The head coach analyzed the challenge against Benfica, urged caution with Cavani, backed Ayrton Costa, and clarified his departure from San Lorenzo ahead of his third spell in charge of the club
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The coach of Boca, Miguel Ángel Russo, previewed what will be his team's debut in the Club World Cup, which will be played in the United States and will mark the beginning of his third spell in charge of the club. The debut against Benfica comes at a complicated moment for the Xeneize side, which is immersed in a sporting crisis.
"We are at a stage in which I haven't defined the team or the starting eleven. We seek to make the training sessions as intense as possible until Friday. We hope to arrive in the best possible way on Monday," the coach stated.
Russo no tiene definido el XI
He added about the debut against Benfica: "It is an important team at both the European and local level, we must be prepared and alert to play on equal terms at all times." "We got Benfica and Bayern Munich in the first two matches, and that's great. We must live up to what Boca represents," he emphasized.
The coach also referred to two specific cases in the squad: Edinson Cavani and Ayrton Costa. Regarding the Uruguayan forward, he said he prefers "to wait for him one more day rather than twenty fewer. We must take it slowly," and added: "This is the approach and the way, it is about taking it step by step. We must talk much more about the mental aspect than the physical one due to the injuries, he will overcome it."
Regarding the defender, he stated: "We are waiting for him. We have registered him, and I believe it will be solved. He is an important player." It should be noted that Costa, formerly of Independiente, still doesn't have his visa approved due to legal issues.
La situación de Costa aún no se resolvió
Boca's transfer market
The Xeneize have already added their first two signings: Marco Pellegrino and Malcom Braida. Both defenders will join the squad in the United States to compete in the tournament, although Russo was cautious.
Boca incorporó a Pellegrino y Braida
"When Braida and Pellegrino arrive, we'll see how they are. I'm not in a hurry, but I am very calm. I know both of them," he commented.
He was also asked about Leandro Paredes, one of the names the club is currently negotiating for: "I experience it with great calm and tranquility, I say absolutely nothing because Román (Riquelme)and the directors are in charge of that."
Paredes mantiene en vilo a mundo Boca
His controversial departure from San Lorenzo
"Many believe that I spoke with Román before the semifinal with San Lorenzo and that's not the case. I had made the decision to leave a long time ago," Russo said, in relation to his previous spell at the Boedo club.
Russo tenía la decisión tomada
He concluded: "All my life I have talked about soccer with Román. There are many people with whom I have soccer conversations. I have a close relationship with many and I don't say it. I respect all the directors, but those who were footballers have a different way of managing things. No one is better than anyone else."
