Úbeda in must-win game without key man, Paredes out vs Racing | OneFootball

What started as a concern on Sunday at the Bombonera was confirmed after the first practices of the week: Leandro Paredes will not be fit for the match on Friday. The Boca Juniors captain, who had to leave the field against Platense after admitting an expressive "I can't step," will be rested to prevent his right ankle injury from worsening.

The central midfielder had been dealing with physical discomfort during the five matches of the Apertura, which led to a noticeable decline in his performance. After the match against the "Calamar," the world champion himself acknowledged his situation: "I've been dealing with discomfort, it's part of this, it's part of football. Every time I get the chance to play, I'll try to do my best." However, after playing with an injection and leaving with ice, the sprain diagnosis forces the coaching staff to give him the rest his body needs.

The outlook for Úbeda: a significant absence

Paredes' absence comes at the most inopportune moment for the coach. With his job security under scrutiny, Claudio Úbeda knows that the classic in Avellaneda is crucial. "We have to beat Racing," stated the coach, who now has to rebuild the core of the team without its main reference and football leader.

As for the replacement, all paths lead to Milton Delgado. The young player, who already came on for the captain last Sunday, has the support of the fans and is a positional "5" that fits into the scheme. Barring any surprises, Delgado would share the midfield with Santiago Ascacíbar and Williams Alarcón, although the option of Tomás Belmonte is not ruled out, a player who is very much to the coach's liking for these tough matches.

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