What will Martínez do? Cavani returned to his best level and now Boca’s double nine came under scrutiny

The triplet of Edinson Cavani in the narrow victory over Belgrano ended a streak of eight games without Matador celebrations and returned Boca to the top positions in Zone B of the League Cup. However, despite the Uruguayan’s goals and Xeneize’s acceptable performance in the second half, Pirate’s victory posed a new question up front for the upcoming matches. Yes, beyond the result, and the “correct” functioning of his team, Diego Martínez took his homework home. On Wednesday, against Unión, should the double 9 continue?

Emotional memory is defined as that information that is housed with more power in our brain due to the accompaniment of emotions. In that sense, Boca fans still keep the memory of the game fresh. Cavani’s goal against Palmeiras for the second leg semi-final of the Copa Libertadores in São Paulo, after a great escape by Miguel Merentiel. That night, Boca tied 1-1 in the 90 minutes and made it to the final thanks to Chiquito Romero’s gloves and Pol Fernández’s decisive penalty. The Uruguayan formula seemed to have no cons. At least, in the opinion of Jorge Almirón, who maintained the recipe until the decisive match with Fluminense.

Cavani breaks the drought and scores from a penalty; It was the first of his triple harvest against BelgranoDaniel Jayo

The cold statistics indicate that Cavani and Merentiel shared ownership 15 times, with three wins for Boca, ten draws and two defeats. And in those 15 meetings they shared five goals each. Edi scored against Palmeiras, Talleres for the Argentine Cup and Belgrano. And the Beast, against Nacional of Uruguay for the Libertadores, Unión de Santa Fe, San Lorenzo and Newell’s. But not everything is what it seems. Because although both Cavani and Merentiel contributed to the team’s collective play, they were not able to replicate on the field the excellent relationship they had off it.

In front of the T, without going any further, Cavani scored his second goal in Boca through a penalty that he created himself. And on Sunday, against Belgrano, two of his three screams (those that came from game actions) occurred when Merentiel, in a weak match, had already left the field. Cavani’s other cry was on the first date of the last League Cup, against Platense (3-1) when he also formed an attacking duo with Janson, since Merentiel had had a rest thinking about the cup series against Racing.

Merentiel’s tantrum; The Uruguayan missed a couple of chances in the duel against PirateDaniel Jayo

Merentiel’s goals did not have the help of Cavani either. Against Newell’s (1-0) and Unión (2-1), the Uruguayan was no longer on the field, while against Nacional and San Lorenzo, the assists for the Beast came from the feet of Advíncula and Barco.

But there is one fact that must not be lost sight of. Whenever Cavani was at the coach’s disposal, Martínez opted for Edi and Merentiel as strikers. And although he stated on more than one occasion that he is “open” to using different schemes, for the moment he only leaned towards the 4-4-2 or 4-3-1-2, always with the Uruguayans as starters. .

Cavani’s celebration and Kevin Zenón’s congratulationsALEJANDRO PAGNI – AFP

Faced with Belgrano, for example, he decided the entry of Luca Langoni to accompany Cavani and Merentiel and that’s how the goals came. When Edi was not there, Martínez also attacked with two men, although with one on the inside and one on the outside: Langoni-Merentiel vs. Platense; Benedetto-Merentiel before Tigre and Defense and Justice; and Janson-Merentiel in front of Central Córdoba and Lanús.

With a view to the match against Unión, Martínez is analyzing making a series of variants taking into account the series of matches that are coming up for Boca in the coming weeks. After visiting Unión, it will be their turn to receive Racing (on Sunday), face Estudiantes in La Plata (on 3/17), face Central Norte de Salta for the Argentine Cup (on 3/27) and face the classic against San Lorenzo in the Bombonera (3/31). Later he will begin his participation in the Copa Sudamericana. For this reason, Martínez does not rule out resting some players. And one of those targeted is Merentiel, one of the few who played all the games this year.

If either of the two do not play, the one who will enter will be Langoni, who made a good start against Belgrano and who assumes the role of second striker very well. Simply a question of rotation?

Leandro Contento

Themes

Mundo BocaEdinson CavaniCopa de la Liga 2024

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