Talleres vs Gimnasia
Talleres wrapped up their 2023 campaign with a 3-2 home success over Independiente, which allowed them to secure the second spot of the aggregate table and to clinch their ticket to the Copa Libertadores. Thanks to that victory, La T also stopped a seven-match winless streak in league action (four draws and three defeats). The team have been unbeaten in their last 16 home matches (winning eight and drawing eight). Coach Javier Gandolfi left the club during the break and his assistant Walter Ribonetto took over the reins. He will miss Rodrigo Garro, sold to Brazil’s SC Corinthians. Juan Camilo Portilla, arriving from Colombia’s America Cali, is the most relevant signing in a total of seven.
Thanks to a strike from Nicolas Colazo, Gimnasia LP beat Colon 1-0 at Newell’s Old Boys in the relegation playoff to stay in the top flight after a hectic season. That victory also allowed them to break a four-game winless streak of one draw and three losses in league action. El Lobo claimed a single victory across their last 13 away games, drawing six and losing six. Coach Leonardo Madelon welcomes ten new faces, including Cristian Colman (Universidad Catolica, Ecuador). Striker Cristian Tarragona is the most relevant loss in the transfer window after joining San Lorenzo.
Despite losing Rodrigo Garro in the offseason, Talleres should continue to be the tough team they were last year. They shouldn’t feel the coach change as it’s the assistant of the previous coach who is taking over, and they will face this Gimnasia that doesn’t look any better than last season when they had to win a playoff game to avoid relegation.