El Rojo faces the Railroader and pushes to extend his run in the country’s most prestigious domestic cup.
Independent and Central Córdoba will close the Round of 16 of the Argentine Cup when they clash at the Mario Alberto Kempes Stadium in Córdoba on Tuesday night, August 15, kicking off at 9:30 p.m. local time. The clash marks a critical moment for both teams as they seek momentum in the early stages of the second half of the season, with each side aiming to climb higher in the Argentina annual table and build confidence for the looming fixtures.
The King of Cups is intent on starting the latter portion of the year with a strong result, hoping to use this match as a stepping stone toward more consistent performances as the season progresses.
CALLED INDEPENDENT
After beginning the transfer window without new additions, Ricardo Zielinski has completed four signings: Federico Mancuello, Felipe Aguilar, Alexis Canelo, and Mauricio Islas. Depending on how each player adapts and evolves, the coach will determine their availability for the match and whether they will be included in the starting lineup or kept on the bench. The new arrivals bring varied profiles and potential to upgrade different areas of the squad, giving Zielinski tactical flexibility going into the knockouts.
Meanwhile, Lucas “Saltita” Gonzalez has returned from his loan spell at Santos Laguna in Mexico, and his potential impact is already sparking excitement. It remains to be seen whether he will earn a starting role or contribute as a valuable option off the bench as the team finalizes its tactical plan for the evening.
INDEPENDENT’S TRAINING
During Friday and Saturday practices, the team boss set the formation in a 4-3-3 arrangement with the same personnel as a baseline. At this stage, the most likely starter to make his mark is Saltita González, though Mauricio Islas’ fitness status surprised observers, offering him a real chance to claim a place among the XI. The coaching staff is weighing these elements as they prepare for the knockout tie, balancing freshness, cohesion, and experience against a demanding opponent.
The probable starting XI is as follows: Rodrigo Rey; Patricio Otachuk, Javier Báez, Edgar Elizalde, Ayrton Costa; Sergio Ortiz, Iván Marcone, Lucas González; Braian Martínez, Martín Cauteruccio, Matías Giménez.
ALTERNATIVE
To decide.