Boca's enforced change for Universidad Católica visit | OneFootball

Boca’s path in the 2026 Copa Libertadores group stage will reach its defining moment next Thursday, May 28, when they host Universidad Católica at La Bombonera. Needing a win to secure qualification for the round of 16, the team coached by Claudio Úbeda will have to face the match with one forced change.

The change that Sifón will have to make in the starting lineup comes as a result of Ayrton Costa’s confirmed absence. During the hard-fought clash against the Brazilian side, the center-back was shown a yellow card in the 72nd minute.

That booking meant he reached the limit of three accumulated yellow cards in the continental tournament, so he must serve a one-match suspension under CONMEBOL regulations and will miss the crucial clash against the Chilean side.

Ayrton Costa will not be able to play against Universidad Católica due to yellow-card accumulation.

Given this situation, which gives the coaching staff a headache, the main candidate to take the vacant spot in central defense is Marco Pellegrino. If the coach goes with this logical option, the back line will be reshuffled with Pellegrino partnering Lautaro Di Lollo in central defense, while Malcom Braida would remain at right-back and Lautaro Blanco would do the same on the left flank.

The match at Alberto J. Armando Stadium will be a true final. At the moment, the Group D standings have Cruzeiro at the top with 8 points, followed very closely by the blue-and-gold side and Universidad Católica, both with 7 points (although the Chileans have a game in hand ahead of their meeting with Barcelona SC, who have 3).

With no margin for error, reshuffling the defense will be vital to achieving the solidity the team needs to take all three points at home and secure its place in the next stage of the most important tournament in the Americas.

Boca awaits Universidad Católica

The matchday six and final group-stage fixture of the Copa Libertadores will take place on Thursday, May 28, starting at 9:30 p.m. The referee for this decisive match will be announced in the coming hours.

Boca need to win to secure qualification for the round of 16.

The Xeneize are coming off a controversial match against Cruzeiro in which referee Jesús Valenzuela came under heavy scrutiny for applying different standards to the same play: he disallowed Merentiel’s second goal for a handball by Delgado in the box, but did not award a penalty when Romero touched the ball with his left forearm.

Keep reading:

What result Boca need to qualify for the round of 16

Confirmed absence for Boca: Ayrton Costa will miss the match against Católica

“Punishment”: Claudio Úbeda hit out at Jesús Valenzuela after the draw against Cruzeiro

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