MIAMI, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Boca Juniors manager Miguel Angel Russo said Sunday that he will wait until the last minute to assess the fitness of Edinson Cavani ahead of the team's opening FIFA Club World Cup clash against Benfica.
Cavani is struggling to overcome a right calf strain and has trained separately from his Boca teammates in the lead-up to Monday's clash at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Russo explained that the 38-year-old former Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United striker would be given every chance to prove his fitness, but added that no risks would be taken.
"With Cavani, we're taking it day-by-day, we're talking and seeing how it goes," Russo told a news conference.
"I always say the same thing. We talk to him about everything. Sometimes it takes an extra day, but it's all to be expected. We're putting ourselves in agreement day by day to go forward the best way possible."
Russo returned for a third spell in charge of Boca earlier this month, replacing Fernando Gago after a poor run of results.
The 69-year-old, who guided the Argentine club to its sixth Copa Libertadores title in 2007, refused to entertain the idea of advancing beyond the group stage here.
"What matters is tomorrow's game, we're not looking at what comes after this match," he said.
"We know that in seven, eight days we'll play three matches, but the first one is the most important. Benfica are one of the great European clubs."
Boca will also face Bayern Munich and Auckland City in Group C. ■
