Escuchar
After the euphoria of qualifying for the semifinals of the Copa Sudamericana, Racing could not get past the draw at home against Platense. It was a 1-1 with a little flavor. The quick goal of the visiting team, added to the wear and tear that the Academy brought from that game last Thursday, were a complex combo for those of Gustavo Costaswho during the first hour of the game demonstrated their superiority on the field. That was what kept their energy going.
Four days after having enjoyed an early goal, football quickly showed the other side to Racing. As well as Agustín Almendra He had scored after 13 seconds against Athletico Paranaense, now 100 seconds had not passed and the Academy already knew that the game against Platense was going to be a difficult ramp to climb. Actually, he knew it before: the last three times they faced each other ended in smiles for the Squid. Two victories for Marrón and a 0-0 draw that was celebrated as a victory at the Vicente López stadium. Now there are four.
Ball to the foot for Juanfer Quintero, Franco Minerva followsRodrigo Valle – Getty Images South America
Costas decided to opt for almost the same team that had overturned the result in the Copa Sudamericana, with only one change: the Colombian Roger Martínez could not enter the field due to discomfort in his left ankle. And again those from Avellaneda had to go in search of turning the result around. As it had happened against Boca, as it happened against Paranaense.
Racing seemed to know how to play that game. Without nerves, with the confidence of having removed the symbolic backpack that carried the weight of 27 years without getting into a continental semifinal, the team felt comfortable, despite starting at a disadvantage almost from the beginning of the game, with that early goal from Guido Mainerowhen Platense took advantage of the local doubts on both sides.
Taborda controls the ball, Salas and Rojas watch himFotobaires
The Academy had five corner kicks in the first half. A sign that the game was played near the visiting goal at the start. Equality could have come sooner, but on two occasions he was unable to take advantage of two crosses that seemed to have goal destinations. In the first, after a good play following a free kick between Agustín Almendra and Juanfer Quintero, Vicente Taborda saved on the line. In the other, after a cross from Gastón Martirena, Maravilla Martínez could not push it into the goal.
What seemed easy and did not happen could be done Santiago Sosa Twenty minutes later, with a very good right hand from outside the area. Platense entered to play in Avellaneda with Mateo Pellegrino as the only reference, with Mainero, Vicente Taborda and Franco Minerva as arrivals. With only one area reference, the usual academic line of five this time was four. Sosa joined the midfield line, a few meters ahead of his usual libero position. This explains its presence on the balcony of the squid area.
The Buenos Aires native trained in River is one of the key footballers that Gustavo Costas has in his squad. Of the 42 times that Racing played in the year, they only missed three: one because they had reached five yellow cards, and the other two because the coach opted for a replacement team. Sosa is always. Sometimes, he even scores with a goal, as he had also done against Unión, in his 50th game in the First Division. In his 70th game he converted again. Even number 13, the one who never gets tired, had to be replaced with five minutes left.
The Academy felt the wear and tear of last Thursday’s cup match. During the first half, with fresh legs and head, in addition to the push from the adverse result, he had managed to lead Platense against his goal. In the second half he could only do it in the final moments, when Calamar had decided to go for the point, after Mateo Pellegrino wasted two clear chances that could have meant the visitor’s victory. It was a tie.
Conocé The Trust Project
