Independiente receives Lanús at the Libertadores de América-Ricardo Enrique Bochini Stadium with the mission of consolidating its recovery after achieving its first victory in the Apertura Tournament.Gustavo Quinteros’ team arrives strong after beating Platense and seeks to take another step in Zone A against an undefeated rival.
The emotional effect of the three points obtained last weekend was felt in Villa Domínico.The team worked with confidence and optimism, convinced that they can sustain the clean and jerk against a Garnet team that is coming off a great start to the championship.For this duel, Quinteros evaluates whether he makes any minimal adjustments to the formation, although he maintains the skeleton that worked on the previous date.
In the last line, Rodrigo Rey stands firm in the goal after two outstanding performances against Vélez and Platense.The defense would have Leonardo Godoy on the right, Kevin Lomónaco as the first center back – recovered after a muscle discomfort -, the return of Sebastián Valdéz instead of Juan ManuelFedorco, and Facundo Zabala on the left back.In midfield, the coach will bet on Iván Marcone, but there are unknowns about who will accompany him: Lautaro Millán, Ignacio Malcorra and Lautaro Cabral are fighting for two positions.Above, the reference will be Gabriel Ávalos, with Santiago Montiel and Matías Abaldo at the ends.
Independiente achieved its first victory of the competition after beating Platense 1-0 as a visitor.The team, which had not won since the start of the tournament, had tied its three previous appearances against Estudiantes de La Plata, Newell’s and Vélez.With these results he has six points and is placed seventh in the table, in the classification zone, although with little margin for error.
Individually, Kevin Lomónaco was in the news during the week, both for his physical recovery and for his contractual situation.The defender, wanted by Atlético Mineiro, trained alongside the group and will be available to receive Granate.Regarding his future, the defender expressed: “The love of the people fills my soul. If there is not something that convinces me and that is good for my future, I will continue at Independiente. I know the kind of institution I am in and I try to return the affection on the field.”
On the visiting side, Lanús arrives as the runner-up with eight points and an undefeated record.The team led by Mauricio Pellegrino, recent champion of the CopaSudamericana, equalized on the last day against Talleres thanks to a goal from Dylan Aquino.El Granate has two wins and two draws, with eight goals for and six against, and is only surpassed by Vélez in Zone A.
Lanús’s current situation is marked by double competition, since next Thursday they will play the first leg of the Recopa Sudamericana against Flamengo.Therefore, Pellegrino could use a partial rotation to preserve players for the trip to Brazil.The club also organized flights and buses for the fans to accompany the team in the return duel in Rio de Janeiro.
The referee’s appointment adds a special spice.Facundo Tello will be the main judge, accompanied by Pablo González, Agustín Méndez, Lucas Comesaña as fourth referee, José Carreras in the VAR and Javier Uziga as AVAR.Tello coached Lanús 25 times, with a balance of 8 wins, 6 draws and 11 losses for the club from southern Buenos Aires, in addition to six expulsions.The last precedent was the 2-1 loss against Banfield.
In the table, Lanús is second with eight points, while Independiente is seventh with six.Both teams are within the classification lot, but the difference between first and eighth is only four units, which reflects the parity of the area.
The probable formations present certainties and some unknowns.InIndependiente, the main doubt is the presence of Lomónaco or Fedorco in the defense.In Lanús, the eleven will depend on the degree of rotation decided by the coaching staff, although a competitive team is emerging despite the proximity of international commitment.
Independent: Rodrigo Rey;Leonardo Godoy, Kevin Lomónaco or Juan ManuelFedorco, Sebastián Valdéz, Facundo Zabala;Iván Marcone, Lautaro Millán;Santiago Montiel, Ignacio Malcorra, Matías Abaldo;Gabriel Avalos.DT: Gustavo Quinteros.
Lanús: Nahuel Losada;Tomás Guidara, Carlos Izquierdoz, José Canale, SashaMarcich;Agustín Medina, Agustín Cardozo;Eduardo Salvio, Marcelino Moreno, Ramiro Carrera;Rodrigo Castillo.DT: Mauricio Pellegrino.
Stadium: Libertadores de América-Ricardo Enrique Bochini (Avellaneda)
Referee: Facundo Tello / VAR: José Carreras
Time: 20.00
Television: ESPN Premium
