Boca Vs Gimnasia Y Esgirma: Úbeda finalizes XI with key absences
In the run-up to the match, boca vs gimnasia y esgirma is dominated by late injury news that reshapes Boca's starting eleven: Edinson Cavani and Ángel Romero will not be part of the matchday squad, while Adam Bareiro and Miguel Merentiel are set to lead the attack. The selection decisions matter as Boca arrive at La Bombonera amid a three-game league winless run and a need to reclaim a place among the qualifying positions.
Boca Vs Gimnasia Y Esgirma: team news
Late in the week Boca's plans were altered by two fitness setbacks. Edinson Cavani suffered a relapse of lumbalgia and will not be in the squad; coverage notes he is set to consult a specialist for the issue. Ángel Romero also missed the call-up after continuing adductor discomfort that required medical tests during the week. Those absences push Miguel Merentiel into a likely starting role and clear the way for Adam Bareiro to continue after his two-goal debut in the Copa Argentina.
Defensive adjustments stem from a different injury: Juan Barinaga is out, which points toward a back four of Marcelo Weigandt, Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa and Lautaro Blanco. Agustín Marchesin is expected to return in goal. The midfield picture is less settled in public coverage: some updates suggest Leandro Paredes could start after recovering from an ankle sprain, while other previews indicate he may begin on the bench. That uncertainty will be resolved in the final training session before kickoff.
Six changes from Copa Argentina
Úbeda's lineup for the domestic fixture involves a clear rotation from the team that played in Salta. The set of changes totals six when compared with the Copa Argentina side: Agustín Marchesin replaces Leandro Brey in goal; Lautaro Di Lollo and Ayrton Costa come back into central defence in place of Nicolás Figal and Marco Pellegrino; Lautaro Blanco returns at fullback; Santiago Ascacíbar replaces Tomás Belmonte in midfield; and Miguel Merentiel takes the spot vacated by the injured Ángel Romero. With Adam Bareiro retained after his cup double and Lucas Janson rewarded for a strong showing, Boca moves to a more offensive shape.
One projected starting eleven circulated in recent coverage lists: Agustín Marchesin; Marcelo Weigandt, Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa, Lautaro Blanco; Santiago Ascacíbar, Milton Delgado, Williams Alarcón; Miguel Merentiel, Adam Bareiro and Lucas Janson. Final confirmation was expected after the last training session.
- Key takeaways: Cavani and Romero unavailable; Bareiro leads the attack; formation shows six changes from the cup side.
What to watch and short-term implications
Boca arrive at La Bombonera seeking three points to stop a slide of three league matches without a win and to reassert themselves in the fight for qualification spots. The team’s immediate schedule also includes a midweek pending fixture that could affect table position, so a positive result here would ease short-term pressure. If Boca secures victory at home, the observable indicator is clear: they would move closer to the top-eight places and enter the upcoming midweek match with momentum. Conversely, another dropped result would deepen the urgency around selection and fitness management.
On the playing side, the duel between the provisional attacking trio—Bareiro, Merentiel and Janson—and Gimnasia’s defence will be decisive for Boca’s ability to regain offensive identity after recent league draws and a loss. The final team sheet and any late fitness confirmations were to be settled at the last practice.
