08/14/2024 18:52hs. Updated on 08/14/2024 21:23hs.
The atmosphere in Arroyito was one of total celebration. Central arrived in a strong mood and with the great momentum of the victory in the Rosario derby against Newell’s. But the focus had to be changed quickly. And although they did merit winning the first leg, it was not enough. In what was Matías Lequi’s debut as a coach -still interim- in an international competition, Canalla outplayed Fortaleza but could not defeat them and did not go beyond a draw. Now everything will be decided in Brazil, where the Academia rosarina eliminated Inter a few weeks ago and has good memories…
From the start, the match was very different from what could have been expected. Both players came out determined to hurt each other. And they did it well. In the first play of the match, Marinho showed off with an exquisite free kick in the corner that surprised Fatura Broun, who could do nothing against the left-footed winger’s touch. However, what was surprising was what happened after the goal: The former Santos player went on a euphoric run to celebrate his victory and got injured! To the point that he threw himself on the grass with great gestures of pain and had to be replaced after just three minutes of the match.But it doesn’t end there… Central barely felt the early blow which was provided by the team led by Juan Pablo Vojvoda. He took it out of the middle, won a corner and tied it up in a flash. A Mallo advance, hero in the victory against Newell’s last weekend, He won the area as usual and managed to deflect it so that Sández could, who had already scored in the series against Inter de Brasil, comes in through the far post and gets Canalla back into the game.
After such an atypical start, Central began to take control and, with isolated attacks, made Fortaleza uncomfortable, who chose to retreat and wait for the counterattack. A draw that was not enough for the Rosario team, given that everything will be decided on Rio de Janeiro soil. but will seek to repeat the feat achieved in the qualifying phase against Inter at Beira Rio.
AMDEP4500. ROSARIO (ARGENTINA), 08/14/2024.- Agustín Sández (c) from Rosario celebrates a goal this Wednesday, in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana between Rosario Central and Fortaleza at the Gigante de Arroyito stadium in Rosario (Argentina). EFE/ Franco Trovato Fouco