Marco Pellegrino in line to replace Ayrton Costa for Boca against Católica | OneFootball

Boca face an urgent defensive reshuffle after a bruising meeting with Cruzeiro left Ayrton Costa suspended. The centre-back collected his third yellow card and will miss the next match, with Marco Pellegrino in line to step in against Universidad Católica.

According to LaNumer12.com.ar, Costa was one of three Boca players on a booking tightrope alongside Leandro Paredes and Lautaro Blanco. In a fractious clash at La Bombonera last night, he reached the limit and will sit out the sixth and final matchday of the continental competition, when a last-16 place is at stake.

His absence forces Úbeda to reshuffle, and Pellegrino has emerged as the sole named option to cover for the former Royal Antwerp defender’s automatic ban. He would start on Thursday 28 against Universidad Católica.

At Ezeiza, Pellegrino’s name has been floated as the immediate solution and the former Huracán defender has largely featured when the head coach rotated this term. He has played six matches, totalling 451 minutes, and last appeared in the 2-1 win at Central Córdoba on 2 May in Santiago.

The plan is for him to slot in quickly alongside Lautaro Di Lollo, with Malcom Braida on the right and Lautaro Blanco on the left. Pellegrino’s inclusion could bring added physical presence and aerial strength against the Chilean side.

Source: LaNumer12.com.ar