Nothing came of it for Xeneize against Banfield, and Hugo Ibarra is already weighing changes to the lineup to host Gloria. After seven rounds in the Professional League and with the Copa Libertadores on the near horizon, Ibarra’s priority isn’t simply the disappointing result, but the fragility of a squad that hasn’t yet settled into a definitive rhythm. With the big competition approaching, Boca Juniors is looking to reset its course and regain confidence through a strong home performance.
To reset the mood and regain momentum, the team returns to La Bombonera. The match will take place on Sunday at 7:15 pm as Boca welcomes Instituto for date eight of the league. Instituto has emerged as one of the season’s surprises, coming off a 1-1 draw against Atlético Tucumán and hoping to extend that momentum against a club with storied domestic pedigree.
THE CALLED OF MOUTH
Before the game against Banfield, no injuries or suspensions were officially reported. Yet the club’s concern centered on Hugo Ibarra, who left training in an ambulance on Wednesday after feeling unwell and required hospital observation. He returned the next day and was present at Boca Predio for team activities on Thursday.
On the player front, Boca managed to secure Norberto Briasco’s availability with Armenia for international duty after the recent league clash, ensuring he could travel to Europe once the match concluded.
THE FORMATION OF THE MOUTH
Among the eleven starters who lined up against Banfield, several had delivered inconsistent showings that have persisted into 2023. Notably, Advíncula, Fabra, Pol Fernández, and Sebastián Villa had struggled to hit their best form. Even Alan Varela, once a fan favorite, appeared to be falling short of expectations as the season progressed.
With that reality in mind, the first training session of the week featured a noticeable shake-up, though the final lineup on Thursday adjusted to three changes rather than five. Marcelo Weigandt came in for Advíncula, Equi Fernández replaced Varela, and Miguel Merentiel took the field in place of Villa. Fabra and Pol Fernández retained their spots to maintain continuity for the fixtures ahead.
The Beast’s presence suggested a tactical shift toward a double striker setup alongside Pipa, with Merentiel potentially operating as a winger on the left in certain situations. That means the team could be experimenting with a more aggressive front line while preserving defensive balance.
Thus, the currently outlined starting XI reads: Sergio Romero in goal; Marcelo Weigandt, Bruno Valdez, Nicolas Figal, Fran Fabra in defense; Pol Fernández, Equi Fernández, Oscar Romero in midfield; Luca Langoni, Dario Benedetto, and Michael Merentiel in attack.
ALTERNATIVE
To confirm.
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