The message received by the group, goodbye to Gago’s Achilles heel and a 9 for “Wonder”: an emotional x-ray of Racing de Costas

It was the day after the disappointing debut against Unión. And, at the same time, the moment the team clicked. Gustavo Costas faced the players and was strong. “Today we don’t do anything with names, eh. If they don’t escape we’re done“, he told his followers. And then he did a sort of self-criticism with his technical staff. “I was guided by the surnames and not by the physical condition of the players“, he assured inside the office he shares with his sons, Federico (PF) and Gonzalo (videographer) and Omar Pouso (field assistant). And from the following match, against Tigre in that same Cylinder that was consumed in the concern against the Santa Fe team, Racing takes off.

Since then, the Academy He scored 10 points in the last 12 games and scored 11 goals, 8 in 72 hours against San Lorenzo (Friday) and against Newell’s (Monday). He received just 2, a symptom of the defensive solidity he found with Costas, his Achilles heel during the match last year, when he spent three months without managing to finish with a goal to nilsomething he achieved in 3 of 5 League Cup matches.

This is one of the secrets of the team’s good time. Gabriel Arias has recovered his level. Established as a reference for Racing, he was one of the most questioned players during the last phase of Fernando Gago’s cycle and Sebastián Grazzini’s transition. The goalkeeper showed confidence, without going any further, in the duel against Newell’s, when he thanked him a sensational double cover claimed victory. The arrival of Facundo Cambeses as competition gave a boost to the nationalized Chilean Neuquén.

Defense is fundamental for Costas. His teams are usually solid, they don’t compromise on intensity, but the coach himself knows that he has never had a squad of such quality and that he expects much more from him. The four-man defensive line lasted one game. After the clash with Tigre they imposed themselves with three central scorers and two flying wingers.

Santiago Sosa’s position as last man is a success for the coach. Although the first to use the midfielder in the cave was Marcelo Gallardo in River, Costas understood that this 24-year-old from La Plata could give him a clean start and an aerial game, given that he is 1.80 meters tall. On the sides, the boy Tobías Rubio and Agustín Garcia Basso They appear solid, especially the reinforcements that arrived from Independiente del Valle. Strong one-on-one, with a good long and fast pass, he had an excellent letter of introduction.

Gastón Martirena tried first on the wing, but he established himself with Facundo Mura (author of two goals in the last two games) and Gabriel Rojas (two assists).

The partnership between Juan Fernando Quintero and Agustín Almendra, which rotated against Newell’s and entered the second half, paid off. The Colombian is in his best moment and the midfielder who arrived from Boca is showing all his strengths, so much so that Guillermo Barros Schelotto said he is in the presence of the team “Argentine Pogba”.

Bruno Zuculini became the axis of the center. It was difficult for him to establish himself, especially due to his physical condition. The midfielder was out of action for 9 months due to a torn ligament in his left knee. He returned in September and when Racing decided to send him back, they knew he would need time to adapt. Against Newell’s he was a great protagonist in the anticipation, in the elimination, in the distribution and he also scored a great goal.

In this sense, Leonel Miranda is also starting to find the rhythm that distinguished him before his long absence due to injuries and personal problems.

The “9” is essential. The more shuttlecocks Gago threw onto the pitch, the more references were lost in the area. Racing saved Roger Martínez, but the plenary session was Adrián Martínez. He scored 15 goals last year with the Instituto shirt. Now, with 5 shouts and an assist in 5 matches, he has shown all his strength and has earned the title.

Massimiliano Salas runs everything, asks, assists and for Costas, “He’s better than (Enzo) Copetti.”

And there is a big change. It should not be forgotten that Leonardo Sigali and Johan Carbonero are injured (also Juan Nardoni, who participated in the Pre-Olympic) and in the next few hours Baltasar Rodríguez, who played in the national team that qualified for the Paris 2024 Games, will arrive. .

Nazareno Colombo returned to the pitch on Monday, recovering from a sprained right ankle, and Agustín Urzi, who recently arrived, is an alternative in attack.

It has a team, a hierarchy and variations. Godoy Cruz will come on Saturday and then “the neighbors” as Costas himself said. Impossible not to turn on the blue and white illusion.