Al Rojo left the last clash with La Plata even and now faces a crucial test in Avellaneda against Lepra to regain the momentum.
Independent slipped two valuable points and missed a prime opportunity to secure another victory away from home after the draw with Gimnasia last Friday. The team carried a man advantage late, but the Russian Zielinski side could not finish the match with a win, leaving Avellaneda with just one victory recorded this year and unable to shake off the persistent slump.
Consequently, securing a victory at home becomes essential to finally escape the relegation zone. The next challenge arrives quickly: Newell’s visits on Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the Libertadores de América stadium.
THE CALLED INDEPENDENT
Traveling to La Plata brought disappointing news for coach Ricardo Zielinski as Sergio Ortiz will be unavailable due to accumulating five yellow cards. Ortiz had been a consistent starter, but he will miss the match against Lepra just as Martin Sarrafiore was sidelined for the same disciplinary reason.
That development represents the main alteration in the roster that remained focused on Monday after training in Villa Domínico.
THE TRAINING OF INDEPENDENT
With limited time to prepare, Sunday’s session helped the Russian coach confirm the lineup that delivered the best results: a 4-4-2 formation after experimenting with five midfielders and only one striker, Cauteruccio. The returning players are Matías Giménez and Martín Sarrafiore, coming in for Ortiz and Kevin López.
The confirmed eleven reads as follows: Rodrigo Rey; Luciano Gómez, Javier Baez, Edgar Elizalde, Ayrton Costa; Mateo Baltasar Barcia, Iván Marcone, Martín Sarrafiore, Braian Martínez; Matías Giménez Rojas, Martín Cauteruccio.
ALTERNATIVE
To confirm.