On the eve of their debut in the Copa Sudamericana playoffs, Rodolfo Arruabarrena set up the team that Boca Juniors will present against O'Higgins at La Bombonera. The Vasco tested a lineup with several changes in the last training session, including the return of captain Leandro Paredes and the presence of the new signings.
Paredes, despite a fracture in a rib that he has been carrying since the World Cup, insisted on being available and was part of the starting team in Wednesday's practice in Ezeiza. The midfielder earned a spot from the start and shared the midfield with Milton Delgado.
Additionally, Álvaro Montero and Sebastián Villa, the recent additions, were also part of the starting eleven. Montero took the goal instead of Leandro Brey, while Villa positioned himself as a left winger.
Changes in defense and midfield
Compared to the previous match, there were forced modifications. Dylan Gorosito, one of the youth players promoted by Arruabarrena, would replace Leandro Lozano, who will miss the series due to a muscle strain. The defensive line was formed by Figal, Costa, and Blanco.
The rest of the midfield included Leonel Flores and Tomás Aranda, completing a setup that seeks solidity ahead of the international clash. Up front, Miguel Merentiel would continue to be the attacking reference.
The formation that the coach set would be: Álvaro Montero; Dylan Gorosito; Nicolás Figal, Ayrton Costa, Lautaro Blanco; Leandro Paredes, Milton Delgado; Leonel Flores, Tomás Aranda, Sebastián Villa; Miguel Merentiel.
Important absences in the call-up
The list of call-ups presented several significant absences. In addition to Lozano, Milton Giménez was out due to an adductor injury, Carlos Palacios with muscle overload, Adam Bareiro due to a lumbar issue, and Tomás Belmonte with an ankle sprain.
These absences force Arruabarrena to reconfigure some pieces, betting on those who have been performing well and on Paredes' experience, who communicated his willingness to play despite the physical discomfort. The captain joins as a key leader at the start of this South American journey.
The xeneize team will seek to gain an advantage in the first leg against the Chileans, with a mix of experience and youth. Villa and Montero bring freshness in attack and goal, while the rest of the squad tries to consolidate their performance under the new coaching direction.
With this final rehearsal, Boca faces tomorrow's commitment with the hope of advancing in the Copa Sudamericana. Fans expect a good performance at La Bombonera to start this knockout stage on the right foot.
