A Classic With Everything at Stake
Boca is not resting. After returning from Paraguay, where they secured a place in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals with a 4-0 thrashing of Recoleta, coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena has already shifted focus to the upcoming clash against Racing at the Estadio Presidente Perón, better known as the Cilindro.
This will be the first classic for the Vasco in his second stint at the Xeneize helm, and the circumstances are far from ideal: a congested fixture list has taken a toll on the squad, forcing the coaching staff to carefully manage minutes to maintain their positive run.
"We play a classic on Sunday, a special match, but we have to be smart about handling each player's workload," sources from the coaching staff said.
For international readers, this is one of Argentina's most heated rivalries. Boca Juniors and Racing Club have a long history of intense battles, with both clubs boasting massive fan bases and storied traditions. The clash is part of the Torneo Clausura 2026, the second half of the Argentine league season.
Three Confirmed Absences
Arruabarrena has already ruled out three key players for the match against la Academia:
- Leandro Paredes: The captain suffered inflammation in his left hamstring during the 1-1 draw with Platense and did not travel to Paraguay. His absence is the most significant.
- Leandro Lozano: He is dealing with discomfort in the posterior muscle of his right leg and will also be unavailable.
- Marco Pellegrino: He picked up a muscle strain in the same area during the match against Platense and has been ruled out.
These three losses add to the uncertainty surrounding the fitness of two other crucial players.
Di Lollo and Flores: The Big Doubts
The case of Lautaro Di Lollo is generating the most buzz. The defender didn't get any minutes against Recoleta and, upon arrival, underwent medical tests that showed no structural damage. However, he is suffering from inflammation in his pubis that has been bothering him for six months.
The coaching staff's plan is to push him through training sessions ahead of the classic. If he responds well, he'll start; if not, Nicolás Figal will take his place. Figal had initially won the starting spot at the beginning of Vasco's tenure but lost ground after an error led to a goal against O'Higgins.
On the other hand, Leonel Flores, one of the young players who has impressed recently, is also feeling the strain of a heavy match load. Against Recoleta, he didn't even complete the warm-up. Both could miss the Avellaneda encounter.
Key Detail
Di Lollo is a transfer target for Benfica. Arruabarrena requested a central defender and was offered Kevin Lomónaco, though club officials have indicated they'll stick with their current options. Facundo Herrera, 20, made his debut against Recoleta and could be an alternative.
Barinaga Moves to Racing
While Boca finalizes its squad, there's movement across Avellaneda: Racing has reached an agreement with Boca to sign Juan Barinaga, a 25-year-old right-back who isn't in Arruabarrena's plans, on a one-year loan with an option to buy.
The defender's arrival depends on Racing resolving the exit of Uruguayan Gastón Martirena. Talks have progressed in recent hours, and Racing and the player have also agreed on personal terms.
Team Form and Context
Racing has hit a rough patch in the league: they are winless in four matches (one draw and three consecutive defeats) after losing 1-0 at home to Banfield. However, they beat Belgrano 1-0 in the Copa Argentina round of 16 and arrive with renewed confidence. For this match, Racing welcomes back Adrián Maravilla Martínez, their star striker.
Boca comes in after qualifying for the Sudamericana quarterfinals with a 4-0 win over Recoleta. In domestic play, Arruabarrena's side drew 1-1 against Platense, extending their unbeaten streak to four games (one win, three draws).
The last meeting between these two was on February 20, 2026, ending 0-0 at La Bombonera.
Match Details
| Match | Racing vs. Boca |
|---|---|
| Competition | Fecha 6 of the Torneo Clausura 2026 |
| Stadium | Presidente Perón (Cilindro de Avellaneda) |
| Date & Time | Sunday, August 23, 9:30 PM (Argentina time) |
| TV | ESPN Premium |