You’ve heard it before, and given Boca Juniors star Juan Roman Riquelme has had a whole two matches under Julio Falconi, it may be time we heard it again. The Argentine playmaker, who some consider the last of a dying breed, will be left out of Falconi’s squad for Boca’s weekend match with All Boys. Why he’ll be left out is uncertain.
Here We Go Again? Juan Roman Riquelme Left Out Of Boca Juniors Squad For Weekend Match
For some help, we look to Rupert Fryer’s SouthAmericanFootball.co.uk, where we learn that there may be some dispute about Riquelme’s health. The player suffered an ankle injury two weeks ago against Godoy Cruz but had declared himself fully fit, as of the beginning of this week.
Falconi has not only undermined that but is also having Riquelme train apart from the rest of the team. Either Riquelme is not as healthy as he’s portraying or there’s something more to this story, the latter leading to speculation that Riquelme is involved in another conflict.
For his part, Falconi denies any friction, chalking-up Riquelme’s exclusion to managerial prerogative. We don’t know Riquelme’s side. He’s stopped talking to the media, behavior you rarely see from a happy player.
Even if this is a mere miscommunication between coach and player, it’s still a concerning turn. Falconi is in his third month on the job, appointed at the end of the Apertura, but he’s only been in charge for two league matches. Yet, he and Riquelme are already on different frequencies.
None of which bodes well for supporters hoping Boca can improve on last tournament’s 12th place finish.
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