Club World Cup: Boca Fine-Tunes Preparations for Debut Against Benfica | Costa Arrives in Miami with Visa, Feeling Confident and Happy

Two updates for Boca in recent hours ahead of their debut in the Club World Cup this Monday against Benfica. The accidental arrival of defender Ayrton Costa after obtaining a temporary work permit is joined by the possibility that Malcom Braida could start.

Although he has not yet completed the tactical session before the match, which would take place in training this Sunday, coach Miguel Angel Russo has already set his first team for the beginning of his third term in charge of Xeneize, which would start with a flexible 4-4-2 formation where Alan Velasco appeared as a left midfielder, a decision that could leave an open flank behind in defense.

For this reason, the name of Braida has gained traction, even though he has only been with the rest of the squad for two days. The fullback-midfielder has the ability to cover the entire flank and would be a great complement to Lautaro Blanco, who is initially the starting left back for the debut.

Braida played 23 matches when Russo managed San Lorenzo, 11 of them as captain, and the coach knows very well what the Córdoba native can contribute along the left side, despite being right-footed.

If he is finally a starter, the 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1 would be more defined and would offer greater defensive presence on the flanks, an aspect Boca needs to watch given the offensive power of the Portuguese.

There are also doubts about whether Peruvian Luis Advíncula is fit or if Lucas Blondel will play, and about deploying a double pivot with Williams Alarcón and Milton Delgado, which would exclude Spanish Ander Herrera, who emphasized the global importance of the club from La Ribera: “Boca is an admired club, something that is considered unique in the world” and it truly is. I have great respect for all the fans and all the Argentine clubs, but there is nothing like Boca. When you leave Argentina, you realize that Argentine football and Boca are constantly linked”, noted the former player of Athletic Bilbao, Manchester United, and PSG.

Meanwhile, up front Uruguayan Miguel Merentiel is assured a spot and his partner would be Chilean Carlos Palacios, although Milton Giménez also has chances to play.

The Arrival of Costa

After several ups and downs, Costa finally obtained his work permit and was able to arrive in the United States this Saturday.

“I am very happy to be here. I am grateful to the club that supported me until the end, and to Russo, who took a chance on me and included me in the list. I am tired from the trip, but the eagerness is great. We have a great team, we are Boca, let’s not forget that: we are very big. The team arrives with a lot of desire and hunger for glory,” the defender confirmed upon his arrival at the Boca concentration in Miami.

The situation for Costa took an unexpected turn when last Friday the U.S. embassy confirmed that he was granted a work permit and would travel that same night. This all happened due to a miscommunication and a call that the player nearly did not answer.

“They told me they would confirm the visa by email; but they did not send an email and called from a hidden number like four times. I didn’t want to answer, but I did and then they told me to go pick it up,” he explained.

Costa admitted he shared that moment of happiness with his mother, who had a tough time in recent days: “I didn’t pay much attention, the one who followed everything was her, and it hurt her to hear a lot of nonsense. Many people were negative, but here we are to give everything for this shirt. My mom is the one who is always there when the lights go out. And now she was very happy,” he concluded.