Goalkeeper operation: Boca targets Sergio Rochet to replace Agustín Marchesín

After the elimination in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores, Boca fully engaged in planning for the second half of the year. With several fronts open ahead of the upcoming transfer market, one of the main concerns of the xeneize management revolves around the goal, especially after the serious injury suffered by their starting goalkeeper, Agustín Marchesín, who will be out of action until the end of the year.

In this context, the name that has started to gain traction in the halls of La Bombonera is Sergio Rochet. The goalkeeper from Inter de Porto Alegre and regular starter for the Uruguay National Team is emerging as one of the preferred options for the management led by Juan Román Riquelme to fill a position they consider a priority to reinforce.

At 33 years old, the goalkeeper is experiencing a moment of international consolidation. In addition to being a key player in the gaúcho team, everything indicates that he will be the goalkeeper for La Celeste during the 2026 World Cup, where he will again be one of the references for the team coached by Marcelo Bielsa.

The contractual situation of Rochet could work in Boca's favor. His contract with Inter ends on the next 31st of December, which means the Brazilian club risks losing him for free in a few months. This condition could facilitate negotiations and significantly reduce the amount of a potential transfer, although there is an automatic renewal clause that could be activated if he meets certain objectives during the season.

Beyond the sporting interest, the Xeneize will need to resolve a regulatory issue before formally pursuing the Uruguayan. Currently, the squad has filled the maximum quota of foreign players allowed to sign on the roster. Among the names occupying those spots are Edinson Cavani, Ander Herrera, Carlos Palacios, Williams Alarcón, and Ángel Romero. Additionally, Marcelo Saracchi will return from his loan in the coming weeks, which complicates the situation even further.

Meanwhile, the club from La Ribera is also working on the search for a new coach. The management has already decided that Claudio Úbeda will not continue in the position and hopes to have his successor defined by the start of preseason, scheduled for June 18 at Boca Predio. The choice of the new coach could be crucial in determining what type of goalkeeper the club will seek.

The need to add experience in the position also responds to the doubts raised by the current alternatives. Leandro Brey showed promise and had standout performances when he played, although he has still not managed to establish himself as an absolute guarantee for a large part of the fans. Javier García, on the other hand, has had very little participation in recent seasons and appears as a secondary option.

With the Copa Sudamericana, the Clausura Tournament, and the Copa Argentina as major objectives for the second half of the year, Boca believes it needs to incorporate hierarchy and leadership in goal. In this scenario, Rochet possesses several of the characteristics the management is looking for: international experience, current involvement in a leading national team, and a contractual situation that could open the door to a favorable negotiation.

Rochet's numbers at Inter de Porto Alegre and Uruguay

Since his arrival at the gaúcho club in mid-2023, the native of Nueva Palmira has played 8,595 minutes, spread over 96 matches, of which he remained unbeaten in 24, while in the others he conceded 115 goals. In terms of titles, he has won 1: Campeonato Gaúcho 2025.

In parallel, since his debut with La Celeste in early 2022, the former Nacional player has played 3,060 minutes in 35 matches, finishing with the goal unbeaten in 22 of them and conceding 17 goals in the other matches.