Boca squad vs O'Higgins: key returns and many absences | OneFootball

Boca has everything ready to host O'Higgins this Thursday at La Bombonera for the first leg of the 2026 Copa Sudamericana round of 32. Rodolfo Arruabarrena announced the squad list with the return of Leandro Paredes after his World Cup stint, along with the first call-ups for the new signings, although the coaching staff will have to deal with an overcrowded infirmary.

After finishing his participation with the Argentina National Team at the World Cup, the talented midfielder and team captain immediately reported to the coach and will anchor the heart of the starting lineup. Alongside him, Vasco Arruabarrena also officially included Sebastián Villa and Álvaro Montero in the squad, the last two signings to arrive in this transfer window.

Boca’s football outlook is not without headaches ahead of this knockout series. A string of physical setbacks has significantly reduced the first team’s options in key areas of the pitch. Leandro Lozano, who was set to start, was ruled out with muscle overload, while Chilean Carlos Palacios is dealing with discomfort in his adductor that sidelines him for the clash.

Boca’s squad is ready to begin the Sudamericana round of 32 tie. Photo: Javier Martino/Prensa CABJ.

Joining those absences is Tomás Belmonte, who suffered an ankle sprain that will keep him from seeing minutes, while the attack was also hit by the diagnoses of Milton Giménez, who is carrying an adductor muscle injury, and Adam Bareiro, ruled out due to a lower back problem that has prevented him from joining the group since preseason.

Boca squad vs O'Higgins

Goalkeepers: Álvaro Montero, Leandro Brey and Javier García.

Defenders: Dylan Gorosito, Lautaro Di Lollo, Nicolás Figal, Ayrton Costa, Marco Pellegrino, Lautaro Blanco and Malcom Braida.

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes, Santiago Ascacíbar, Camilo Rey Doménech, Milton Delgado, Williams Alarcón, Tomás Aranda, Kevin Zenón and Alan Velasco.

Forwards: Sebastián Villa, Leonel Flores, Miguel Merentiel, Ángel Romero and Gonzalo Gelini.

The Xeneize are coming off qualification in the Copa Argentina. Photo: CA.

Ins

Outs

The international clash against the Chilean side will be a real test to assess the new signings and reaffirm the strong performance shown against Sarmiento. The obligation to make the difference at home will be key, knowing that a positive result at La Bombonera will smooth the road ahead of the return leg to be played the following week in Chile.

The match between the Xeneize and the Capo de Provincia is scheduled for this Thursday, July 23, starting at 9:30 p.m., with Uruguayan referee Andrés Matonte in charge and Christian Ferreyra overseeing the VAR technology. TV coverage of this crucial clash will be provided by DSports and ESPN on Disney+.

Keep reading:

Dylan Gorosito will start in Boca vs. O'Higgins

The changes Arruabarrena could make for Boca to host O'Higgins at La Bombonera

Without rest, Leandro Paredes returned to Boca and wants to play against O'Higgins

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.