Boca Juniors begins pre‑season with two friendlies against Defensa y Justicia

Boca Juniors opened its 2026 pre‑season under coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena with two informal matches versus Defensa y Justicia at Casa Amarilla. The first game ended 1‑1, with Angel Romero scoring for Boca; the second saw Boca win 1‑0 thanks to a Miguel Merentiel strike set up by youngster Leonel Flores.

Arruabarrena used mixed line‑ups, giving debut minutes to recent signing Leandro Lozano, while youth prospect Dylan Gorosito also featured. The coach indicated that central defender Lautaro Di Lollo’s starting place remains under review, and several players have been told they are no longer in the club’s plans.

Boca’s next scheduled friendly is on 8 July in Salta against Brazilian side Athletico Paraná, after which the team will focus on official competitions, beginning with a Copa Argentina round‑of‑16 match versus Sarmiento de Junín on 16 July. Transfer negotiations continue, with reports that a deal for Álvaro Montero is stalled and talks on Sebastián Villa are expected within 72 hours.

The pre‑season fixtures are intended to shape the squad ahead of the upcoming Clausura, Copa Argentina and Copa Sudamericana campaigns.