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Boca Faces a Congested September With Returns and Tough Selection Calls

Recent recoveries expand the squad but the coach must manage heavy minutes and long-term absences to prioritise the Copa Sudamericana tie.

Overview

  • The sequence opens with the Copa Argentina round of 16 at Vélez on Wednesday, September 2, followed by Copa Sudamericana quarterfinal legs against São Paulo at La Bombonera on September 8 and at the Morumbí on September 15.
  • Leandro Paredes is fit to return to midfield and Leandro Lozano plus Marco Pellegrino are likely included for the trip to Córdoba, giving coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena more immediate options.
  • Arruabarrena faces a key attacking choice between Alan Velasco and Sebastián Villa that could change Boca’s shape from a 4-3-1-2 to a more traditional 4-3-3 and will influence who is rested in the packed schedule.
  • Several players remain sidelined for months, including Tomás Aranda with a fractured fibula and goalkeeper Agustín Marchesín recovering from ACL surgery, forcing deeper rotation and reliance on recently returned players.
  • If Boca advances in the Copa Argentina it could add a quarterfinal versus Racing around the weekend of September 27, which would further tighten travel and recovery windows and increase the need for planned minute management.