Instituto have more than points at stake v unbeaten Defensa | OneFootball

Instituto host Defensa y Justicia this Monday from 9:15 p.m. in Alta Córdoba with an urgent need to win.

Alta Córdoba will once again be Instituto’s barometer. This Monday night, the Córdoba side will face Defensa y Justicia in a match that goes beyond the numbers and cuts straight to the emotional core. La Gloria needs to turn signs into certainty and, above all, into points.

The team comes in with renewed spirits after advancing in the Copa Argentina, but the reality of the domestic tournament is forcing it to respond. Eleven points from 11 matches reflect an uneven campaign that is starting to cause concern. Not only because of the gap to the qualification spots, but also because of the pressure coming from below.

Instituto, between hope and obligation

The trip to La Bombonera left mixed feelings. The defeat to Boca was clear on the scoreboard, but not so much in the way the game unfolded. Instituto showed some promising stretches, competed well, and at times rose to the occasion. However, at this stage of the tournament, competing is no longer enough.

The challenge for Diego Flores’s side will be to sustain that intensity, but with one essential addition: efficiency. Good spells mean nothing if they do not translate into results. And at home, where the team has found support, the demand is even greater.

An opponent that does not forgive

Awaiting them will be one of the most solid teams in the tournament. Defensa y Justicia arrives unbeaten, with a consolidated structure and a clear identity. Their 19 points make them contenders and keep them within striking distance of the top.

Mariano Soso’s team does not usually give away advantages. It is dynamic, organized, and knows how to strike at the right moments. An uncomfortable opponent for anyone, and even more so for an Instituto side still searching for consistency.

Changes in the starting eleven

With this match in mind, Flores is considering adjustments. Alex Luna appears as a real option to return to the starting lineup, while Gastón Lodico could bolster the midfield to give the team greater control.

In goal, Manuel Roffo has a strong chance of returning after recovering from injury, in what would be one of the most significant changes from the last match.

A decisive stretch

The match against El Halcón will not be just another game. It marks the beginning of a demanding run that will continue with Riestra, Estudiantes, Newell’s, and the postponed match against Estudiantes de Río Cuarto. A tight schedule that leaves no room for error.

Instituto has reached the point in the tournament where it must define itself: keep showing flashes or start delivering for real. This Monday, against the only unbeaten team, it will have a real opportunity to change course and send a clear message.

Probable lineups for Instituto and Defensa

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