For Independiente, Úbeda starts rotating Boca's line-up | OneFootball

After getting their Copa Libertadores campaign off to the right foot with the win over Universidad Católica and settling nicely into the Torneo Apertura standings, it seems the time for rotation has arrived at Boca. Sooner or later, because of June’s packed schedule with the run of matches in both competitions, Claudio Úbeda knows he will have to manage workloads and give some regular starters a rest, and that moment could come on Saturday against Independiente.

Although, since it is a clásico and at La Bombonera, there has to be room for some of the usual pieces to make up the starting eleven, the information following the great cup debut in Chile indicates that the coaching staff is considering tinkering with the team to avoid losing players.

Given the intensity of the match in Santiago and the fact that, after the clash with El Rojo, Boca will have to host Barcelona (SC) at Brandsen 805 next Tuesday (just three days later), internally they understand that it is not worth taking risks and that only those who are one hundred percent fit will play.

First of all, ahead of the clásico it is worth clarifying that Boca will be without its standout figure due to suspension: Leandro Paredes. The captain picked up his fifth yellow card—deliberately, to “clear” himself with River in mind—and will not be able to take the field, but at the same time Úbeda is also thinking about some tactical adjustments to ease the workload on certain players.

One of the candidates to rest, due to pubis pain, is Miguel Merentiel. The coach revealed that he took the Uruguayan off in the second half against Universidad Católica because of discomfort and, in that sense, all signs point to him not starting against Independiente. The same goes for Marcelo Weigandt, who came off with knee pain. Milton Delgado, Tomás Aranda, and Adam Bareiro, who are coming off two straight starts and a lot of minutes, are other names who could be part of the rotation.

Will Exequiel Zeballos return? Although the possible departure from the double No. 9 setup opens up spots in Boca’s attack and Changuito will be part of the squad, Úbeda’s initial idea is for him to get minutes off the bench after more than two months out with a Grade III tear in his left hamstring.

In that sense, the door opens for players such as Juan Barinaga, Ander Herrera, Alan Velasco, Milton Giménez, and Ángel Romero, among others, who are regular backup options and have a chance to get their opportunity in a high-profile match. In any case, between this Thursday and Friday, Úbeda will begin testing alternatives and will provide greater clarity regarding the lineup against El Rojo.

Agustín Marchesín shortened the recovery timeline for his muscle tear, just as he himself had expected, and is determined to return against the Avellaneda side. He already trained with the group on Wednesday in Chile and will make every effort to play. In any case, it remains to be seen how he feels in these days leading up to the match on Matchday 14 of the Torneo Apertura, since a setback could sideline him until the end of the semester. In the meantime, Leandro Brey is ready to start in goal.

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