Boca Rests Paredes, Eyes on Copa Sudamericana After Injury Scare Against Velez

Penalties were just around the corner and Rodolfo Arruabarrena wasn't willing to gamble. With Velez pushing hard late in the Copa Argentina clash, Boca's manager saw Leandro Paredes grab at his leg and didn't hesitate: he pulled him off in the 42nd minute of the second half. The team went on to advance, but the captain's exit left a lingering concern heading into the next stretch of games.

The issue, as it emerged, is believed to be a strain in his left hamstring. It doesn't appear to be serious, and there's reportedly no need for further testing, but given the schedule Boca has ahead, taking any risk isn't an option. The midfielder has been logging heavy minutes game after game, and sooner or later the body demands a break.

Rotating with the Sudamericana in mind

Boca's current outlook has two clear fronts. This Saturday the team travels to face Gimnasia y Esgrima de Mendoza in the Torneo Clausura, and just three days later, on Tuesday, it hosts Sao Paulo at La Bombonera in the Copa Sudamericana quarterfinals. That's where the priority lies, and Arruabarrena knows it.

That's why the coach's plan is straightforward: give Paredes a rest against the Mendoza side. The captain wouldn't see any minutes, but he would still travel with the squad and stay with the group, sticking with his teammates even if he doesn't take the field. Arruabarrena will use the hours before the trip to finalize how the rest of the squad is holding up physically, since several players are also nearing their limit.

In his press conference after the win over Velez, the coach was candid about how demanding this stretch of the season has been:

We have a very packed month of games, we need to stay solid. From pushing forward so much, afterward we have to cover the spaces well and we suffered through that chance at the end. We need to defend better, because we get forward plenty. We had a tough opponent, one that's fighting near the top of the Clausura, and we're looking to field our best team against Gimnasia in Mendoza, with an eye on what comes next.Rodolfo Arruabarrena

Asked specifically about his captain's condition, Arruabarrena played down any alarm but acknowledged the wear and tear across the squad:

Paredes felt something coming on. He's smart, he signaled it and came off, but it's nothing serious. He covered a lot of ground, he's carrying a heavy load of games like most of the team, and it's tough. Some guys haven't had anyone to relieve them, they keep playing.Rodolfo Arruabarrena

That comment sums up Boca's situation pretty well: a squad short on depth, a calendar that offers no breathing room, and a decision that looks more like a necessity than a tactical choice. Resting Paredes now could make the difference in having him at full strength when Sao Paulo comes to town, the real test of the week.