Estudiantes de La Plata hosts San Lorenzo at Estadio UNO on Sunday at 18:00 local time (21:00 UTC) in round 13 of the Torneo Clausura. The fixture pits two direct rivals in the Zona A standings against each other as both clubs sit on 14 points, desperate for a victory to break into the top eight playoff positions. For Estudiantes, the domestic clash arrives directly between the legs of a high-stakes Copa Libertadores semifinal against Flamengo, forcing manager Alexander Medina to manage squad fatigue carefully while maintaining competitive momentum.
Estudiantes Balances Domestic Ambitions with Copa Libertadores Semifinal
The fixture at Estadio UNO carries complicated scheduling implications for the home side. Following a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Flamengo in the first leg of the continental semifinal, Estudiantes must travel to Rio de Janeiro for the return leg the following Thursday. Addressing reporters ahead of the weekend, Medina emphasized the group’s focus on the Maracanã showdown while acknowledging the domestic stakes. “Vamos a tratar de hacer otro gran partido en el Maracaná y llevarnos la clasificación porque tenemos con qué,” Medina declared, as reported by TyC Sports. In the domestic tournament, the Pincha sits ninth in Zona A after a 2-2 draw against Central Córdoba in Santiago del Estero, where defensive errors cost them two points. To preserve playoff aspirations, the team needs a victory on home soil.
📋 Los futbolistas convocados para enfrentar a San Lorenzo, por la fecha 13 del Torneo Clausura. pic.twitter.com/EPfyFNTn4S
San Lorenzo Seeks to Break Away Drought Under Insúa
San Lorenzo arrives in La Plata looking to reverse a prolonged away-from-home slump. The Ciclón comes into the match carrying a nine-match winless streak on the road in league play, according to reporting by TyC Sports. Despite that away drought, Rubén Darío Insúa’s side secured a 1-0 victory over Deportivo Riestra at the Nuevo Gasómetro thanks to a goal by Teo Rodríguez Pagano, marking the first win of Insúa’s second stint as manager. Both San Lorenzo and Estudiantes share 14 points in the Zona A table, making Sunday’s match a critical six-pointer for playoff qualification. However, San Lorenzo will travel without forward Alexis Cuello, the team’s second-leading scorer with five goals this year, who is suspended after accumulating his fifth yellow card against Riestra.
Tactical Rotation and the Anticipated Debut of Marcos Rojo
With an eye squarely on the upcoming trip to Brazil, Medina is expected to deploy an alternative lineup combining regular starters and players seeking match fitness. Fernando Muslera is slated to start in goal, while the defensive line prepares for the inclusion of Marcos Rojo, who is set to feature in an Estudiantes shirt following his departure from Racing. According to reporting from Olé, central defenders Leandro González Pirez and Tomás Palacios return to the starting XI after missing the continental fixture due to yellow card accumulation. In the midfield, Bautista Kociubinski is pencilled in alongside José Sosa and Miguel Monsalve, while Adolfo Gaich leads the attack alongside Joaquín Correa and Edwuin Cetré.
San Lorenzo Roster Adjustments and Lineup Uncertainty
For the visitors, Insúa kept his cards close to his chest during pre-match press availability, declining to confirm his starting eleven while noting that the setup would mirror the side that faced Riestra. “Va a jugar un equipo bastante similar al que enfrentó a Riestra,” Insúa told reporters, as noted by Olé. The attacking vacancy left by the suspended Cuello will be contested by youth prospects Alan Salas and Agustín Ladstatter. In midfield, Martín Río is pushing for a start over Gonzalo Alassia following weekly tactical tests.
Match Officials and Broadcast Information
The Argentine Professional Football League confirmed that Sebastián Martínez will serve as the referee for Sunday’s encounter at Estadio UNO in La Plata. Martínez will be assisted on the pitch by José Castelli and Juan Ricciardi, with Marcos Recalde acting as fourth official. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) booth will be overseen by Héctor Paletta, joined by Jorge Broggi as AVAR. Television coverage in Argentina is broadcast live via TNT Sports Premium, with regional radio commentary provided through outlets such as FM La Redonda on 100.3 FM.
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