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

If Boca is walking on a winding, irregular path without a clear direction with Leandro Paredes, one of the few high points of the team and the standout figure, a giant question arises about how it will function without his presence. And, unfortunately for Miguel Ángel Russo, that complicated scenario has been confirmed.

The next FIFA date leaves Xeneize without its ace of spades, just when everything is at stake in the Clausura Tournament and the annual table, in which it temporarily fell out of the Copa Libertadores qualification spots after the defeat against Defensa y Justicia. Called up by Lionel Scaloni, the number 5 will miss the match against Barracas Central.

In concrete terms, the Argentina national team has lined up two friendlies in October: the 10th, against Venezuela in Miami; and the 13th, against Puerto Rico in Chicago. And Paredes, the backbone of the team both on and off the pitch, is part of the call-up as announced in the official list published this Friday.

What's the problem then? That weekend, more precisely on Saturday 11/10, Boca visits Barracas Central for matchday 12 of the Clausura Tournament and the midfielder will not be able to play. That is, he will be there this Sunday against Newell's but will then join the national team and be absent the following matchday.

Within the bad news, a positive sign came for Xeneize from Chile: although they were reserved, coach Nicolás Córdova finally decided not to call up Carlos Palacios (recovering from an injury) or Williams Alarcón.

Also, although he is not high in Russo's considerations, Milton Delgado will also not be an option for the position, as he is playing the U20 World Cup with the Argentina national team.

However, the key lies in the absence of Paredes against Barracas and the wear and tear he will suffer not only from the matches, but from the return trip. The 31-year-old midfielder would rejoin the squad in a race against time for the match with Belgrano on October 19, although he is expected to be fit to play. As if that were not enough, the match against River is on the horizon: November 9.

Indeed, in November, the Argentina national team has two more friendlies scheduled, against Angola and India. In light of this, Paredes could prioritize the Superclásico and then join the national delegation. But, if this 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 compensate for the absence of their main figure in the final stretch of the Clausura Tournament, with matches that will not only determine their qualification for the knockout phase, but will also be key to securing Boca's presence in the next Copa Libertadores, from the annual table. The advantage is that Ander Herrera returned against Defensa and stands as a concrete alternative.

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