Big blow for Unión: Estigarribia misses an early final | OneFootball

Unión faces a decisive week with a significant absence arriving at the worst possible time. Leonardo Madelón’s team, coming off two straight defeats and now further from the qualification zone, will be without Marcelo Estigarribia for the key clash next Monday, April 27, at 6:45 p.m., in Matchday 16 of Zone A of the Liga Profesional Apertura Tournament.

The forward reached the limit of five yellow cards and will have to serve a one-match suspension, just when he was enjoying his best spell in the red-and-white shirt. Estigarribia was coming off three consecutive goals and had become the team’s main attacking reference point in this stretch of the tournament.

An absence that hits Unión at exactly the wrong time

Estigarribia’s absence not only means a loss of goals, but also of attacking presence for a team that urgently needs to respond. Unión knows the margin for error is getting smaller and smaller, and that Monday’s match could mark a before and after in its bid to reach the next stage.

In this context, Madelón will have to reshape the attack, and all eyes are on two names: Agustín Colazo and Diego Armando Díaz. Between them, in principle, will come the natural replacement for the Paraguayan, although some tactical adjustment that changes the system is not ruled out.

A more distant alternative would be to push Franco Fragapane forward as the attacking reference, although for now that option does not seem to be gaining much ground in the coach’s thinking.

Questions in midfield and defense as well

Beyond replacing Estigarribia, it would not be surprising if Madelón makes changes in other areas as well, especially considering the poor defensive level the team has shown in recent matches. In that regard, there is a chance Valentín Fascendini could come in for Maizon Rodríguez in search of greater solidity at the back.

Meanwhile, another question mark has opened up in midfield. Brahian Cuello came off at halftime in the last match due to a physical issue, and his presence is not guaranteed. If he is unable to make it, the coach will have to choose between Nicolás Palavecino, Augusto Solari, or Fragapane himself to fill that spot.

Added to this situation is the confirmed absence of Misael Aguirre, who has been ruled out with the serious ankle injury he suffered in one of the week’s training sessions.

Unión facing a make-or-break test

With this scenario, Unión is preparing for a decisive match, affected by absences and by the urgent need to start picking up points again. The team let important opportunities slip away and is now forced to react if it wants to keep realistic hopes of qualification alive.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.