Students from La Plata visit Colón and could be the first to qualify for the quarterfinals.
In a year with a calendar full of controversy at the World Cup in Qatar, the Cup of the Professional Soccer League will enter the definition zone just 71 days after the gunfire that marked its start. Over the next 17 days the puzzle of the eight teams that will reach the quarterfinals. Although none of them had yet secured their place at the time, there were two leaders who were running smoothly. And there are also some heavyweights who look at the tables with concern and even frustration.
In Zone A, Fernando Gago’s career record is parked and could advance to the quarterfinals this weekend. But not only that: the first place can also be guaranteed. To do so, he must beat Newell on Sunday to President Perón and then hope River doesn’t beat Atlético Tucumán at Monumental. Beyond the moment where it became mathematically, the number one on Academywho built a five -point light to his nearest chaser, seemed not to take advantage.
The stumble against Talleres in Córdoba didn’t drop River (22 points) from second place, but it did allow his pursuers to get close. Newell’s excellent running, winning four of their last five games, has allowed them to match the group line led by Marcelo Gallardo, although with a worse goal difference (+11 against + 5), and came in tune for the trip to Avellaneda.
The Argentinos Juniors are just two units away and Israel Damonte’s surprising Sarmiento, who in his victory against Defense and Justice on Thursday over Eva Perón jumped to fifth place, leaving the Lawin. The Juninenses will have two main rivalries in the coming days: on Monday they will visit La Paternal and next weekend they will receive River.
Sarmiento has won his last three games and is excited to advance to the quarterfinals. (Photo: Sarmiento Press)
Defense (18) and Union (17), who divide their attention between the League Cup and South American Cup, still have concrete opportunities, which are more visible than Gimnasia (15) and Banfield (14). The five other members of the group are confident that their participation in the competition will end when this first round is over, including the defeated San Lorenzo, who barely managed to win two games.
In zone B there is also a comfortable leader who this Friday could be first classified in the quarterfinals: Estudiantes. And this despite the fact that it’s the team that registers the most official activity of the year (11 against the League Cup, two in its Copa Libertadores group and four more in the qualifying phase of the continental tournament) because it doesn’t have a particularly large team .
The team led by Ricardo Zielinski had 24 points and was surprised by its offensive laziness (sometimes with background uncertainty): it was the highest scoring team in the tournament (he had 28) and had the highest scorer in the tournament, Mauro Boselli (9), well supported by Leandro Díaz from Tucuman (6) and Gustavo Del Prete from Rio Negro (3). A draw against Colón with Brigadier López will take them to the quarterfinals and even a win and a carom result will secure them in first place this weekend.
The students are the highest scoring team in the tournament and lead in zone B. (Photo: Mauricio Nievas)
Four and five points from click Two of the pleasant manifestations of this League Cup are leaving: Aldosivi and Tigre. The cast led by Martín Palermo could also fasten its classification to this date if it defeats Huracán in Mar del Plata and does not win Colón and Barracas Central, who are in fifth and sixth, both with 15 points.
Ang sabalero and the Handsome They are, at these times, the shadows that threaten Boca (18). After their victory against River at Monumental, the team led by the highly questionable Sebastián Battaglia linked four draws (all against rivals who were very relegated to the table) and the single went to a dilemma that they will try to escape on Saturday, when they visit Central Córdoba (14) in the Mother of Cities. The men from Santiago, inspired by their victory against Vélez in Amalfitani, will play their final chips to access the quarterfinals.
Sergio Rondina’s team seemed to draw a line of those excited to qualify. Although the math provides an opportunity for 13 of the 14 participants in the area (only Rosario Central is known to have been eliminated), many rely on a very complex numerical alchemy to seek a vacancy in the direct elimination stage. Among them, some teams that, a priori, are considered candidates for one of the first four places, such as Independiente (13), Huracán (12), Vélez (11) and Lanús (10).
what is left for each
Zone A
Karera: Newell’s (L), Banfield (L) and San Lorenzo (V).
River Plate: Atlético Tucumán (L), Sarmiento de Junín (V) and Platense (L).
to Newell: Racing Club (F), San Lorenzo (L) and Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata (L).
Argentine Juniors: Sarmiento de Junín (L), Platense (V) and Unión de Santa Fe (L).
Sarmiento: Argentinos Juniors (V), River Plate (L) and Talleres (V).
Defense and Justice: Platense (L), Unión de Santa Fe (V) and Patronato (L).
Union: Gymnastics and Fencing of La Plata (V), Defense and Justice (L) and Argentinos Juniors (V).
gym: Union (L), Patronato (V) and Newell’s (L).
banfield: Talleres (L), Karera (V) at Atlético Tucumán (L).
Zone B
Students: Colón (V), Aldosivi (L) and Rosario Central (V).
Aldosivi: Hurricane (L), Students (V) and Arsenal (L).
tiger: Arsenal (L), Vélez (V) and Boca Juniors (L).
Boca Juniors: Central Córdoba (V), Baracas Central (L) and Tigre (V).
Colon: Students from La Plata (L), Arsenal (V) and Vélez Sarsfield (L).
Central Barracks: Vélez Sarsfield (L), Boca Juniors (V) and Godoy Cruz (L).
Central Cordoba: Students from La Plata (L), Arsenal (V) and Vélez Sarsfield (L).
Independent: Rosario Central (V), Lanús (V) and Huracán (L).
Source: Clarin