Santiago Sosa is set for a meaningful return to La Bombonera. The Argentine midfielder, a product of the Club Atlético River Plate academy, will play there on Tuesday in the Copa Sudamericana semifinal first leg wearing the shirt of Brazil's Vasco da Gama against his former club's biggest rival, Boca Juniors.

Sosa joined Vasco from Racing Club in August and, in less than two months, became a key player. He debuted after only four or five training sessions and in his first ten Brasileirão matches recorded 47 duels won, 44 clearances, 24 interceptions and 19 tackles, with an 83% pass accuracy. His rapid adaptation at a team fighting relegation earned him the nickname 'Pitbull da Colina' from Vasco fans.

River Plate connection and extra motivation

The match carries an added personal layer for Sosa. He is a graduate of River Plate's youth system and was part of the squad that won the Copa Libertadores in 2018. Also, his Vasco teammate Facundo Colidio -also a River Plate supporter- is ineligible to play due to registration issues, something Sosa knows adds expectation. "Today I was close to scoring my first goal, but unfortunately it didn't happen," the player said. "I hope it comes against Boca, it would be very nice."

His mindset for the tie is clear. "We are going to do strong defensive work in the first leg," stated Sosa, who also praised the influence of Leandro Paredes in the Boca team. The 27-year-old midfielder, who can operate as a central midfielder or drop back to form a three-man defensive line, hopes the second leg in Brazil is played on natural grass.

River Plate's current context

While his former teammate faces Boca on the continental stage, River Plate is handling its own Liga Profesional campaign. The team from Núñez sits ninth with 16 points from 11 games, on a recent run of four wins and just one defeat in their last five outings. Their next challenge is a tricky visit to fourth-placed Sarmiento de Junín this Wednesday.

For Vasco, the Copa Sudamericana is a priority, but they also remain in the Copa do Brasil, where they are among the final four and will face Palmeiras for a place in the final. Sosa, a Sudamericana champion with Racing in 2024, now aims to eliminate Boca with his new team. The clash at La Bombonera will be his first experience at the historic stadium not wearing a River Plate or Racing shirt, closing a personal chapter that began in the Millonario's youth ranks.

More detail at La Nacion AR Deportes