Boca Juniors will face Universidad Católica with several important changes in Claudio Úbeda’s squad list, as the team prepares for a decisive match. The biggest surprise is the inclusion of Miguel Merentiel, who had seemed almost ruled out after suffering a calf tear last Friday. Although he is not expected to be fully fit, Merentiel will at least be available as an option from the bench, giving the coach a valuable alternative in a key game.
One of the most notable absences is Edinson Cavani. The Uruguayan striker was ultimately left out of the squad after experiencing a setback in his lower-back pain. His omission ends hopes that he might at least make the bench for Boca’s final match of the first half of the season. Cavani had already missed the game against Cruzeiro under similar circumstances, and his physical condition again prevented him from being included.
Carlos Palacios is another player who remains out of the picture. The Chilean has not seen much action so far this year after undergoing surgery in February, and the club continues to manage his recovery carefully. Palacios had been a regular starter under Úbeda at the end of 2025, but for now he is expected to keep working toward a return in the second half of the year.
The match also carries a special possibility because of Merentiel’s injury status. If he is not ready to start, Exequiel Zeballos is expected to step into the lineup and partner Milton Giménez in attack. For Zeballos, this could mean one of his final appearances in a Boca shirt, adding an emotional layer to a game already marked by tension and significance.
The squad list reflects both hope and concern for Boca. On one hand, Merentiel’s presence offers a boost and a possible surprise recovery. On the other, the absences of Cavani and Palacios highlight the physical problems affecting the squad at a crucial moment. With the season reaching an important point, Úbeda must rely on the players who are available to handle a match that could define the team’s immediate future.
Boca now turns its attention fully to Universidad Católica with a lineup shaped by injuries, returns, and possible farewells. The final selection shows a mix of urgency and caution, as the club looks to compete despite missing several key names.
