Boca Juniors Benches Paredes for Vasco Semifinal Clash

Boca Juniors will begin its Copa Sudamericana 2026 semifinal second leg against Vasco da Gama without Leandro Paredes in the starting lineup on October 20 at Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. The Argentine midfielder remains in recovery from a grade 2 injury to his right hamstring, prompting coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena to keep him on the bench despite his recent progress in training. According to Sporting News, Paredes sustained the injury during Boca Juniors' 2-2 draw against Instituto on October 9 in the Argentine league.

The problem occurred shortly after he entered the match as a second-half substitute, forcing him to leave the field. A grade 2 hamstring injury typically requires four to six weeks of recovery, depending on the severity and the player's response to treatment. Paredes has shown positive progress and returned to ball work before the semifinal, but the limited time since his injury has not been sufficient for him to regain full fitness for a starting role.

The midfielder also underwent platelet-rich plasma treatment, which uses components derived from the patient's own blood, as part of his recovery process. Despite these measures and his improved condition, Boca's coaching staff opted against starting him in the decisive match.

Paredes remains available as a substitute, and his potential involvement during the second half will depend on his physical condition and the team's needs during the game. His availability gives Arruabarrena another option in midfield if Boca requires additional passing quality and control in its attacking build-up. Boca Juniors enters the second leg needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first meeting at La Bombonera. Paredes' ability to organize midfield play and distribute passes could be valuable as the Argentine side seeks to recover from the first-leg defeat and secure a place in the continental final.

The return semifinal is scheduled for October 20, 2026, at 9:30 p.m. Brasília time at Maracana in Rio de Janeiro. The match is listed for broadcast on SBT and streaming platform Paramount+.