Rio de Janeiro’s Ninho do Urubu became the setting for Boca Juniors’ late selection intrigue on Monday, as Leandro Paredes returned to training ahead of Tuesday’s Copa Sudamericana semi-final second leg against Vasco.
Boca’s key figure back in the frame
Paredes joined the squad session at Flamengo’s training complex after travelling to Brazil with the Boca delegation, raising the prospect of an unexpectedly swift return from a right-hamstring injury.
- The 32-year-old sustained a grade-two injury to the back of his right thigh on 9 October, during Boca’s 2-2 Argentine championship draw with Instituto.
- He was initially expected to miss both semi-final matches against Vasco.
- Paredes did not feature when Vasco won the first leg 1-0 at La Bombonera on 13 October.
- He also sat out Boca’s 2-1 home victory over Talleres three days later.
- Training footage from Rio showed him jumping and completing movements without obvious restriction.
Boca’s release added a distinctly local soundtrack to the footage: “O Show Tem Que Continuar” — “The Show Must Go On” — a song associated with Revelação and written by the celebrated samba group Fundo de Quintal. The choice only added to the expectation around Paredes’ possible involvement.
Arruabarrena weighs the injury risk
Coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena stopped short of confirming Paredes for the return fixture, but made clear that the midfielder’s recovery has progressed faster than anticipated.
“Lea is working almost with the group,” Arruabarrena said. “The schedule is obviously not what I first expected. He is well, and we will use the remaining hours to decide how to set up the team. He wants to play, but there is a risk. We will know soon.”
The decision carries substantial importance for Boca, whose first-leg defeat in Buenos Aires left them needing to overturn the tie away from home.
Vasco hold the semi-final advantage
Vasco arrive for the Rio meeting with a one-goal cushion from the opening match and require only a draw to reach the Copa Sudamericana final. Boca, meanwhile, must decide whether to expose Paredes to a possible setback in pursuit of a place in the competition’s showpiece.
