Boca tests Battaglia and weighs midfield options ahead of clash with San Lorenzo

The derby is just around the corner, and Boca's biggest question mark is in midfield. Rodolfo Arruabarrena shuffled his lineup in training this week ahead of the trip to face San Lorenzo for matchday ten of Zone A in the 2026 Clausura, at Estadio Pedro Bidegain.

The context is anything but ordinary. The team arrives fresh off reaching the Copa Sudamericana semifinals after eliminating Sao Paulo 2-1 on aggregate, which leaves tired legs and minds still caught up in the continental high. Even so, Arruabarrena has no intention of treating the derby as an afterthought. Quite the opposite: he wants his best available players on the field.

Friday brought good news with Rodrigo Battaglia, who has rejoined the squad after the surgery he underwent earlier in the year. The midfielder was tested by the coach in a training session, according to journalist Diego Monroig on ESPN F12, giving Arruabarrena one more option to consider for Sunday's midfield.

In that session, the team lined up with Leandro Brey in goal; Leandro Lozano, Lautaro Di Lollo, Marco Pellegrino and Malcom Braida across the back line; Santiago Ascacibar, Battaglia and Milton Delgado in midfield; and up top, Sebastian Villa, Enner Valencia and Leonel Flores.

Still, patience is needed with Battaglia's recovery timeline. Martin Costa reported that he won't even be ready to face Racing the following Sunday in the Copa Argentina, though the midfielder is steadily building rhythm and confidence match by match, something the club views favorably with an eye on what comes after the derby.

Meanwhile, Ayrton Costa continues to log minutes as part of his recovery process following the injury that kept him out, working to get back to full competition as soon as possible.

Arruabarrena's dilemmas

The truth is that Boca's starting lineup is starting to take shape almost by heart, and the coach's preferences are becoming clearer by the day. In fact, according to Monroig, it's very likely that Arruabarrena will stick with the same starting eleven that drew away to Sao Paulo.

Still, two names remain under watch based on their physical condition in training: Leandro Paredes and Milton Delgado. Their form over the next few days could end up tipping the scales in how the team is put together.

There's also a decision pending up front. Leonel Flores has the edge to hold onto a starting spot in the attack, but Sebastian Villa isn't giving up and will push hard to win the job ahead of the match against the Ciclon.

The derby will be played on Sunday, September 20, broadcast on TNT Sports in Argentina and Disney+ throughout the rest of Latin America. Kickoff is set for 2:45 p.m. in Argentina and Uruguay, 1:45 p.m. in Chile, and 12:45 p.m. in Colombia, Peru and Ecuador.