With Unión watching: Rivadavia aim to stun Fluminense, eye progress | OneFootball

Independiente Rivadavia, Unión’s opponent in the Apertura playoffs, will host Fluminense at 9:30 p.m. in the Copa Libertadores.

The schedule offers no respite, and Independiente Rivadavia knows it. Before hosting Unión in the round of 16 of the Apertura Tournament, the Mendoza-based Lepra will face a decisive Copa Libertadores clash this Wednesday, against none other than Fluminense.

The match will be played from 9:30 p.m. at the Malvinas Argentinas stadium, for the fourth matchday of Group C. Alfredo Berti’s team is in unbeatable form: it has won all three of its matches and leads with a perfect record, so a victory would send it straight into the round of 16.

Depending on other results, even a draw could be enough to secure early qualification in a campaign that is already historic for the Mendoza club.

Fluminense, up against the ropes

On the other side will be a heavyweight opponent, but one under pressure. The Brazilian side has picked up just one point from three matches and sits bottom of the group, needing a win to keep its qualification hopes alive.

The contrast is stark: while Independiente Rivadavia is enjoying a dream run, Fluminense is going through a difficult spell that leaves it on the verge of an early exit.

Independiente Rivadavia, with one eye on the Cup and the other on Unión

Beyond the international challenge, the Mendoza side is also making a strong mark domestically. It was the best team in the regular phase of the Apertura Tournament, finishing first in its group, and is now preparing to face Unión in a knockout clash that promises plenty of intensity.

That context raises a question: how will it manage the physical and mental strain on both fronts? The clash against Fluminense looks like an early final, but just a few days later it will have to switch gears to host Tatengue in a decisive match.

For Unión, the situation has not gone unnoticed. The demands of continental competition could work in its favor, although it also means facing an opponent in red-hot form. In Mendoza, Lepra wants to keep making history… and the schedule is putting two tests of character in front of it within a matter of days.

Possible lineups for Independiente Rivadavia and Fluminense

Independiente Rivadavia (M): Nicolás Bolcato; Luciano Gómez, Sheyko Studer, Iván Villalba, Ezequiel Bonifacio; José Florentín, Tomás Bottari, Matías Fernández; Fabrizio Sartori; Sebastián Villa and Alex Arce. Head coach: Alfredo Berti.

Fluminense: Fábio; Rene, Juan Pablo Freytes, Jemmes, Guga; Alisson, Hércules; Kevin Serna, Jefferson Savarino, Agustín Canobbio; Rodrigo Castillo. Head coach: Luis Zubeldía.

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