Independiente faces a challenging stretch as the season advances. Six winless results have put pressure on the Reds, and ahead of the clash with Colón, two veteran pillars have already departed the squad due to injuries or form concerns. The campaign began with a victory that opened the 2023 Professional League, but that early optimism now seems distant as the next six fixtures yielded limited results. Club leadership has come under scrutiny, and the coach guiding this cycle faces intense examination as the calendar moves forward. Even President Fabián Doman acknowledged that the outcome of Saturday’s game would heavily influence the trajectory of the coaching project.
Following a 1-1 draw with Barracas Central, Independiente prepares to host Colón at the Libertadores de América – Ricardo Bochini, with kickoff scheduled for Saturday, March 18 at 19:00. The match weighs particularly on Leandro Stillitano as he confronts a Colón side positioned near the relegation zone and still seeking their first win of the campaign. This moment tests the manager’s plan and the squad’s ability to respond under pressure.
A setback on the training ground deepens concerns. Young talent Thomas Pozo suffered a serious left knee injury during a drill, diagnosed as an anterior cruciate ligament rupture. The injury sidelines him for an extended period and deprives Avellaneda’s squad of one of its brightest prospects. Five days later, Rodrigo Márquez sustained an ACL injury to the same knee. Márquez has already undergone surgery, and Chila is expected to follow with an operation soon. The team must cope with back-to-back absences of promising forwards as they strive to climb the table.
Captain Sergio Barreto will miss the upcoming match due to a suspension from a red card against Barracas. Iván Marcone will not receive the planned intramuscular injection for his pubalgia, though he remains far from full fitness and is a doubt for selection. Edgar Elizalde remains sidelined as well, needing several weeks to recover after arthroscopy performed in mid-February following a meniscus injury against Vélez.
THE TRAINING OF INDEPENDENT
Stillitano recognizes that the clash with Colón could define the early phase of his project. He plans to spend the week weighing how to balance risk with attacking intent on the field. The strategy centers on a 4-2-3-1 formation with fluid adaptations that can shift to a 4-2-4 when the moment demands. The anchor formation remains non-negotiable: Luciano Gómez returns at right-back, Javier Báez starts in place of the suspended Barreto in defense, and Augustine Mulet assumes a central midfield role previously held by Marcone. Kevin López steps forward to shoulder similar responsibilities in the engine room.
Projected lineup: Rodrigo Rey; Luciano Gómez, Joaquín Laso, Javier Báez, Ayrton Costa; Sergio Ortiz, Agustín Mulet; Baltasar Barcia, Nicolás Vallejo, Matías Giménez; Martín Cauteruccio.
INDEPENDENT REPLACEMENTS
Possible substitutes include Segovia, Pérez, Da Rosa, González, López, Cazares, Sarrafiore, Rambert, Marcone, Hidalgo, and Martínez. These options offer a blend of fresh energy and experience to refresh the squad as the match unfolds.
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Note: data reflected from fan polls and match analyses at the time of publication. This article is compiled from game reports and official squad updates reported by sports outlets and trusted analysts. The figures and names are presented for context and should be interpreted as indicative rather than definitive projections.