Young blood and stopgaps: Paredes and Ibarra's returns shake things up | OneFootball

Budiño and Allende’s forced exits trigger a complete reshuffle on Medrán’s board. Paredes’ 2026 debut and Ibarra’s move back on the pitch lay bare the urgency of a team that had to rebuild itself for today.

After a 2025 in which he showed flashes under Minella, the 22-year-old steps into goal at a good time, having extended his contract through 2028. During the week, he learned he would start in today’s match against Racing (C) due to Budiño’s absence. His last match as a starter was in the tournament finale against CADU, on October 5 of last year.

Ibarra: The utility man going back to basics

Conrado Ibarra started the year as Medrán’s big bet to give the attack more “lift,” trying him almost as a No. 7 to make the most of his ability to get forward. He even delivered with that goal in the draw against Ferro. After an injury that slowed him down, Medrán now needs him to take charge at left back. He returns to a position he knows well but hasn’t played since April (matchday 5). Do they lose an attacking weapon, or gain a defender who can push forward?

The Castet mystery: From poster boy to waiting list

What’s going on with Facundo Castet is perhaps the hardest thing to explain from the outside. At the start of the year, he looked set to own the left flank and then, all of a sudden, disappeared from the radar.

After two matchdays without even getting changed, he is back with the squad. His place on the bench sends a message: Medrán wants him close, but today he is behind Ibarra and an Allende who, until he got injured, was untouchable. Castet will have to come from behind to prove that the starter label he arrived with wasn’t a miscalculation.

Colón is going all in on the club’s youngsters and on names that now have to pass the test.

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