Professional League Cup: why Independiente, San Lorenzo and Racing find themselves facing a complicated transition and on the verge of a nervous breakdown

THE League Cup It is a tournament that gives opportunities to everyone and, as a result, becomes treacherous. There are smaller teams that can get into contention if they can put together a winning streak. The closest example is that of Platense, which reached the final last year (lost against Rosario Central). That hope of the little ones, whose greatest revelation is now Barracas Central, is a pressure on the older ones. And there they were Independent, Racing AND Saint Lawrencesuffering its irregularities, for now closer to elimination than progressing to the quarterfinals and going through frenetic times, with key matches looming in the near future.

Independiente has an important score, but a complex present. The defeat against Deportivo Riestra was a hard blow. Behind closed doors, they classified them as “historical newspapers”. Shocked by what the team gave him back, coach Carlos Tevez did not speak after the fall and was tempted to give the players the weekend off as punishment.

Rojo de Avellaneda has only won one of their last 5 matches. The 1-0 defeat in the classic against Racing was the first blow. Then came the 2-2, full of controversy, against Barracas Central. That afternoon Tevez exploded against referee Pablo Dóvalo and the AFA. Days of uncertainty followed and there was even speculation that the manager would leave, even though the fans supported him: they applauded him like never before the 1-1 draw against River. But the fall against the humble Riestra marked a rupture.

The Independent doesn’t stop playing well. Tevez’s is a team that can have an excellent first half like against River and a lackadaisical game like Riestra’s. Rojo has 3 duels left: Atlético Tucumán (home), Banfield (away) and Talleres (home). The good news is that it depends on themselves: if they win all three matches, they will advance to the quarter-finals.

But first, on Friday Independiente will have to draw Deportivo Laferrere for the round of 32 of the Argentine Cup on the Lanús pitch. The match comes at an inopportune time. A doubt hovers: would Tevez tolerate an elimination against a team that plays in the Metropolitan B?

In San Lorenzo, Ruben Darío Insua has an ace up his sleeve: the Copa Libertadores de América. Playing in the top continental tournament is what keeps Gallego stuck in the Ciclón. “We are in the Libertadores thanks to him,” acknowledged Néstor Ortigoza, professional football manager. And he continues: “Ruben is always calm, he doesn’t like to be made fun of, and that’s it. I like having him as a coach because he is responsible and takes responsibility. He doesn’t shy away from questions, and when they ask him, he gets bigger. He is a coach from San Lorenzo. “People love him very much and we have to take care of him.”

Ortigoza’s words of support are not capricious. Days ago Insua had denounced a destabilization led from within his own club. “There must be someone concerned that things are not right. “I don’t know who he is, but I know he’s from here,” Insua fired back.

San Lorenzo’s performance in the Cup is even worse than that of Independiente. It almost depends on a miracle to qualify: if this Wednesday they don’t beat the league leaders Godoy Cruz, they would be practically without a chance. The 1-0 victory against Sarmiento last night brought calm. And the draw in the opening phase of the Libertadores helped to remember this. But a fall in front of the Tomb of the Gasometer can revive the waiting ghosts. What remains of the Boedo cast? Boca (visitor), Defensa y Justicia (local) and Central Córdoba (visitor).

And Racing got into trouble. The joy of the classic against Independiente seemed like the ideal scenario: the team won, liked it and scored. But they did not win in the following 4 duels: Platense (0-0), Sarmiento (0-1), Boca (2-4) and Defensa y Justicia (1-1). “I feel like things are going well, but as I always say you have to win. The fans and all of us want results,” explained Costas.

On Thursday the Academy will play in La Plata against San Martín de Burzaco for the Argentine Cup. It will be a complex duel because there is a lot to lose and little to gain. Then, the Cup will end with: Central Córdoba (away), Lanús (home) and Belgrano (away).

Among the so-called big teams, River leads Zone A and Boca must win the rescheduled match against Estudiantes to settle. If it is not imposed, everything will become complicated.

The League Cup enters its final stretch with three days of pure emotion. And the fate of the three giants will be up in the air.