Paredes out for Boca v Barracas after Scaloni call-up | OneFootball

If Boca is already walking a winding, irregular path with no clear direction, even with Leandro Paredes—one of the few high points of the team and its standout figure—a huge question arises about how the team will function without his presence. And, unfortunately for Miguel Ángel Russo, that complicated scenario has been confirmed.

The upcoming FIFA date leaves Xeneize without its ace, right when everything is on the line in the Torneo Clausura and the annual table, where they have temporarily fallen out of the Copa Libertadores qualification spots after their defeat to Defensa y Justicia. Called up by Lionel Scaloni, the number 5 will miss the match against Barracas Central.

Specifically, the Argentine National Team has two friendlies lined up in October: on the 10th against Venezuela in Miami, and on the 13th against Puerto Rico in Chicago. And Paredes, the backbone of the team both on and off the field, is part of the squad according to the official list published this Friday.

So, what’s the problem? That weekend, more precisely on Saturday 10/11, Boca visits Barracas Central for matchday 12 of the Torneo Clausura, and the midfielder will not be able to play. That means he will be available this Sunday against Newell’s, but will then join the National Team and miss the following match.

Within the bad news, there was a positive sign for Xeneize from Chile: although they were on the reserve list, coach Nicolás Córdova ultimately decided not to call up either Carlos Palacios (who is recovering from an injury) or Williams Alarcón.

Additionally, although he is not Russo’s first choice, Milton Delgado will also not be an option for the position, as he is playing in the U-20 World Cup with the Argentine National Team.

In any case, the key issue is Paredes’ absence against Barracas and the fatigue he will suffer not only from the matches but also from the return trip. The 31-year-old midfielder would rejoin the squad just in time for the match against Belgrano on October 19, although he is expected to be fit to play. As if that weren’t enough, the match against River looms on the horizon: November 9.

Precisely in November, the Argentine National Team has two more friendlies scheduled, against Angola and India. Because of this, Paredes might prioritize the Superclásico and then join the national delegation. But if that happens, he would still miss the last match, against Tigre, and would return for the potential Playoffs if Boca qualifies.

Thus, Russo and his coaching staff will have to plan how to make up for the absence of their main figure in the final stretch of the Torneo Clausura, with matches that will not only determine their qualification for the knockout phase but will also be key to securing Boca’s place in the next Copa Libertadores, based on the annual table. The advantage is that Ander Herrera returned against Defensa and stands out as a real alternative.

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