Is the 3-man line returning? Gago's doubts at Boca for facing Racing | OneFootball

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Boca Juniors is wrapping up its preparations for the clash against Racing set to take place this Saturday night in Avellaneda.

This is one of the most anticipated matches of the fourth round of the Apertura 2025.

The Academy of Gustavo Costas is one of the toughest opponents, and even though they started the tournament well, they recently lost to Estudiantes. Now, at their home stadium and in front of their fans, they are looking to bounce back, and hosting Boca will be a great motivation.

Therefore, the Xeneize coach, Fernando Gago, still fine-tuning his team's performance, is considering making some significant changes for this clash.

Three-man defense line? Is Marcos Rojo returning?

📸 Daniel Jayo - 2024 Getty Images

In the first match he played as a visitor, against Unión in Santa Fe, Gago chose to play with three central defenders.

This is the option he is considering now for the visit to the Cilindro. In this case, Lautaro Di Lollo would join the team as the third central defender, along with Rodrigo Battaglia and another player who is still in doubt: Ayrton Costa had been playing, but Marcos Rojo, now recovered from his Achilles tendon discomfort, could start if he is 100% fit.

Is Changuito Zeballos out of the starting eleven?

📸 Marcelo Endelli - 2025 Getty Images

Exequiel Zeballos has established himself as a starter with Gago, but he still lacks some consistency in his game. Some rumors from the latest training sessions of the Xeneize team suggest that Zeballos, known as 'Changuito', could be on the bench against Racing, with Miguel Merentiel taking his place in the starting eleven.

Carlos Palacios, as a playmaker or winger?

📸 Marcelo Endelli - 2025 Getty Images

The role of the Chilean, who just scored his first goal for Boca in a dream play at La Bombonera that gave the team the victory, could also change.

His position will depend on the formation used by the coach. If he goes with a 3-4-3, Palacios would be part of the attacking trio, on the left, accompanied by Edinson Cavani in the box and Alan Velasco on the right.

Alternatively, Gago could line up a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Palacios behind Cavani, and Merentiel and Velasco on the wings.

In either case, Marcelo Saracchi and Luis Advíncula will play as full-backs, and Tomás Belmonte and Williams Alarcón in the midfield.

📸 Luciano Bisbal - 2025 Getty Images