There was no holiday for Boca. And despite the fact that the weekend found the country without football as a result of the National Elections, the squad did not stop training ahead of this Wednesday's match against Estudiantes. In that sense, Mariano Herrón found good news in Monday's practice: Valentín Barco is recovered from the muscular discomfort that hindered his work in recent days and will be a starter in the semifinal of the Copa Argentina.
The full-back underwent tests in a clinic and the ultrasound brought peace of mind to the coaching staff. The left adductor, the affected area that had prevented him from finishing Sunday's practice, is healthy. Diagnostic imaging revealed neither a tear nor a strain. Barco's problem was just a contracture that comes from the game against Newell's. He was then replaced by Nicolas Valentini 26 minutes into the second half.
With Barco fit, Herrón would make two changes from the team that beat the Rosario team at the Bombonera. Marcos Rojo, who had not been able to play in the Libertadores final with Fluminense due to suspension and was kept in the last match due to discomfort, will come in for Aaron Anselmino. With Cavani ruled out, Lucas Janson and Dario Benedetto are fighting for a place.
Barco left due to discomfort in the match with Newell's. Photo: Fernando de la Orden
The captain's return was a foregone conclusion, after all, he is a starter. In the case of the Uruguayan, his departure is due to the injury he suffered that same afternoon against Newell's. He had to leave the court in the second half with a tear in his left thigh. For this reason, he was disaffected from the Uruguay National Team led by Marcelo Bielsa. Cavani was replaced by Dario Benedetto. Later, Janson came on for Ezequiel Bullaude. Does that mean Pipa is out of the question? At least from the last practice, it's possible to say that he's running behind. But it's a doubt that the coach still has.
Luis Advíncula will also be in the starting line-up. The Peruvian full-back was cautioned in the match that his National Team lost 2-0 to Bolivia in La Paz, he was suspended and logically, released. He will miss Tuesday's match with Venezuela, but will be available to play against Estudiantes. For Boca it was a relief, as he is one of the players with the highest level in recent times.
Another player who returned to training was Pol Fernandez, who did not work with his teammates in the last three days. He will be a starter. On the other hand, Frank Fabra is out of the race. The Colombian suffered a right knee strain in early November and is working on his rehabilitation. As in the case of Cavani, he was also unable to represent his national team in the Qualifiers.
Herrón's probable team for the cup clash in Córdoba would be: Sergio Romero; Luis Advíncula, Nicolás Figal, Marcos Rojo, Marcelo Saracchi; Cristian Medina, Equi Fernández, Pol Fernández, Valentín Barco; Miguel Merentiel and Lucas Janson or Benedetto.
