River Plate’s Scocco to miss second leg of Copa Libertadores final vs Boca

River Plate said Wednesday that forward Ignacio Scocco, who was expected to be a starter, has suffered a leg injury and will miss the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final against bitter rival Boca Juniors.

“(Medical report) Ignacio Scocco: right calf muscle injury,” River Plate said in a Twitter post.

Buenos Aires clubs River Plate and Boca Juniors will square off for the title in South America’s premier club competition on Saturday at Monumental Stadium, having played to a 2-2 tie in the first leg of the series.

Scocco was projected to be in the starting 11 due to the suspension for accumulation of yellow cards of Colombian forward Rafael Borre, who had been in the front line of River’s attack along with Lucas Pratto in the first leg.

The former Newell’s Old Boys forward also missed the first leg of the final against Boca Juniors due to an injury.

The 33-year-old Scocco had been doing rehab work in recent days in a bid to recover in time for the second leg.

Scocco’s injury opens the door into the starting lineup for Uruguayan forward Rodrigo Mora.

Another option for River Plate - and the most probable - is to use a formation consisting of Pratto up front and five midfielders behind him.

In that case, River’s lineup against Boca Juniors would be the following: goalkeeper Franco Armani; defenders Gonzalo Montiel, Jonatan Maidana, Javier Pinola, Milton Casco; midfielders Ignacio Fernandez, Exequiel Palacios, Leonardo Ponzio, Enzo Perez, Gonzalo Martinez; and forward Lucas Pratto.