Unión de Santa Fe is set to face Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata this Saturday, March 1, at 21:30, for the eighth round of the 2025 Apertura Tournament at the Estadio 15 de Abril located in Santa Fe. The match will be officiated by referee Pablo Echavarría and broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN Premium.
The Tatengue, currently struggling at the bottom of the table, seeks their first victory of the tournament after suffering multiple defeats. They come off a disappointing 1-0 loss against Huracán, marking their fifth game without wins. The team, coached by Cristian González, only managed to accumulate two points after six matches, with four losses and two draws so far.
Gimnasia, on the other hand, enters this match on the upswing, having maintained five games without defeat across various competitions, including Argentine league matches and the Copa Argentina. They clinched their previous match against Atlético Tucumán with a narrow 1-0 victory last Saturday, thanks to Rodrigo Castillo's goal shortly after kickoff.
Interestingly, Union has yet to secure their first win, having started the tournament with disappointments including losses to Estudiantes (3-1) and Tigre (1-0), as well as draws against Boca Juniors and Instituto, along with their latest setback against Huracán. The last time these two teams met, on October 28, 2024, Unión emerged victorious with a close 3-2 result.
For Saturday's match, Unión's coach Gonzalez faces lineup decisions due to several factors, including the absence of Alan Sosa, who will miss the game due to administrative issues stemming from his recent arrest related to domestic disturbances, as reported on Monday. His absence opens the door for Manuel Panaro to step up, who recently completed a suspension. González has several positions up for grabs, primarily determining between Lautaro Vargas or Lucas Gerometta as well as Ezequiel Ham or Mauro Pittón for the midfield, and choosing between Franco Fragapane or Julián Palacios for the frontline.
The last set of matches for Unión includes the following results: loss to Huracán (1-0) on February 16, draw with Instituto (0-0) on February 13, and another loss against Argentinos Juniors (1-0) on February 7. Given the current standings, they sit at 14th place with only two points.
Meanwhile, Gimnasia has found some stability lately, positioning themselves sixth with 10 points. After replacing Marcelo Méndez as coach earlier this year, they’ve been performing steadily under interim guidance from Diego Flores, securing wins and finding form. Their last few results include victories over San Martín de San Juan (1-0) and the above-mentioned win against Tucumán.
Despite their recent victories, the focus will also be on the procedural matters surrounding Sosa's situation, creating some off-pitch drama for the Lobo. It is yet to be seen how this incident will affect team morale and performance moving forward.
Fans attending Saturday's match at the Estadio 15 de Abril should note important safety guidelines provided by the Santa Fe Security Ministry. The venue will open gates at 19:30, with police operations starting at 18:30. Measures are being implemented to regulate crowd control, and fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid congestion.
Ticket prices range fairly widely with general admission tickets priced at 20,000 pesos, discounted tickets for seniors at 10,000 pesos, and minors needing to pay for insurance at 5,500 pesos. Non-member tickets can be purchased online through the club's ticket site.
Union's supporters, still hopeful for their first round victory, will come out to rally behind their team as they take on Gimnasia, who is determined to continue their streak and solidify their mid-table position.
With the recent history and both clubs eager to secure points, Saturday's showdown promises to be filled with intensity and anticipation for the fans within the beautiful confines of the Estadio 15 de Abril. It remains to be seen whether the Tatengue can finally turn their fortunes around or if the Lobo can continue their upward momentum.