Ahead of the FIFA window, Gallardo named several Atlético Mineiro players, even though the club had asked to keep them at home.
Boca, fresh off the 2026 league crown, will meet Atlético Mineiro in the Sudamericana final, a tie now tilted by Gallardo’s Ecuador call‑up list.
The coach tried to block the call‑up, but the request was denied, forcing the inclusion of Alan Minda, Angelo Preciado and Alan Franco. In my view, this shift favors Boca.
If they play in the friendlies, Minda and Preciado will arrive at the November 21 final with barely any rest, as Gallardo’s side faces Mirassol on Saturday the 14th. Gallardo’s squad also meets Costa Rica on Friday the 13th in Quito and wraps up against Bolivia on Tuesday the 17th in Guayaquil.
Domíquez’s side also got a lift from Colombia; Néstor Lorenzo chose not to call up any players from the two clubs still in the international tournament, leaving Álvaro Montero for Boca and Kevin Castaño for Gallardo’s side.