Independiente's squad and coaching staff arrived last night in Porto Alegre and stayed at the Deville hotel, awaiting the rematch of the South American Recopa against Gremio, which will take place tomorrow at 9:45 pm in Porto Alegre.
The already recognized "Brujo Manuel" was part of the delegation, who also accompanied the team during the definition of the Copa Sudamericana that the "rojo" won against Flamengo, again in Brazilian soil.
In terms of sports, Independiente's coach, Ariel Holan, will decide between midfielder Diego 'Torito' Rodríguez and forward Silvio Romero as the replacement for the expelled Emmanuel Gigliotti.
The 'Rojo' drew 0-0 last Saturday with Temperley in the Superliga, but the importance of the match lies in the fact that Holan was able to develop alternatives to test how to replace the team's top scorer in the attack.
The coach started with Leandro Fernández, who played the full 90 minutes, and Romero, who arrived in this transfer window to the Avellaneda team and was substituted shortly after the second half began.
This indicates that Holan preserved Romero, who, due to his characteristics, is the natural replacement for Gigliotti (who traveled to Brazil with his teammates), over Fernández, who performs better outside the box.
However, Rodríguez, who was not present in the 1-1 draw in the first leg last Wednesday due to a one-match suspension, could also be the one to enter for 'Puma'.
With this change, Misionero Martín Benítez would be the furthest forward and would move through the central area of the 'rojo' attack.
With another central defensive midfielder alongside Nicolás Domingo, Ecuadorian Fernando Gaibor could play further forward, while Maximiliano Meza would move to the right side and Jonathan Menéndez would play on the other side.
That's why, under heavy rain during today's training session at the Libertadores de América stadium, coach Holan lined up Martín Campaña; Fabricio Bustos, Alan Franco, Fernando Amorebieta, and Gastón Silva; Domingo and Gaibor; Meza, Benítez, and Menéndez; Romero.
Another change could occur at left back, where it was already in doubt whether to include Juan Manuel Sánchez Miño or Uruguayan Silva in the first leg.
On the other hand, Independiente fans who traveled to Brazil will be able to buy the remaining tickets not sold in Buenos Aires, which are around two thousand, in Porto Alegre.