Boca Juniors' countdown, one week before the Club World Cup: Miguel Ángel Russo has already outlined his starting XI for the debut against Benfica, without reinforcements.
While packing their bags for tonight's trip, Boca Juniors ' players are finishing adapting to Miguel Angel Russo 's "ways and means." And when it comes to the coach's catchphrases, "they are key moments" for working with the team's debut on June 16 against Benfica in Miami . Therefore, this Saturday, the veteran strategist led a practice that left one certainty and one question. The first has to do with the formation: he will play in a 4-3-3 formation . The second is a worrying question: will he be able to travel with at least one reinforcement? Juan Román Riquelme hoped to secure the transfers of Marco Pellegrino and Malcom Braida this weekend.
Although his previous stint with the team featured a 4-2-3-1 formation, the same formation he used at San Lorenzo, Russo believes he has the potential to build a team with a strong balance on the wings. This Saturday, he was without Luis Advíncula and Lucas Blondel , who were out for the Peruvian and Swiss national teams, but one of the two will start against the Portuguese. Today, the former Tigre player has the wind in his sails. In the starting defense he deployed at the morning training session, Santiago Dalmasso moved to the right flank. On the left, Lautaro Blanco appears immovable. Marcelo Saracchi runs from behind.
Playing with wingers will give him greater depth. That's what the coach is looking for. In this context, Kevin Zenón appears on the right and Brian Aguirre on the left. Both will play, at least at the start of this season, with a different profile. Russo wants them to hurt inside.
With Edinson Cavani still recovering, the available number nines are Milton Giménez and Miguel Merentiel . The Uruguayan is highly regarded by Miguel. His compatriot is not yet fully fit. His last match was on April 19 against Estudiantes (a 2-0 win at La Bombonera).
Milton Delgado, the 19-year-old who earned a place at Boca Juniors, could move into midfield.
The midfield seems clear. Russo wants volume . The starting number 5 would be Ander Herrera . Unlike Fernando Gago, the Spaniard would play as a central midfielder rather than an inside midfielder. Milton Delgado would be on his right, and Carlos Palacios on his left, but with the freedom to move freely and build the play. Another possibility is that Tomás Belmonte could join the central midfield to provide greater dynamic and recovery.
Yesterday, Russo stopped two teams during practice at the Ezeiza Training Center. Agustín Marchesín; Santiago Dalmasso, Rodrigo Battaglia, Marcos Rojo, Lautaro Blanco; Milton Delgado, Ander Herrera, Carlos Palacios; Lucas Janson, Milton Giménez, and Exequiel Zeballos played on the first team. Leandro Brey; Kevin Giménez; Lautaro Di Lollo; Ayrton Costa; Frank Fabra; Tomás Belmonte; Williams Alarcón; Alan Velasco; Kevin Zenón; Miguel Merentiel; and Brian Aguirre played on the second team.
Alan Velasco, the Boca player to be brought back under the Russo administration, is currently running behind.
Of these two teams, it's clear that Marchesín; the absentees Blondel or Advíncula, Battaglia, Rojo, Blanco; Delgado or Belmonte, Herrera, Palacios; Zenón, Merentiel, and Aguirre are the first players with the greatest chance of playing on North American soil. After that, of course, we'll have to analyze future additions, who are conspicuous by their absence for now.
Just when it seemed like Pellegrino would be the first signing, there were minor disagreements with Milan . The 22-year-old center back, who wore Huracán's jersey last season, is waiting for the Italian club's approval to undergo a medical. Boca Juniors would pay $4 million for the signing , and the Italians would keep a capital gain.
As for Braida , San Lorenzo is standing firm. The player promised the club's directors that he wouldn't use his release clause, valued at $1,200,000 , but Román is pressing. Boca Juniors offered $1,700,000, a far cry from the $3 million the Boedo club is seeking. They could settle the difference at $2,200,000, but for now, there's no agreement.
On the other hand, Cristian Lema and Esteban Rolón will not be part of the delegation, as they will not be considered by Russo. Neither will Ayrton Costa , who was unable to obtain a visa due to a legal issue. If his situation is resolved, he will join later and on another flight.
Clarin
