Instituto have more at stake v unbeaten Defensa y Justicia | OneFootball

Instituto hosts 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 statistics and straight into the emotional realm. La Gloria needs to turn signs into certainties and, above all, into points.

The team arrives with renewed spirits after advancing in the Copa Argentina, but the reality of the local tournament is forcing it to react. Eleven points in 11 matches reflect an uneven campaign that is starting to become uncomfortable. 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 against Boca was clear on the scoreboard, but not so much in the way the game unfolded. Instituto showed some promising stretches, competed, and at times rose to the occasion. However, at this stage of the championship, competing is no longer enough.

The challenge for Diego Flores’ side will be to maintain that intensity, but with one essential addition: efficiency. Good stretches are pointless 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

Across from them will be one of the tournament’s most solid teams. Defensa y Justicia arrives unbeaten, with a well-established structure and a clear identity. Its 19 points place it among the contenders and within striking distance of the top.

Mariano Soso’s team rarely gives 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 lineup

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 strengthen the midfield to give the team greater control.

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

A decisive stretch

The match against El Halcón will not be just another one. It marks the start 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 is at that point in the tournament where it must define itself: keep hinting at its potential or start confirming it. 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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