Rubén Darío Insúa faces the derby challenge upon his return to San Lorenzo de Almagro. The club carries a worrying statistic in matches against its traditional rivals, which it will try to change this Sunday against Independiente in Avellaneda, as reported by Ole.
The team currently sits 14th in the Liga Profesional Argentina with 7 points from 7 games, recording 2 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses. Their last outing was a 1-0 win over Talleres de Córdoba on September 5th, slightly improving a recent form of 2W-1D-2L. However, the overall picture shows a 9-point gap to leaders Instituto de Córdoba.
What is San Lorenzo's recent record in derbies?
The statistic is stark and hard to ignore. San Lorenzo de Almagro has managed just one win in its last 26 matches against its five classic rivals: Huracán, Boca Juniors, River Plate, Independiente, and Racing Club. That sole victory was a 3-2 win over Racing on March 3, 2025. They have not won any since.
In that span of 26 games, El Ciclón recorded 15 draws and suffered 10 defeats. This earned them only 18 points from a possible 78, resulting in an effectiveness rate close to 14%. In goal difference, they scored 20 and conceded 34. The breakdown by opponent shows varied situations. Against River Plate, they managed five draws in five meetings. Versus Huracán, they have four draws and three losses in six encounters. Against Racing, besides the mentioned win, there are two draws and three defeats. With Boca Juniors, they have one draw and three losses, and against Independiente, their next rival, they have two draws and two losses. You can check the full history on our stats page.
What did Insúa say about the pressure of derbies?
In his official presentation on Wednesday, the coach addressed the topic pragmatically. "I am confident that the team will be up to the task," stated Insúa. The manager, who is beginning his third spell in charge of the club, downplayed some of the specific weight of these matches for the table. "Someone mentioned it to me but only superficially." he noted.
His approach seems clear: focus on the match as just another three-point unit, while acknowledging the extra emotional burden it carries. The task is not easy, considering the team has scored only 2 goals and conceded 5 this season, with a -3 goal difference. The squad needs to find greater offensive effectiveness to break the poor run.
How is the team preparing for the back-to-back derbies?
The schedule is demanding. The first test is this Sunday, September 13th, against Independiente, who currently sit seventh in the table. One week later, El Ciclón will face Boca Juniors. Two fire tests in a short period that could define the course of their campaign.
Insúa and his coaching staff have little time to work, but they at least arrive with the momentum of the win over Talleres. The team must improve its away performance and demonstrate defensive solidity. Planning for this decisive run of matches is key, and fans can follow the squad's evolution in our squad section.
The match at Independiente's stadium represents an immediate opportunity to start changing the narrative. A win would not only provide valuable points to climb the standings, but, above all, it would break a negative dynamic that weighs on the club. San Lorenzo de Almagro visits Avellaneda this Sunday with the mission to settle an old debt.
