Boca Juniors prepared this Wednesday at the Ezeiza training ground with their sights set on the match on Sunday against Racing, for the quarter-finals of the Copa Argentina. The match will take place in Rosario, and the coaching staff led by Rodolfo Arruabarrena received two encouraging pieces of news that strengthen the squad ahead of this tie.
The first concerns the young player Leonel Flores. The forward was one of the surprises in Lionel Scaloni's call-up for the friendly matches of the Argentine National Team against Bolivia, Burkina Faso, and Benin. This last commitment will also mark the end of Lionel Messi's time with the Albiceleste.
Flores will train until Thursday at the AFA training ground and will join the Xeneize's training on Friday. The squad will travel to Rosario on Saturday, so the young attacker will arrive in time to be available for the Vasco.
Thus, the only confirmed absence for the clash with the Academy will be goalkeeper Álvaro Montero. The Colombian was called up by Néstor Lorenzo and will not be able to participate. His place will be taken by Leandro Brey, who has already been a regular option in goal.
The probable eleven and the recovery of Ayrton Costa
The rest of the team is expected to be the same that convincingly defeated San Lorenzo. In defense, Leandro Lozano, Lautaro Di Lollo, Facundo Herrera, and Lautaro Blanco would feature. In midfield, Leandro Paredes, Milton Delgado, and Santiago Ascacíbar are expected, while up front, Alan Velasco, Leonel Flores, and Miguel Merentiel would complete the lineup.
The second piece of good news came from the medical department. Ayrton Costa, who had missed the last seven matches, is now recovered. The defender had suffered a hamstring injury precisely against Racing in the Clausura Tournament and was also dealing with a pubalgia that complicated his return.
Jagger Herrera's good performance as a replacement will place him in direct competition with Marco Pellegrino, the other left-footed central defender in the squad, who came on in the second half of the victory against the Ciclón. Arruabarrena may also consider Costa as an option for the left-back position, a role he has played at Independiente and during his time at Platense.
Rodrigo Battaglia, for his part, is very close to receiving medical clearance this week. He has been participating in a good portion of the training sessions with the group for several days and has already accumulated some minutes of football. However, he is not expected to be considered for the match against Racing.
Rotations and planning for October
If the coaching staff sees him fit, the midfielder could reappear on October 4 against Unión at La Bombonera or, alternatively, the following date against Instituto in Alta Córdoba. His return would add options in a sector of the field that has been key for the Vasco's scheme.
Arruabarrena continues to add available pieces in a stretch of the season where Boca is competing on three fronts. The need to rotate the squad to manage physical loads has become a priority, especially after the injury problems that have affected the team in recent months.
With Flores available and Costa back, the coach gains depth and tactical alternatives to face a direct rival like Racing. The match for the Copa Argentina presents itself as a demanding test, and these additions allow the Xeneize to approach it with greater maneuverability in the starting eleven and on the bench.
This week's work in Ezeiza will focus on fine-tuning details and integrating those returning from the national team or recovery. The squad will travel on Saturday with the intention of arriving as complete as possible in Rosario and fighting for a place in the semifinals.
