Independiente tied 0-0 against San Lorenzo at the Libertadores de América Stadium on matchday 9 of the Professional League in a result that does not convince anyone, since it keeps them out of the fight to enter next year’s international cups.
The first half was marked by the correct expulsion of Alex Luna for the Rojo. At 19 minutes into the match, the referee, Hernán Mastrángelo, was alerted by the VAR for a reckless tackle by the winger against Malcom Braida and showed the youngster, who is on loan from Atlético de Rafaela, a direct red card.
After this unexpected loss, Julio Vaccari’s team retreated into their own area without being able to threaten the rival goal, except with long balls and shots from outside the area. On the other hand, Ciclón easily reached the final third of the field, but showed many shortcomings in finishing under Rodrigo Rey’s three posts.
To have a great chance, you have to wait until the 62nd minute of the match, when Rodrigo Rey excelled in three goals to keep his team alive after shots from Alexis Cuello, Andrés Vombergar and Eric Remedi. The host’s response came in the last quarter of an hour with two shots from Santiago Hidalgo, one deflected by Facundo Altamirano to the corner and the other controlled by the goalkeeper without rebounding.
They faced each other in Avellaneda (Credit: Foto Baires)
The reaction shown by Independiente at the end lifted the crowd in the stands and, without a doubt, the dedication and sacrifice shown by the club’s youth players were the positive data of a tie that leaves them in the last places of the championship after a bad start to the semester with two defeats (against Instituto and Independiente Rivadavia de Mendoza) and another draw against Barracas Central.
The distribution of points left the Avellaneda team in 22nd place with eight points and immediately behind is San Lorenzo (7), who has a match to play against Godoy Cruz who is tied 1-1 and has only won one match against Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata in El Bosque so far in the tournament.
Under this scenario, the Azulgrana will face Vélez on Tuesday, August 6, in the round of 16 of the Copa Argentina and will place its priority on the Copa Libertadores, where on Tuesday, August 13, it will host Atlético Mineiro in the first leg of the round of 16.
On matchday 10 of the Professional League, Independiente will visit Estudiantes in La Plata on August 11 at 8:00 p.m., while San Lorenzo will play at home on Saturday the 10th at 2:30 p.m. against Atlético Tucumán at the Nuevo Gasómetro.
Formations
Independent: Rodrigo Rey; Santiago Salle, Juan Manuel Fedorco, Joaquin Laso, Damian Perez; Ivan Marcone, Lucas Gonzalez, David Martinez; Santiago Lopez, Gabriel Avalos and Alex Luna. Coach: Julio Vaccari
San Lorenzo: Facundo Altamirano; Nicolas Tripichio, Johan Romaña, Gaston Campi, Malcolm Braida; Elian Irala, Eric Remedi; Ivan Leguizamon, Alexis Cuello, Matias Reali; and Andres Vombergar. Coach: Leandro Romagnoli.
Referee: Hernan Mastrangelo
Stadium: Libertadores of America / Ricardo Enrique Bochini
The Professional League positions:
