The Beautiful Game Meets the Ugly Reality of Injuries and Scandals
Ah, the drama, the intrigue, the sheer, unadulterated soap opera that is South American football! Welcome, dear readers, to the world of Independiente, where the beautiful game meets the ugly reality of injuries, scandals, and… well, more injuries. And scandals. Can’t forget those.
So, Julio Vaccari’s team is facing off against Newell’s, a side that’s been on a downward spiral, with four consecutive defeats. Ah, the perfect opponent to get your season back on track! Or, you know, the perfect opponent to implode against and make things even more interesting. We can’t wait to find out!
But, before we get to the actual match, let’s talk about the elephant in the room – or rather, the two players who were involved in that rather… distasteful… party on a yacht. Yes, we’re talking about Diego Tarzia and Santiago Toloza, who will both be starting for Independiente against Newell’s. Because, you know, what’s a little scandal when you’ve got a match to win?
It’s worth noting that this will be Toloza’s first start since February, and his first under the command of Vaccari, with whom he had a rather… limited… relationship, even after the scandal broke out last October. We’re not sure what’s more impressive, Toloza’s ability to bounce back from controversy or Vaccari’s willingness to give him another chance. Either way, it’s going to be… interesting.
Now, let’s talk about the actual team selection. With injuries to Santiago Montiel and Lucas "Saltita" González, Vaccari has been forced to make a couple of changes. Tarzia and Toloza will be joined by… well, a bunch of other players who aren’t injured, we suppose. The rest of the team remains intact, although they’re showing signs of fatigue. Ah, the grueling schedule of South American football – it’s enough to make you wonder how they do it!
In any case, Independiente will be looking to pick up a vital win against Newell’s and keep their hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Copa Libertadores alive. With a team that’s struggling to stay healthy and a coach who’s… well, let’s just say "creative" in his team selection, it’s going to be a tough ask. But hey, that’s what makes football so darn exciting, right?
The Starting Lineup:
- Rodrigo Rey
- Federico Vera
- Kevin Lomónaco
- Joaquín Laso
- Damián Pérez
- Felipe Loyola
- Iván Marcone
- Santiago Toloza
- Santiago Hidalgo
- Gabriel Ávalos
- Diego Tarzia
Manager: Julio Vaccari
And that’s it for now, folks! We’ll be keeping a close eye on this one, if only to see how Toloza and Tarzia fare after their… eventful… offseason. Until next time, when we’ll be bringing you more of the same drama, intrigue, and, of course, football.
Independiente aims to revive its quest for a 2025 Copa Libertadores spot, and a crucial victory over Newell’s in Rosario is essential. Following four consecutive defeats, the team will face the challenge with a rejuvenated spirit, boosted by the appointment of Mariano Soso as the new coach on Monday. This significant change comes at a critical juncture, and the team’s determination will be put to the test.
Due to injuries to key players Santiago Montiel and Lucas “Saltita” González, Julio Vaccari’s squad will undergo two forced modifications for the match against Leprosy. In a surprising turn of events, Diego Tarzia and Santiago Toloza, both embroiled in the controversy surrounding the party on the yacht, will be part of the lineup. These players had previously replaced the injured duo in the second half of the match against Gimnasia, showcasing sober performances that earned them a spot in the starting eleven for the Marcelo Bielsa Coloso showdown.
This marks a significant milestone for Toloza, who will make his first start since February and his first under the command of Vaccari, with whom he had limited playing time after the scandal in October. Vaccari’s team remains largely unchanged, despite exhibiting signs of physical strain towards the end of the year. The losses of Montiel and González are compounded by the absence of Mancuello, Spörle, and David “Tata” Martínez, creating a complex scenario for Vaccari as he strives to secure a spot in the continental competition.
The starting lineup will feature Rodrigo Rey; Federico Vera, Kevin Lomónaco, Joaquín Laso, Damián Pérez; Felipe Loyola, Iván Marcone, Santiago Toloza; Santiago Hidalgo, Gabriel Ávalos, and Diego Tarzia, under the guidance of DT Julio Vaccari.
