Nobody leaves. And it doesn’t matter that on Friday you have to get up early. A long time passed after the end of the game and in the stands people were singing for “the Acadé” and until “hand in hand with Costas, we are going to turn around.” Yes, the coach who was questioned a while ago, despite his status as an emblem, now offers hope. It is not for less. Tonight’s victory is historic. It had been 27 years since Racing had qualified for the semifinals of an international tournament. He went far away, in the 1997 Libertadores, with the Coco Basile on the bench. So, how can the hands of their fans not be filled with applause?
The Cylinder was loaded, like on those special appointments. The people who accompanied with their breath. And in just 17 seconds, a great goal sparked the enthusiasm that paved the way for the victory. Agustín Almendra, from 25 meters, made the ball travel non-stop to the corner and it was the prelude to the light blue and white music.
Racing hit the ground running and finished the first half with a result that left it close to the mark in the standings. No one imagined finding the haven so early. From that relaxing shout from the midfielder that Guillermo Barros Schelotto compared to Paul Pogba, the team took off the pressure of equalizing the series and flowed.
There was order, concentration, aggressiveness and precision in speed, the most difficult thing to achieve in football. With the well-launched sides, an intense midfielder and an offensive trident that tore apart the last Brazilian line.
Roger Martínez showed all his power to move from the center to the left. Maravilla Martínez did the hardest work, wearing down center backs Kaique Rocha and Thiago Heleno and dragging down the marks. And Juan Fernando Quintero shone in every intervention. The Colombians, so often criticized for those gaps that usually occur at different times of the season, were decisive in the two goals that seemed to close the series.
With Atlético Paranaense forced, two counters notably handled by Quintero left Roger Martínez well outlined in the area. First, Juanfer He received from Almendra and hit a first-class shot so that his compatriot could break into space and to the credit of Cartagena he threw the center back for Maravilla’s attack. Afterwards, he recovered in the middle of the field, faced with the ball dominated and assisted the other Colombian, who defined one-on-one with Mycael.
The team of Fought González was very light. They stood with a 4-4-2 in which possession predominated, but it was shallow on the wings, despite the fact that Gabriel was encouraged in the one-on-one with Gastón Martirena. The best thing Atlético Paranaense produced was through some stopped balls or mid-distance shots without aim. The local centers, on the other hand, They were very firm from above and below.
That is why for the start of the complement, the coach who knew how to play for Huracán, River and the Argentine National Team introduced three variants and changed the scheme. Pablo, Christian and Nikao entered and in the first play, the Brazilian team found the discount.
It was from a good pass from Canobbio, a weak coverage from Santiago Quirós and an even worse response from Gabriel Arias. Nikao’s shot leaked under the goalkeeper’s glove and the stands began to fear a reaction from Atlético Paranaense.
And there were a few minutes of anxiety. Until Costas got his hands on the bench, reinforced the middle with Bruno Zuculini and motivated the team on the left with the entry of Facundo Mura. At that point, Almond was no longer giving.
Then, Racing began to win the divisions. And as Quintero also began to feel tired, Maxi Salas entered with full vigor. And it was precisely from a corner kick by the newly introduced forward that the relief goal came. And from Canobbio’s rejection, a wonderful definition of Martirena. The Uruguayan stopped it with his chest and hit an unstoppable right hand for Mycael.
In the end, he resisted. And there was a goal disallowed to Tomás Cuello due to an offside position. The VAR was not needed, the fans were already in another situation, happy after so many ups and downs. Thinking of Corinthians, the last obstacle on the way to Asunción. But that will be another story. Right now, it’s time to enjoy.
