Central play in La Plata chasing points and a much-needed morale boost

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·25 February 2026

Central play in La Plata chasing points and a much-needed morale boost

The Canalla visits the Lobo this Wednesday at 17:00 for the seventh matchday, just four days before the duel against Newell’s at the Coloso. Fernando Echenique will officiate.

Central visits Gimnasia this Wednesday from 17:00 at the Juan Carmelo Zerillo stadium in La Plata, for the seventh matchday of the 2026 Apertura Tournament, but they are already starting to play the Rosario classic next Sunday against Newell’s at the Coloso Marcelo Bielsa.

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Although coach Jorge Almirón has not yet confirmed the lineup to face the Lobo, it is possible that he will not hesitate to rest some of the regular starters.

Beyond the classic, this afternoon's match is very important for the Canalla in terms of regaining ground in the standings and also confidence after losing at home against Talleres.

There are three important names that might miss the match against the Lobo: defenders Gastón Ávila and Agustín Sández, and central midfielder Franco Ibarra. The first two due to ongoing discomfort and the third because he has accumulated four yellow cards and, if he receives another in La Plata, he will be suspended for the classic.

The name that draws all the attention is undoubtedly Ángel Di María. The technical staff's idea is for him to get some minutes to stay in form, although it is not ruled out that he might be substituted in the second half if the match allows, giving other players a chance.

On the other hand, it has been confirmed that Marco Ruben is not part of the squad. As a result, a new window of speculation opens regarding the match against Newell’s.

It is worth remembering that Alejo Véliz and Enzo Copetti, two of the starting forwards, ended with some discomfort against Talleres at the Gigante. It is still undecided whether they will play minutes in the Bosque platense. And Fabricio Oviedo is even emerging as a possible starter.

Gimnasia is fourth in Zone B and remains undefeated in La Plata, so on paper, it will not be an easy match for the auriazul team, which seeks to add points to climb the standings and arrive with a morale boost to the city derby, after the defeat in Arroyito against Talleres.

At home, Fernando Zaniratto's team defeated Racing and Aldosivi, while drawing in the classic with Estudiantes. Additionally, they recently beat Gimnasia in Mendoza and have accumulated 10 points in the Apertura. The coach might repeat the lineup.

Probable lineups

Central: Jeremías Ledesma; Emanuel Coronel, Ignacio Ovando, Gastón Ávila, Alexis Soto; Federico Navarro, Vicente Pizarro; Enzo Giménez, Ángel Di María, Julián Fernández; Copetti or Oviedo. Coach: Jorge Almirón.

Gimnasia: Nelson Insfrán; Alexis Steimbach, Renzo Giampaoli, Enzo Martínez, Pedro Silva Torrejón; Ignacio Miramón, Augusto Max, Nicolás Barros Schelotto; Ignacio Fernández, Marcelo Torres, and Manuel Panaro. Coach: Fernando Zaniratto.