With Malcorra starting, the Reds aim to qualify at Nuevo Gasómetro | OneFootball

Independiente has a true final ahead. This Saturday, Gustavo Quinteros's team visits San Lorenzo with one sole objective: sealing qualification for the Apertura round of 16. For this key clash, the coach gets back one of his top men: Ignacio Malcorra. The midfielder has put the pain in his left ankle behind him and, after training alongside the group, will regain his place in the starting eleven.

Malcorra’s return forces Quinteros to decide who comes out of the team, with one doubt that will remain until the last moment: Maxi Gutiérrez or Santiago Montiel. In addition, El Rojo will have a forced absence at left back, since Facundo Zabala reached the yellow-card limit and his place will be taken by Milton Valenzuela.

The likely starting eleven for the match at the Nuevo Gasómetro: Rodrigo Rey; Santiago Arias, Kevin Lomónaco, Sebastián Valdéz, Milton Valenzuela; Mateo Pérez Cursi, Iván Marcone; Santiago Montiel or Gutiérrez, Ignacio Malcorra, Matías Abaldo; Gabriel Ávalos.

As for the qualification scenarios, the picture is clear: if Independiente wins, it’s in. With a draw, it also has a very good chance, since it would only be eliminated if Defensa y Justicia thrashes Gimnasia de Mendoza by a margin of five goals or more. A Saturday of major decisions is coming up in Avellaneda.

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