The 3 Boca players walking a tightrope against Cruzeiro

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La Número 12

·19 May 2026

The 3 Boca players walking a tightrope against Cruzeiro

Boca is getting ready for a high-stakes match against the Brazilian side in the Copa Libertadores, with everything on the line, and beyond the tactical side of things, there are 3 players who will have to play under caution so they do not miss the end of the group stage.

The Xeneize face a decisive test in their international campaign. The team from La Ribera will take on Cruzeiro in a match that promises maximum tension, not only because of the rival’s history and what is at stake in the race for a spot in the round of 16, but also because of the delicate disciplinary situation affecting three important members of the squad.

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Leandro Paredes, Lautaro Blanco and Ayrton Costa are one booking away from suspension. On the eve of this crucial clash, all three players have picked up two yellow cards each so far in the continental tournament.

Leandro Paredes yellow card vs Universidad Católica and Cruzeiro.
Lautaro Blanco yellow card vs Universidad Católica and Cruzeiro.
Ayrton Costa yellow card vs Cruzeiro and Barcelona.

Paredes, Costa and Blanco on the yellow-card limit at Boca.

CONMEBOL’s regulations for the Copa Libertadores are strict on this point: upon receiving a third booking, a player must serve a one-match suspension. This means that if any of these three players is shown a yellow card against the team from Belo Horizonte, he will automatically be ruled out for the sixth and final matchday of the group stage against Universidad Católica.

The blue and gold side is already dealing with the suspension of Santiago Ascacibar, who will miss the match against the Brazilians after being sent off against Barcelona in Ecuador. Likewise, he will also be unavailable for the final matchday against Universidad Católica, because the competition’s Disciplinary Unit handed him a two-match ban.

When yellow cards are wiped

The biggest issue for the Xeneize is that the risk does not end in the group stage. The current regulations strictly state that accumulated yellow cards are not wiped before the Round of 16 as used to happen before; instead, they remain in effect for that stage and also for the quarterfinals. The record is only cleared at the start of the semifinals.

This means that even if Leandro Paredes, Lautaro Blanco and Ayrton Costa come through the match against Cruzeiro without being booked, they will still have to keep playing under caution and right on the edge during the final group-stage matchday and, if Boca advance, in the following rounds as well.

The yellow-card problem

Avoiding fouls is not only a sporting necessity to keep the squad from being depleted, but it also involves other crucial regulatory factors:

Financial penalty: CONMEBOL sets a fine of USD 400 for every yellow card received during this Group Stage. So far, Boca have received 10 bookings for their players, which amounts to a $4,000 fine.
The standings: In the event of a tie on points in the group, the number of yellow cards serves as the 5th tiebreaker, always favoring the team with fewer bookings.

Boca cannot afford to lose them

Losing any of these players would be a major headache for the coaching staff led by Claudio Úbeda. All three are starters for El Sifón and beyond what happens in today’s match against Cruzeiro, the Xeneize will play their final match on Thursday the 28th against Católica, where the team hopes to secure qualification for the Copa Libertadores round of 16.

Given this scenario, the instruction from the bench will be clear: play with the intensity and commitment demanded by the Boca shirt, but avoid reckless fouls, excessive protests, or any avoidable action that might prompt referee Jesús Valenzuela to reach for his card.