Unión watch on: Independiente Rivadavia eye Fluminense upset | OneFootball

Independiente Rivadavia, Unión’s opponent in the Apertura playoffs, will host Fluminense at 9:30 p.m. in the 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 crucial 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, on Matchday 4 of Group C. Alfredo Berti’s team arrives in the best possible 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 qualification in advance in what is already a historic campaign 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, forced to win to keep its qualification hopes alive.

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

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 toll on both fronts? The match against Fluminense looks like an early final, but just a few days later it will have to switch gears to host Tatengue in another decisive game.

For Unión, the situation has not gone unnoticed. The demands of the cup 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 its path 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.