Alan Varela He will have a chance to show Sebastián Battaglia that he can once again be the midfielder that Miguel Russo brought to the First Division and eventually fell off a cliff where he is still having a hard time getting stuck. But before Barracas Central, in Bombonera, he will bet DT to play in the center circle in a match where a win would secure their place in the League Cup playoffs. Because of?

In the 40 games he has played (21 as a starter) since he joined the team, in December 2020, Varela has always had one key trait: an accurate first pass. After being relegated due to his lack of location, little relief and recovery movement, the kid from the Inferiores went from starter with Russo to third central midfielder. To be included in Battaglia’s first starting eleven as DT, to be punished for an act of indiscipline that all the actors (captains, coaches and people from the Football Council) are in charge of the adoption: this is the last chance for him.

In April, the month full of games, Varela just started against Arsenal in a bad game in Boca. He then entered four games, averaging 25 minutes. The latter, in São Paulo against the Corinthians, in a 2-0 defeat.

He will now return to the starting lineup to relegate Campuzano to the substitute bench but also to return to running for William Pol Fernandez of the sector. The reason: Battaglia observed that Boca had a hard time recovering the ball without five of those qualities and by canceling Pol, rivals led Boca to have problems in the beginning.

So this time he will return to the middle of the court but to the right. And the five, on the team of a historic five like Battaglia, will be Varela again. Perhaps a test that could lead him as a starter to play that “final” in Bolivia against Always Ready in the Copa Libertadores.

But there will be Barracas Central first, improved since the arrival of Alfredo Bertiwho will seek to plant himself in Bombonera with his weapons. And Boca, instead, will aim to win their first game at Brandsen 805 for the domestic tournament. Also as a way to grow self -esteem, in addition to football.

In addition to Varela, the return of Carlos Izquierdoz (his first game after a month and a half loss due to surgery on his right foot) at central defense will be another new thing for Battaglia and the company, who will once again have Javier Garcia in the arch and an attack consisting of Villa and Benedetto.

Boca’s eleven: Javier García; Advincula, Zambrano, Izquierdoz, Fabra; Guillermo Fernandez, Varela, Juan Ramirez; Oscar Romero; Sebastian Villa and Dario Benedetto.