Boca Juniors Names Starting XI for Vasco da Gama Semifinal

Boca Juniors will attempt to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Vasco da Gama in the Copa Sudamericana semifinals at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium on Tuesday, October 20. Coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena has selected a starting lineup that leaves captain Leandro Paredes on the bench as the Argentine club seeks a place in the final. According to lineup reports published by TyC Sports and Ole on October 20, Rodrigo Battaglia will anchor Boca's midfield, while Sebastian Villa returns to the starting attack.

Paredes, who recently recovered from a grade-two tear in his right hamstring, is available but is expected to enter during the second half. Boca must win by at least one goal to force a penalty shootout, having lost the opening leg at La Bombonera. Vasco, meanwhile, can advance with a draw after Adson scored the decisive goal in Buenos Aires.

Arruabarrena acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his captain's fitness before confirming the final selection. Paredes had resumed training with the group, but his limited recovery time remained a concern.

"Lea is training almost at the same level as the group. Obviously, the recovery timeline is not what I initially expected. He's doing well, and we'll see over these remaining hours how we line up.

He wants to play, but there is a risk; we'll see," said Arruabarrena, according to TyC Sports. The coach is turning to Battaglia after the midfielder completed 90 minutes against Talleres de Córdoba on Friday. Battaglia had returned to competitive action following nearly a year away because of Achilles tendon surgery, and his performance strengthened his case for another start.

Boca defeated Talleres 2-1 in the Argentine Torneo Clausura, a result that reinforced the team's domestic form. Miguel Merentiel scored in that match and is expected to lead the attack alongside Leonel Flores, with Villa completing the front three. Arruabarrena also stressed the importance of keeping the tie competitive until the final whistle. Boca has struggled in Brazil, where the club has gone 11 matches without a victory, according to the Express News report published October 19.

"We have to make sure we stay in the game. We need to reach the 90th minute with a chance or with the lead," said Arruabarrena over the weekend. Merentiel expressed confidence in Boca's preparation for the decisive match.

The Uruguayan forward has scored 14 goals in 2026 and 64 goals overall for the Argentine club, according to the same report. "It's an early final. We feel good as a team, and we're going all out to win," said Merentiel.

Vasco enters the second leg after rotating several starters during its domestic schedule. The Brazilian side lost 1-0 to Sao Paulo, leaving it 15th in the Brasileirao, but will seek to preserve its advantage after surviving the first-leg dismissal of Carlos Andres Gomez.

Vasco captain Thiago Mendes acknowledged the demands of the semifinal while emphasizing the team's immediate objective. "We have players who are tired after playing in Argentina with one man down, but we don't have time to feel sorry for ourselves. We have an important match coming up, and we have to qualify," said Mendes.

The match will take place at the Maracana because Vasco's Sao Januario stadium does not meet CONMEBOL requirements. Boca's projected starting lineup is Alvaro Montero; Leandro Lozano, Lautaro Di Lollo, Facundo Herrera, Lautaro Blanco; Santiago Ascacibar, Rodrigo Battaglia, Milton Delgado; Sebastian Villa, Miguel Merentiel and Leonel Flores.