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

The forced absence of Budiño and Allende is forcing a complete reshuffle on Medrán’s board. Paredes’ debut in 2026 and Ibarra’s move back on the field expose the urgent needs of a team that had to rebuild itself for today.

After a 2025 in which he showed flashes under Minella, the 22-year-old takes over in goal at a good moment. He extended his contract through 2028 and, during the week, found out 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 versatile player who goes back to basics

Conrado Ibarra started the year as Medrán’s big bet to give the attack more “lift,” trying him almost as a right winger to take advantage 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). Is the team losing an attacking weapon or gaining 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 seemed set to own the left flank and then, suddenly, disappeared from the radar.

After two matchdays without even getting changed, he is back in the squad. His place on the bench sends a message: Medrán wants him close, but right now he is behind Ibarra and Allende, who until his injury was untouchable. Castet will have to come from behind to prove that the starter label he arrived with was not a miscalculation.

Colón is betting on the club’s young players 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.