boost for Boca, taking part in Thursday’s main drill and lining up with the starters after overcoming a muscle tear. He is now in contention to return to a side that needs his goals.

According to LaNumer12.com.ar, Claudio Úbeda led an afternoon session in Ezeiza. Planned work at La Bombonera was moved to protect the Alberto J. Armando pitch after rain in Buenos Aires.

The staff staged a full 11 v 11, with Merentiel in the XI. Úbeda also trialled a switch from the usual 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2. Exequiel Zeballos and Ander Herrera were replaced by Merentiel and Milton Delgado, and Kevin Zenón took Iker Zufiaurre’s spot.

The putative line-up had Agustín Marchesín in goal behind a back four of Juan Barinaga, Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa and Lautaro Blanco. The midfield featured Santiago Ascacíbar on the right, Leandro Paredes with Milton Delgado centrally and Kevin Zenón on the left, with Miguel Merentiel partnered by Gonzalo Gelini up front.

That XI could start away to Vélez on Sunday at 22:15 at the José Amalfitani, although Saturday’s session should offer firmer clues.

For the fourth round of the Torneo Apertura 2026, Boca have multiple injuries. Milton Giménez is still recovering from pubalgia with no return date, and Rodrigo Battaglia has undergone Achilles tendon surgery that rules him out for the semester.

Lucas Janson has a muscle tear and faces about three more weeks out. Alan Velasco’s knee strain needs roughly 45 more days, Carlos Palacios is managing knee synovitis and is aiming to be back by month’s end.

Exequiel Zeballos faces around two months out, and Ander Herrera at least two weeks.

Source: LaNumer12.com.ar