Racing vs Independiente Petrolero – News and Probable Lineups

Argentina’s Racing Club is set to host Bolivia’s Independiente Petrolero, both struggling teams in the Copa Sudamericana, at Estadio Presidente Peron on Wednesday for their final match in group E.

La Academia is currently without a manager and aiming for a fresh start, while El Inde seeks to restore some pride following a challenging period.

Match overview

Racing has faced difficulties throughout their campaign, both in the continental competition and the Primeira Division. They enter this fixture searching for a fresh beginning, having managed just one victory in their last 10 matches across all competitions.

In their latest outing, La Academia played to a 2-2 stalemate with Caracas, a frustrating Copa Sudamericana encounter where Racing’s Gabriel Rojas opened the scoring with an unfortunate own goal just a minute in, only for Irving Gudino to equalize for the Venezuelans after El Primer Grande had taken the lead.

To add to their woes, dropping points in that match means the managerless Argentinians can no longer advance past the group stage, as they currently occupy third place with only five points—four behind second-placed Caracas.

Consequently, club president Diego Milito opted to relieve the manager of his duties, personally informing Gustavo Costas about his dismissal on Saturday.

Now, the responsibility falls to the former head coach’s assistants to prepare the squad for their last group E match. Given that they have failed to win any of their last five home games, the fans may understandably doubt their chances of securing a victory.

On the other hand, Thaigo Leitao’s Petrolero is also struggling ahead of Wednesday’s match, aiming to secure their first points in the Copa Sudamericana during their final chance.

Having lost all their matches in group E thus far, El Inde can no longer qualify for the round of 16 or the playoffs and will be playing merely for pride this week.

Last Thursday, the Bolivian team suffered a comprehensive 3-0 defeat against Brazil’s Botafogo, leaving Leitao’s squad with only one win in their last six matches—a 3-1 success against Blooming on May 13.

That single win has been the only bright spot in a dismal run, featuring three losses and two draws, extending back almost a month, when Petrolero achieved back-to-back 2-1 victories over Universitario de Vinto and second-placed Bolivar in the Division Profesional.

El Inde may find encouragement in the fact that their hosts are currently without a manager, although fans will be concerned that Petrolero has only managed one away win across their seven trips in 2026 – their

Team News

Racing will be missing midfielder Alan Forneris on Wednesday due to a cruciate ligament injury sustained earlier this month.

In his absence, the hosts may feature Bruno Zuculini alongside Matias Zaracho and Matko Miljevic in central midfield.

Additionally, La Academia is set to be without right wing-back Ezequiel Cannavo, who has a muscle injury, while right winger Valentin Carboni continues to recover from his own cruciate ligament injury.

That said, Gaston Martirena is expected to fill the right flank role, supporting a strike partnership of Adrian Martinez and Tomas Perez.

As for Petrolero, they have a relatively fit squad to select from this week, so expect Rodrigo Rivas to start in the attack, with Rudy Cardozo and Gustavo Cristaldo providing width.

Defensively, Leitao might opt for a back three of Ronny Montero, Luis Palma, and Diego Navarro in front of goalkeeper Jhohan Gutierrez.

Racing Club probable starting XI:

Tagliamont; Di Cesare, Sosa, Pardo; Martirena, Zaracho, Zuculini, Miljevic, Rojas; Martinez, Perez

Independiente Petrolero probable starting XI:

Gutierrez; Eduardo, Navarro, Palma, Montero, Rodriguez; Cardozo, Willie, Rojas, Cristaldo; Rivas

Racing has struggled significantly in recent months; however, they will expect to overcome the bottom club, despite not having a permanent manager on the sidelines.

Petrolero has lost every match in group E so far, and—unless there is a surprising turn of events—they seem poised to conclude their Copa Sudamericana campaign with a six-match losing streak.