The 24th round of the Professional Soccer League has passed and the ranking was hot. Three teams separated by a single point and a lurking giant. There is a very good candidate, of course, and it is Boca (45). But Racing (44) and Atlético Tucumán (44) follow closely at one point. And all three know it they can’t relax because the river comes behind who at the last appointment will visit the Cilindro de Avellaneda. And if Gimnasia wins the remaining 80 minutes against Ibarra’s men, he joins the first team. An exciting ending.
Racing and Atlético Tucumán played the match of the appointment. A meeting that everyone watched and where two celebrated. First of all Gago’s team that beat Pusineri’s team 2-0 and reached the Dean in second place in the standings. But, basically, Boca because the Academy victory paves the way for Xeneize, which was one more point and depends on itself. With those three points, those of Avellaneda have secured entry to the Copa Libertadores 2023.
There are three dates left, nine points to be played, even if those of Ribera have yet to complete the 80 minutes of play suspended with Gymnastics and could benefit more.
Sunday, after the chaos in La Plata Boca returned to the Professional League scene to do what was best it turns out: to win. Without shining, the Xeneize players recovered from the horrible moment they spent at the Bosque de la Plata and took advantage of an Aldosivi who didn’t stop making mistakes. Ibarra’s team did not forgive: they won 2-1 and climbed to the top of the standings with 45 points, waiting for the match between Racing and Atlético Tucumán on Monday. Time will tell if the Academy win benefited Xeneize or if it put more pressure on him to have a great man on top. The match on Wednesday 19th against Lobo will be fundamental.
Those of Pipo also had a complicated duel. El Lobo visited Banfield de el Sola, with all the negative accusations of what happened on Thursday on his pitch where a fan died. But Mens Sana recovered and scored a clear victory with goals from young Eric Ramírez and Uruguayan Aleman.
Two who remained with little pleasure were Argentinos Juniors and Huracán. They divided a time for each and also points. He made his debut by winning the Globe after a first phase in which the visit dominated and at 35 Cordero scored the first of the match. But in the locker room the scoreboard was overturned and it was Milito who dominated. Verón’s draw was good and the two went away willingly little by little.
Shortly after noon on Sunday, Tigre and Independiente faced off and fell again. Since the departure of his DT Julio César Falcioni was announced, the Rosso, who arrived with a streak of five consecutive victories, knows only how to lose. He did it against Central Córdoba on their pitch and now with El Matador. 2-1 for those led by Martínez who are in South American positions and dream of entering Libertadores. El Rojo, on the other hand, was excluded from everything and in 2023 he will not play any international cup.
On the 22nd, River met with his executioner in Copa Argentina, Patronato. Finally, Gallardo’s men took their revenge, winning 1-0 and reaching 41 points, equaling the Racing line and remaining 4 behind Boca. In addition to sealing his entry into the Libertadores, the Millionaire haunts those aforementioned.
A key Monday in the fight for the Professional League
The agenda of the League on Monday is not to be despised. The key game is played at 7pm, where Racing (41) receives Atlético Tucumán (44). And anything can happen. If the Tucumans win, they will take two points above Boca (45, one game to go). If, on the other hand, the three units are kept by the Academy, it will equal the Dean in second position and will be one point behind Xeneize, waiting for the wait with the Gymnastics. It will also establish that Ibarra’s are dependent on themselves to parade towards the championship, as they are doing: Boca played 14 games without losing.
Another key duel will be at four in the afternoon between Argentinos Juniors (36) and Huracán (40). El Bicho, who was far from fighting for the League, fights head to head with River to enter the Libertadores. El Globo, on the other hand, also has that illusion (he is three points below Bicho in the annual ranking) and does not lose hope and continues with the illusion of fighting for the League.
The other games on Monday will be: Central vs. Defense and Justice (16:00), Students vs. Lanús (19:00) and Central Córdoba vs. Newells (9.30pm).
This is the table
The matches on Saturday
Although nothing was defined in the fight for the top of the League, things also happened on Saturday. The most sensational occurred at the Nuovo Gasometro where the San Lorenzo beat Velez at the last minute. The incredible thing is that, when the VAR analyzed the possible penalty, the DT Insua warmed up Ortigoza enough to execute the maximum penalty and the Ciclón idol signed the victory with the first ball he touched.
In addition, Barracas and Sarmiento drew, Unión beat Arsenal 1-0 and Colón beat Platense 2-1 to Vicente López.
Source: Clarin
