Boca Arrives in Rio With 33 Players and Dreams of Reaching the Final in Barranquilla
Boca Juniors has arrived in Rio de Janeiro with 33 players ahead of its Copa Sudamericana semifinal against Vasco da Gama. Leandro Paredes, Sebastián Villa, and Alan Velasco trained normally before the decisive clash.
The Boca squad was welcomed by a massive crowd in Barra da Tijuca and completed its final training session at Flamengo's training complex. Leandro Paredes, Sebastián Villa, and Alan Velasco all trained with the rest of the squad.
Boca Juniors has arrived in Rio de Janeiro for the most important match of its season. The team managed by Rodolfo "Vasco" Arruabarrena will face Vasco da Gama this Tuesday at 9:30 PM at the Maracanã in the second leg of the Copa Sudamericana semifinals, with beIN SPORTS USA bringing you coverage directly from the stadium.
Boca must overturn the 1-0 defeat suffered at La Bombonera to secure a place in the final on Saturday, November 21, in Barranquilla, Colombia. Awaiting there will be the winner of the series between Atlético Mineiro and Montevideo City Torque, after the Brazilian side secured a commanding 3-0 victory in the first leg.
A Massive Crowd Welcomes Boca in Barra da Tijuca
The delegation arrived in Rio on Sunday afternoon and checked into the Windsor Barra Hotel at around 7:00 PM. As is often the case during international trips, a large crowd of supporters gathered to welcome the squad, take pictures, and show their support for the players.
Leandro Paredes and Miguel Merentiel were among the most sought-after players.
Arruabarrena decided to bring all 33 members of the squad, including Agustín Marchesín, Adam Bareiro, Tomás Belmonte, and Tomás Aranda, who are still recovering from various injuries and will not be available for the match.
Club president Juan Román Riquelme also traveled with the delegation, as he usually does.
Final Training Session at Ninho do Urubu
On Monday morning, Boca trained at Ninho do Urubu, Flamengo's modern training facility. The session was crucial in assessing the three players whose fitness had been in doubt: Paredes, Sebastián Villa, and Alan Velasco.
All three completed the session normally alongside their teammates. Villa has recovered from the sprain he suffered in the first leg, while Velasco has made progress following the left adductor tear that had kept him out of action.
The biggest question surrounds Paredes.
The captain suffered a grade-two tear in his right hamstring against Instituto de Córdoba. He had entered the match in the second half but was forced to leave just 16 minutes later after feeling a sharp pain that immediately raised concerns.
Medical examinations confirmed the injury the following day, seemingly ruling him out of the entire semifinal series. However, the World Cup winner accelerated his recovery and returned to full team training.
"He always wants to play, and it's difficult for us to tell him no. But I'll speak with the medical staff and with him afterward," Arruabarrena explained.
Paredes will be available for selection. The remaining decision is whether he will start the match or wait for his opportunity on the bench.
Boca has arrived in Rio accompanied by its passionate supporters, with the entire squad united behind one clear mission: overturn the deficit at the Maracanã and travel to Barranquilla in pursuit of "La Gran Conquista."
