Independiente managed an important 0-0 away draw at Lanus last Thursday and will advance to the Copa Sudamericana’s semi-finals in the event of winning at home. On Sunday, coach Lucas Pusineri rotated his players and the alternative XI lost 3-2 at Huracan in the Fase Campeonato opener. That result ended their 13-game unbeaten streak of eight victories and five draws in all competitions. At home, they won five and drew two of the last seven games.
Lanus had to settle for a scoreless home draw against Independiente in an entertaining first leg and will need to score on away turf if they want to advance without penalties. On Sunday, boss Luis Zubeldia picked a young XI which managed to beat Aldosivi 2-1 away in the Fase Complementacion match week one. El Granate lost only one of their last five matches in all competitions, winning three and drawing one. On the road, they took seven points from the last 15 on offer.
It will certainly be a hard-fought game between two strong sides like last week, and again I expect it to be a close one.