Boca Juniors will face another demanding test in the middle of a packed schedule. Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s team will visit Gimnasia y Esgrima de Mendoza on Saturday, September 5, at 4:30 p.m. local time in Matchday 8 of Zone A of the 2026 Torneo Clausura. The game will be played at Estadio Víctor Antonio Legrotaglie, only three days after Boca secured a place in the Copa Argentina quarterfinals.
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Arruabarrena manages workload: Paredes could be rested against Gimnasia de Mendoza
With Leandro Paredes in doubt and São Paulo looming, Rodolfo Arruabarrena could make changes to his Boca Juniors side for the visit to Gimnasia de Mendoza in the 2026 Torneo Clausura.
Paredes could be ruled out for Saturday
The main concern for Boca Juniors is Leandro Paredes’ fitness. The midfielder left the field late in Boca’s 0-0 draw with Vélez, a match the Xeneize eventually won 4-3 on penalties, after feeling discomfort in his left hamstring. According to Argentine media, the issue would be a contracture and, for now, further medical tests are not expected.
Paredes is expected to remain with the squad but could be rested against Gimnasia de Mendoza as a precaution. The decision would be aimed at avoiding unnecessary risk before Boca hosts São Paulo on Tuesday, September 8, in the first leg of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana quarterfinals at La Bombonera. After the match against Vélez, Rodolfo Arruabarrena said his captain felt some discomfort and asked to come off before the problem worsened.
Rotation shaped by Boca’s schedule
Paredes is not the only absence Arruabarrena must manage. Milton Delgado could also miss the trip after suffering a hamstring strain before the Copa Argentina match. With two games arriving in quick succession before the continental quarterfinal, Boca’s coaching staff is assessing changes across the lineup.
Argentine media have reported that Arruabarrena is preparing several changes for the trip to Mendoza. Enner Valencia is among the options mentioned and could make his first start for Boca if Miguel Merentiel is rested. However, Boca has not officially confirmed its starting XI.
Gimnasia presents a serious challenge
The trip to Mendoza is also difficult on sporting merit. Gimnasia de Mendoza has collected 15 points from seven Clausura matches, winning five and losing two. Darío Franco’s team sits second in Zone A, one point behind Instituto, and enters the weekend after an impressive 3-0 away victory over Independiente.
Boca has 10 points from seven league games and most recently defeated Lanús 1-0 in the Clausura before eliminating Vélez in the Copa Argentina. With São Paulo waiting only three days later, Arruabarrena’s task is to protect key players while keeping Boca competitive against one of Zone A’s strongest teams.
