The 3 Boca players on the brink who must be careful v Cruzeiro | OneFootball

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

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

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.

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

Conmebol’s regulations for the Copa Libertadores are strict in this regard: upon receiving a third booking, a player must automatically 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 of the sixth and final group-stage match 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.

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 regardless of 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 message from the bench will be clear: play with the intensity and commitment that Boca’s shirt demands, but avoid reckless fouls, excessive protests, or any avoidable action that might prompt referee Jesús Valenzuela to reach for his card.

Keep reading:

What time does Boca vs Cruzeiro kick off today? TV and lineups

Confirmed blow for Boca: CONMEBOL confirmed Ascacibar’s suspension

How to watch Boca vs Cruzeiro LIVE and FREE in the Copa Libertadores

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