Buenos Aires, January 16 (NA) – Independiente drew 1-1 with Fénix of Uruguay, as the away team, in an informal friendly match during the preseason prior to tonight's game against Montevideo Wanderers, their last appearance in the Rio de la Plata Series. According to the Argentine News Agency, the team managed by Gustavo Quinteros formed with Joaquín Blázquez; Luciano Barros Ayala, Fernando Closter, Nicolás Freire, Jonathan De Irastorza; Pablo Galdames, Federico Mancuello, Alan Laprida; Tomás Parmo, Diego Tarzia and Ignacio Pussetto. This friendly match was played in two halves of 35 minutes, and 'Rojo' started losing at the Parque Capurro stadium in Montevideo. Finally, Independiente managed to equalize with a goal from the youngster Felipe Tempone, pushing it under the crossbar after a pass from Enzo Taborda. Coach Quinteros made seven changes in this last informal friendly on Uruguayan soil: Mateo Morro for Blázquez, Tempone for Laprida, Facundo Zabala for De Irastorza, Mateo Pérez Curci for Galdames, Josías Palais for Tarzia, Taborda for Pussetto and Lautaro Millán for Parmo. Having fielded this alternate team in this draw against Fénix, it is likely that the former Vélez manager will use his starting lineup tonight at the Alfredo Victor Viera stadium to face Montevideo Wanderers in the final match of the Rio de la Plata Series. This team will be composed of Rodrigo Rey in goal, defenders Leonardo Godoy, Kevin Lomónaco, Sebastián Valdéz and Zabala, the midfield trio formed by Uruguayan Rodrigo Fernández Cedrés, Pérez Curci and Luciano Cabral, and up front, the attacking trident will be made up of Santiago Montiel, the Uruguayan Matías Abaldo and the Paraguayan Gabriel Ávalos. After tonight's match, Independiente will return to Buenos Aires to carry out the final days of preseason at the Santo Domingo facility in Villa Domínico and prepare for the debut next Friday in the Closing Tournament against Estudiantes de La Plata at the Libertadores de América stadium - Ricardo Enrique Bochini. Due to the lack of offers, Ruiz starts to reconsider his departure from Independiente The forward who returned from his loan at Barracas Central, Javier Ruiz, has begun to show signs of regret for his attitudes during the preseason and is considering the possibility of continuing at Independiente. At the express request of Gustavo Quinteros, the footballer from San Antonio de Padua interrupted his loan at Barracas Central and returned to Independiente for this season that will begin next Friday. However, on the third day of preseason, the forward was absent from training, claiming that the club still owes him money and that when the squad's salaries were paid on January 3, he received less than he was owed. Furthermore, his close associates state that he maintains the salary from his first contract at Independiente, which is much lower than the one he received during his loan to Barracas Central. Refusing to reach an agreement with Quinteros and having arrived an hour and a half late the next day, the directors decided that Ruiz would not travel to the preseason in Uruguay and would train with the Reserve while waiting for an offer of 5 million dollars for his entire contract. Finally, that offer never arrived, and in recent hours, the forward has begun to show signs of regret, having held two positive talks with the youth coordinator Hugo Tocalli. In recent hours, coach Quinteros had assured that “the doors are open for him when he has and feels the desire and is motivated to put on the Independiente jersey. He is capital for Independiente and a great player”. This statement resonated with Ruiz and his circle, who seem to have changed their rebellious attitude and would have a meeting next week at Independiente for the player to rejoin the first team and be considered by Quinteros. He is not afraid to face the goal, he dribbles a lot and I always wanted to have him. He has qualities that I like.
