San Lorenzo de Almagro is gearing up for a crucial match against Independiente, aiming to secure its qualification in the final round of the Apertura tournament's regular phase. However, the appointment of Pablo Dóvalo as the referee for this encounter at Pedro Bidegain has sparked significant concern among fans and the club, due to a particularly adverse historical record.

Pablo Dóvalo's track record officiating San Lorenzo de Almagro's matches is alarming: in the nine instances he has overseen games involving El Ciclón, the Boedo-based team has never managed to secure a victory. The balance stands at six losses and three draws, a statistic that is not going unnoticed ahead of such a vital fixture.

The most recent and painful precedent with Dóvalo in charge was San Lorenzo's 5-2 defeat against Defensa y Justicia. That heavy loss not only represented a sporting blow but also led to the departure of the then-coach, Damián Ayude, highlighting the negative impact this referee has had during critical moments for the team.

This upcoming Saturday, El Ciclón has a golden opportunity to seal its passage to the next stage of the tournament. The pressure will be immense, and the presence of a referee with such an unfavorable history adds an extra layer of tension to an already momentous match for San Lorenzo de Almagro's aspirations.

Accompanying Pablo Dóvalo in the officiating team will be Juan Mamani as assistant referee one, Lucas Pardo as assistant referee two, and Jorge Broggi as the fourth official. The VAR responsibility will fall to Diego Ceballos, completing the refereeing squad for this decisive clash.