Boca Juniors readies lineup for Copa Sudamericana playoff at home against O'Higgins

Boca Juniors will host O'Higgins of Chile in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana playoffs on Thursday, 23 July, at 21:30 local time in La Bombonera. Coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena is expected to start midfielder Leandro Paredes, who returned from the World Cup despite a rib fracture, partnering with Milton Delgado in a double pivot.

Injury updates have forced several changes: defender Carlos Palacios, full‑back Leandro Lozano and forward Leandro Lozano are out, while Leandro Lozano’s muscle strain also sidelines him. Youth defender Dylan Gorosito is likely to replace Lozano on the right flank. New signings Álvaro Montero (goalkeeper), Sebastián Villa and the Colombian midfielder Álvaro Montero are in contention for starting roles, and recent arrivals such as Sebastián Villa have been listed in the squad.

Arruabarrena also omitted Santiago Ascacíbar from the starting eleven, favouring a more attacking midfield set‑up. The official good‑faith roster for the competition includes 48 players, with eight new entrants – Leandro Lozano, Álvaro Montero, Sebastián Villa and several youth prospects – and several players excluded due to injuries or tactical decisions.

O'Higgins travel to Buenos Aires after a strong domestic run, having reached the Chilean Cup final and currently sit mid‑table in the Primera División. The match will determine which side advances to the round of 16.