Boca to Be Without Montero for FIFA Date, Will Face Copa Argentina Round of 16 with Brey in Goal

Right when Boca needs certainty the most, a costly absence has emerged. Alvaro Montero was called up by the Colombian national team for the upcoming FIFA date, leaving the Xeneize without their starting goalkeeper for a match that leaves no room for error: the round of 16 of the Copa Argentina against Racing.

The match is set for Sunday, September 27, just a day after Colombia plays a friendly against Mexico in the United States. The timing simply doesn't work: Montero won't be able to get back to Buenos Aires in time for that game, and he'll also miss the following match against Union for matchday 11 of the Torneo Clausura. He will, however, make it in time for the derby against San Lorenzo on matchday 10, before joining up with the squad led by Nestor Lorenzo.

Brey's Challenge Between the Posts

With the Colombian out, all signs point to Leandro Brey taking over against the Academia. It's no small stage for a debut with this kind of responsibility: a spot in the Copa Argentina semifinals is on the line, and Arruabarrena is forced to shake up a position he had considered settled for the entire season.

Montero had claimed the starting job on merit, particularly in penalty shootouts, so losing him right before a knockout match hits the coach's planning hard. Still, Brey isn't starting from zero: he's already logged minutes in the competition, and now he'll need to deliver in a high-stakes match with Boca needing to advance.

A Bit of Good News to Soften the Blow

Amid that headache, Arruabarrena caught a break from Uruguay. Miguel Merentiel was not called up by La Celeste for this FIFA date and will be available to face Racing. That's no small detail for the team's attack: the forward will be on hand, sparing the coach another significant absence right in the middle of the international window.

That's the picture for Boca heading into a key match: without their starting goalkeeper, with Brey shouldering a major responsibility, and with Merentiel providing relief up front. The Copa Argentina shows no mercy, and the Xeneize will need to sort out these last minute adjustments to stay alive in the competition.