BUENOS AIRES (AP) — With a header from Chilean Paulo Díaz and a penalty saved by Franco Armani, River Plate reached the top, beating San Lorenzo 1-0 at home in the classic on Saturday.
Thanks to the victory in the match corresponding to the 5th date of the Argentine Soccer League Cup, the Millionaire provisionally climbed to the top of Zone A of the contest.
In addition, Racing Club beat Talleres de Córdoba 1-0 at home and ratified their good form. In the “Academy”, the Colombian Edwin Cardona was replaced the first time, after suffering his right hamstring.
In the “Nuevo Gasómetro” stadium, the result fell short, in view of the superiority of Marcelo Gallardo’s team, who could not count on his “jewel”: Julián Álvarez —he felt discomfort in the warm-up and was left out of the game.
The striker acquired by Manchester City was replaced at the last minute by Braian Romero.
The lack of lucidity in the definition of the visit and the great performance of the veteran goalkeeper Sebastián Torrico explain the minimal difference in favor of River, which leads its area together with Unión de Santa Fe, both with ten points.
Pedro Troglio’s team squandered a good opportunity to break the zero, when the ball hit the arm of Leandro González Pirez, who, in the opinion of referee Fernando Espinoza, increased the volume of his body.
Then there was a striking discussion between the controversial Ricardo Centurión, who asked to kick, and Néstor Fernández, who finally did. “Uvita” finished in the middle and Armani rejected with his feet.
Little more than half an hour had passed and San Lorenzo felt the blow. Five minutes later, a corner executed by Ezequiel Barco was connected with a header in great form by Díaz, who did not celebrate the goal because of his past in the “Ciclón”.
River had numerous opportunities to increase, in particular after the entry of Colombian Juanfer Quintero.
“We couldn’t finish closing the game. We had the space, but we didn’t finish making good decisions. Alvarez? He felt headaches, dizziness, and we decided that he should not play, not risking it was a good decision, ”Gallardo stated.
Another good news for the “Millionaire” was the return to the complement of Matías Suárez, leaving behind a five-month absence due to a knee injury.
His return is a joy”, specified the “Muñeco” Gallardo, who was also able to align Agustín Palavecino as the starter.
The highest point in the winner was the midfielder Enzo Fernández. The coach pointed out about the youth’s present: “It is the growth of a player who continues to take steps forward. He is very complete.”
San Lorenzo has not yet won the tournament and is going through a crisis. Penultimate in his area with two points out of 15, he had in the complement the return of a historic player, Nicolás Blandi.
In the last play, the former Boca player was sanctioned for an alleged charge on Armani that led to a disallowed goal for Colombian Cristian Zapata.
In Avellaneda, the scoreboard did not do full justice to the supremacy of Racing over Talleres, who played more than an hour and ten due to the expulsion of Enzo Díaz.
The team led by Fernando Gago, who had just made a good comeback against River (2-2), celebrated at the “Cilindro” with a great goal from Gabriel Hauche, at 12.
With the victory, the “Academy” is only one unit away from the current trio of Zone A leaders.
One of them is Sarmiento, who achieved an important 1-0 victory over bottom Patronato in Paraná.
The date will continue this Sunday with the clash between Boca Juniors and Huracán as the main attraction, for Zone B.
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