📉 Alan Velasco, Boca Juniors’ most hard-fought signing | OneFootball

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After being booed at La Bombonera against Lanús, Mariano Herrón decided to leave him out of the potential starters against Independiente in the first formal practice.

Boca Juniors has brought in high-caliber players in the latest transfer market, with Carlos Palacios, Ander Herrera, and Agustín Marchesín among the most notable. In the case of Alan Velasco, they paid a figure close to USD 10 million to FC Dallas of the MLS to sign him, but since his arrival, he has faced very difficult times.

In the last match, which was the penalty shootout victory against Lanús at La Bombonera in the round of 16 of the 2025 Apertura Tournament, the fans expressed their discontent with Velasco's performance with whistles and boos.

These gestures of disapproval seem to have directly impacted Mariano Herrón's plans, the interim coach after Fernando Gago's departure, who has left Velasco out of the potential starters in the first formal practice of the week, according to TyC Sports.

Beyond not securing a place in the team with Gago, Alan Velasco found himself in the eye of the storm after missing a decisive penalty against Alianza Lima, which led to Boca's elimination in the preliminary phase of the 2025 CONMEBOL Libertadores.

Mariano Herrón wanted to restore his confidence with starts against Tigre and Lanús, but this week he decided to replace him with Milton Giménez in the first formal practice ahead of the quarter-final clash with Independiente in the 2025 Apertura Tournament.

Other reinforcements, like Ander Herrera or Rodrigo Battaglia, have been ruled out at times due to physical problems, while Carlos Palacios was sidelined for indiscipline. However, Alan Velasco has not been able to find his best form despite the opportunities.

"I think he alternated good situations, but it's up to us to improve him so he can find his best version. We understand he is a great player, we must help him integrate and find his best level, but for that, he also has to play," Herrón said after the match against Lanús.

In this way, the possible starting eleven for Boca Juniors against Independiente would be Agustín Marchesín; Lucas Blondel, Rodrigo Battaglia, Marcos Rojo, Lautaro Blanco; Tomás Belmonte, Milton Delgado, Kevin Zenón; Carlos Palacios; Milton Giménez and Miguel Merentiel.

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