Arruabarrena's changes at Boca to face O'Higgins at La Bombonera | OneFootball

Boca’s head coach is preparing several changes to the starting lineup that will take the field at La Bombonera for the first-leg clash in the Copa Sudamericana Round of 32. The coaching staff is getting changes ready in almost every line to host O'Higgins.

Ahead of this crucial match on Thursday, set to kick off at 9:30 p.m., Vasco Arruabarrena plans to make substantial changes compared to the eleven that took the field in the last match against Sarmiento in the Copa Argentina. The coaching staff’s main objective is to put together a setup with more attacking play in order to take the advantage in the series.

In goal, the new face will be Álvaro Montero, who will take Leandro Brey’s place. The Colombian will make his debut between the posts. The defensive line is still in doubt. Although Nicolás Figal, Ayrton Costa, and Lautaro Blanco are guaranteed spots, Uruguayan right-back Leandro Lozano picked up a muscle overload and Dylan Gorosito will play in his place.

Leandro Paredes would return to the starting lineup. Photo: Javier Martino/Prensa CABJ.

In midfield, the change most anticipated by Boca fans will be the return of captain Leandro Paredes alongside Milton Delgado. The club leader will bring authority and distribution through the middle together with Santiago Ascacíbar, allowing playmaking to flow toward the creative trio of Leonel Flores, Tomás Aranda, and Sebastián Villa.

The Colombian forward is one of the new names in the lineup, because Vasco would put him in the team just days after returning to the club. He would take the spot Alan Velasco had in Rosario. The focal point in the Xeneize box will remain Miguel Merentiel.

Boca’s possible lineup vs. O'Higgins

To sum it up, and barring any last-minute issues in the final training session, Boca would line up as follows: Álvaro Montero; Dylan Gorosito, Nicolás Figal, Ayrton Costa, Lautaro Blanco; Leandro Paredes, Milton Delgado; Leonel Flores, Tomás Aranda, Sebastián Villa; and Miguel Merentiel.

The Xeneize are putting the finishing touches on their preparations to host the Chilean side. Photo: Javier Martino/Prensa CABJ.

The club from La Ribera approaches this Copa Sudamericana Round of 32 tie with the highest expectations, knowing that building a comfortable lead against the Chilean team is essential to head into the return leg away from home with peace of mind. The board and coaching staff trust that this reshuffle in names will give the team the definitive leap in quality, having so far added only three new signings.

Keep reading:

Leandro Paredes returns to Boca after playing the final with a fracture

Who will referee Boca vs. O'Higgins in the Sudamericana

When Boca will play again after the Copa Argentina win

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