Boca Juniors have arrived in Rio de Janeiro with their continental tie against Vasco hanging in the balance and a night at the Maracanã demanding a response. Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side must overturn the first-leg deficit, with at least one goal required to take the contest to penalties.
Confidence carried from Córdoba
The trip north comes after a 2-1 Clausura victory over Talleres de Córdoba, a result that reinforced Boca’s strong domestic run. The Buenos Aires club currently lead the annual table and will hope that momentum travels with them across the border for the second leg.
There is also encouragement in the travelling squad. Captain Leandro Paredes has been included after his recent absence, while Alan Velasco and Sebastián Villa have returned to full training and give Arruabarrena extra possibilities in the final third.
- Boca beat Talleres 2-1 in their latest Clausura fixture.
- The club sit first in the annual domestic standings.
- Paredes is available in the squad for the Maracanã match.
- Velasco and Villa have rejoined full team training.
- Boca need a goal at minimum to extend the tie to a penalty shoot-out.
Paredes decision shapes the midfield
The principal selection question concerns Paredes and whether the captain is ready to begin the match. Should he not start, Rodrigo Battaglia appears to have moved ahead in the race for the midfield role.
Williams Alarcón filled in during the first leg but did not meet expectations and was not used in the win over Talleres. Battaglia instead completed the full 90 minutes against the Córdoba side, his first complete match in ten months, and his performance pleased the Boca coach.
Arruabarrena must nevertheless weigh the physical cost of asking Battaglia to negotiate two demanding games inside five days after such a lengthy spell without completing a match. Even so, he is the leading alternative if Paredes is held back.
A settled defence and more attacking choices
At the back, Facundo Herrera is expected to retain his place in the starting side. Ayrton Costa made a strong impression against Talleres, but Arruabarrena’s confidence remains with the younger Herrera.
The forward line offers more room for adjustment. Miguel Merentiel should return after being surprisingly left out for Enner Valencia in the opening meeting. The Uruguayan strengthened his case by scoring against Talleres and is set to play alongside Leo Flores.
The remaining attacking berth is still open, though Villa is presently the frontrunner after recovering from the ankle sprain sustained in the first leg. Velasco had occupied that position before his injury, while Ángel Romero started against Talleres. The Chilean Palacios is another available option.
- Facundo Herrera is likely to continue in defence despite Costa’s display against Talleres.
- Merentiel is expected to reclaim his place after Valencia started the first leg.
- Leo Flores is expected to partner Merentiel in attack.
- Villa, Velasco, Romero and Palacios provide options for the final forward position.
For Boca, the Maracanã assignment is less about experimentation than finding the right balance between returning players and those who have carried the side through recent weeks. The domestic table may offer reassurance, but Rio presents a different test: a final 90 minutes in which the visitors must turn pressure into goals.
