Gabriel Milito and Diego Martínez, DTs of the Argentinos and Tigers.
The Argentinos Juniors and Tigers share a tremendous illusion, a good dream, but only one will make it to the Professional League Cup final. More than what will happen this Sunday afternoon on the Hurricane field from 4:00 pm (ESPN Premium and TNT Sports), no one can be blamed. Andrés Merlos was the referee.
It was about surprises, yes, no coincidence, that they got their place on the court, first qualifying in their respective zones and then eliminating two ironclad candidates in the quarterfinals. And as guests, against all odds.
The Argentines hit against Estudiantes at La Plata: they won 4-3 on penalties after 1-1 in 90 minutes and despite playing almost the entire second half with ten players.
Tigers hit Monumental by beating River 2-1, something few thought was possible. Until November, El Matador played in the Primera B Nacional and this was his first tournament since his long -awaited return to the top category.
But the merits of the two teams do not remain in the result, we must also assess their forms. Both Gabriel Milito and Diego Martínez got here fearlessly, without fortifying themselves in their defenses against rivals with better names and bigger resources.
The Argentines did not lose their audacity when Matías Galarza was sent off, ten minutes into the second half against the Estudiantes. He achieved passage through the penalties, but deserved to seal it earlier, at the time of regulation. Nothing less than against one of the best performing teams, not just on a local level.
Tigre lifted a remarkable first stage for River in Núñez, casting an anonymous image on Gallardo’s team. He then took full advantage of a mistake by Paulo Díaz, which Facundo Colidio so well pointed out.
Winning team does not hold? Milito could not cling to that phrase, as he had to make two forced variations due to the absences of Miguel Torrén (he reached five yellow cards) and Matías Galarza (removed from La Plata). Marco De Cesare will enter the central defender and general captain and Nicolás Reniero will enter the midfielder.
In the case of Diego Martínez, the doubt is in the middle: Alexis Castro or Ijiel Protti. While Matthew Retegui will be the starter at the top again.
Each team received 18,000 seats, 15,000 celebrities and 3,000 stalls, so 36,000 spectators will witness the semifinals.
In case the game ends up tied at the end of 90 minutes, there is no extension: they go directly to the meaning through penalties.
Kita
Stadium tickets, for the match between the Tigers and Argentinos.
= Probable formations
tiger: Gonzalo Marinelli; Lucas Blondel, Víctor Cabrera, Abel Luciatti and Sebastián Prieto; Sebastián Prediger and Ezequiel Fernández; Alexis Castro or Ijiel Protti, Cristian Zabala and Facundo Colidio; Matthew Retegui. DT: Diego Martinez.
Argentine Juniors: Federico Lanzillotta; Kevin Mac Allister, Marco Di Cesare and Lucas Villalba; Faust Vera; Thiago Nuss, Gabriel Florentín, Gabriel Carabajal and Mariano Bíttolo; Gabriel Avalos and Nicolas Reniero. DT: Gabriel Milito.
Referee: Andres Merlos.
stadium: Hurricane.
Start time: 4:00 pm
TV: ESPN Premium and TNT Sports.
Source: Clarin
