Preview of Estudiantes' second to last match in the Argentine Superliga
The interim coach, Leandro Benítez, decided to have the practice session before the visit to the Monumental stadium behind closed doors.
During yesterday afternoon, almost the entire team trained under the orders of the Berisso-born coach, who finalized details for the match against Gallardo's team and tried to get three points, something they have not achieved since their visit to Patronato de Paraná. And, although secrecy didn't allow much information about a practice session aimed at correcting specific errors, it is true that the coach set up a team.
The probable lineup of the Chino
The temporary position of Leandro Benítez, who is already the third coach in the Estudiantes' institution, will have a tough debut against a growing River Plate team and as the away team.
However, the Chino knows how to highlight the virtues of a team and reach the highest possible football level.
For this, the Berisso-born coach would already have the following eleven players defined: Mariano Andújar; Facundo Sánchez, Jonathan Schunke, Gastón Campi, Sebastián Dubarbier; Lucas Rodríguez, Rodrigo Braña, Iván Gómez, Carlo Lattanzio; Lucas Melano and Mariano Pavone.
Known formation and the return of the tank upfront
For his first match on the Estudiantes' bench, Benítez would opt for a return to the basics.
Seeking balance in the midfield and power and speed in the attack, the former Estudiantes midfielder would choose a 4-4-2 formation.
In the back line, the usual given Leandro Desábato's absence due to rest: Facundo Sánchez on the right, Jonathan Schunke and Gastón Campi as center-backs, and Sebastián Dubarbier as the left wingback.
In midfield, the experienced leadership of Rodrigo Braña will be accompanied by the youth of Iván Gómez, the technique of Lucas Rodríguez, and the contribution of Carlo Lattanzio.
And in the attack, there will be an expected return by the Estudiantes' fans: Mariano Pavone in the center of the area, his natural habitat, accompanied by the speed of Lucas Melano as the second forward.
Rest and injuries
Despite having a match against River and the subsequent match against Rosario Central next Monday, all of Estudiantes' focus is on the crucial match against Nacional from Uruguay on Thursday, the 24th of this month. There, the team led by Benítez on an interim basis will play for their place in the Round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores. To achieve this goal, which seemed easier at the start of the tournament, Estudiantes will have to defeat the Uruguayans by a two-goal margin.
With that match in mind, but without neglecting the Superliga, the Chino decided to give Desábato some rest, a key player in defense, and focus on the recovery of Colombian forward Juan Otero. The striker suffered a grade 1 strain in the lateral external ligament of his left knee and will definitely be absent for the match against Canalla in the last round of the domestic tournament.
Despite this, what is important for the coach is for Otero to recover and be available in the last opportunity that Estudiantes will have to advance to the next round of the Copa Libertadores, the only goal remaining for the semester at the university level.