With Leandro Paredes leading the way, Úbeda's Boca debut in Chile | OneFootball

The long-awaited moment has arrived. This Tuesday, Boca Juniors begins its 2026 Copa Libertadores journey by facing Universidad Católica at Chile’s Claro Arena. After rotating players in the local tournament against Talleres, coach Claudio Úbeda is going all in for a debut that will be broadcast on Disney+.

Brey, facing his big opportunity

The big news is in goal: Leandro Brey will make his debut as a starter in the continental competition. After getting minutes off the bench in previous editions (in 2022 against Always Ready and recently in the penalty shootout against Alianza Lima), the young goalkeeper takes on the responsibility of guarding the Xeneize goal from the start.

Úbeda’s starting eleven: experience and youth

The defense comes in refreshed, as all four starters were rested in Córdoba. In midfield, Leandro Paredes brings the quality needed to link up with Milton Delgado and Santiago Ascacíbar, leaving Tomás Aranda —the player of the moment— as the creative connector. Up front, firepower is guaranteed with the Merentiel-Bareiro duo.

The confirmed lineup:

Leandro Brey; Marcelo Weigandt, Lautaro Di Lollo, Ayrton Costa, Lautaro Blanco; Santiago Ascacíbar, Milton Delgado, Leandro Paredes; Tomás Aranda; Miguel Merentiel and Adam Bareiro.

Key absences in the squad

Despite the optimism, Xeneize arrives with a crowded treatment room. Agustín Marchesín traveled to support the group but remains sidelined with a serious muscle tear. He is joined by the notable absences of Edinson Cavani, Carlos Palacios, and “Changuito” Zeballos, who are still recovering, as well as Rodrigo Battaglia, a long-term absentee after surgery on his Achilles tendon.

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