Battaglia identified eleven for the final. (Photo: Marcelo Carroll).
Approaching the definition of the semester and after suffering throughout the first half of the year with central markers (he used 6 of the squad in less than 20 games) between injuries and suspensions, Sebastián Battaglia is in all his pieces in his defense. For Boca’s final against Tigre on Sunday but also for the latest against Deportivo Cali, for a place in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. Who will play?
Against the Corinthians, at Bombonera, he started again Carlos Izquierdoz, has already recovered from his injury that drove him to court for a month and a half. However, his partner is Peruvian Carlos Zambranowho recognized that he missed his moment of confidence after having a continuation.
The footballer for National Team Ricardo Gareca played ten games in 2022 –there were nine as a starter- and he also left with a muscle injury. Izquierdoz, meanwhile, is only available in nine games in the semester. And his entry against Racing in the League Cup semifinals was, in addition to avoiding the dismissal of reprimanded central defenders, kicking off penalties.
Zambrano began against the Corinthians. (Photo: Fernando de la Orden)
The team captain, it is known, would not be in the debate if it were not for his lack of shooting in the minutes of the last half. But his personality is what Battaglia always thinks about, in addition to being capable of either of the two back positions.
Marcos Rojo has played 14 games so far this year. And he didn’t do it on more occasions because he had five Conmebol suspension dates as a result of incidents against Atlético Mineiro in the 2021 edition of Libertadores. That is why he is ready to play, on the last day, against Deportivo Cali. In the local tournament, he always supports the defenders who mutate: the young Gabriel Aranda, Gastón Ávila and Nicolás Figal. They all played with Rojo, better physically than when he came to the club.
And now who will play? In dealing with Tigre, DT is tempted to continue with Zambrano and Rojo, as they did in the last half. Because he also knows that friction and decisive matches have a different emotional component. There is also VAR in the sense, something that does not exist in Libertadores.
Protagonists and authorities of the AFA and Córdoba in the presentation of the Professional League Cup final. Photo of LPF
Does this open the door for Izquierdoz to play against Deportivo Cali? And if against the Colombians he will put together a line of three central defenders to free the full-backs? All alternatives the coach will think of, not just on Sunday but in the game on Thursday.
Once the middle pair has been identified, the coach will finish polishing the midfield and the attack. Will there be the same doubt as in the previous match against Karera: will Juan Ramírez play to add someone to the middle of the field or will Eduardo Salvio come in to give him more of an attack?
With the certainty that Sebastián Villa doesn’t have the Cup definition – he still owes a suspension date, beyond his judicial situation – he probably doesn’t want to wear Toto Salvio too much. The technical director is constantly working on it, knowing it’s the two resolution game of the semester. And no one will be saved.
Source: Clarin
