The celebration of the Matador, after the definition of penalties. Photo: Juan Manuel Foglia
Victoria is having a party. From the famous Palacio Ducó venue, Tigre fans were burning their throats with screams and singing – some were also crying – because their team was only one step away from winning the second First Division title. As in 2019, Matador will play the final with Boca. That occasion was the Super League Cup and he won it. This Saturday is the Professional League Cup and they will be looking for another Olympic round. Along the way, the Argentinos Juniors remained, with one missing they tied it 1-1 almost in time and forced penalties on the Huracán field, in another soccer party with the same bias and no incident. Out of 12 steps, the most accurate is Tiger and that’s why he came up with the game that everyone wants to play.
Who will dominate whom? That is the big question that must be clarified in the rivalry of styles expressing popularity as a flag. And the clash between these two semifinalists with defined identities has not been easy in answer to that question that generated expectations. Because the successor to high blood pressure was the Argentines of Gabriel Milito. But gradually, Diego Martínez’s Tiger matched the arm wrestling and twisted his rival’s arm, taking advantage of the bands. Not to mention when he stayed with another because of Gabriel Florentín’s ouster.
Aboard their classic 5-3-2, the Argentinos pushed hard with Thiago Nuss who launched more into the right lane than Mariano Bíttolo on the left, with Fausto Vera clearly in the middle, with Florentín moving and Gabriel Carabajal with a bow between his brow and brow. Carabajal had two shots from outside, with no success. Those from La Paternal were looking to play well from Federico Lanzillotta, who recovered from the opponent’s ground as soon as possible. That intensity was maintained for half an hour. And at the time they failed to make a difference on the scoreboard. They are also not close.
Alexis Castro was key in the game: he made it 1-0 and caused Florentín to be dismissed. Photo: Juan Manuel Foglia
Tiger grew from his side. On the rise of their wings, where Cristian Zabala tries to surprise by breaking the mold and appearing at one point, where Matthew Retegui has shown himself to be dynamic among central defenders. In the centers he created some danger and so began to exchange hands on the cold and sunny autumn afternoon in the Parque de los Patricios.
Florentín’s unnecessary kick to Sebastián Prediger further deepened this favorable curve for Victoria’s staff. Referee Andrés Merlos did not charge a foul and allowed the game to continue in favor of Tigre. But then he advised Florentin. However, he received the call from the VAR. Merlos went to look and corrected himself: he dismissed the yellow card and showed the corresponding red card.
Beyond the moments of supremacy, on one side and the other, throughout the first half there was no clear situation of danger in the areas. But the Victoria cast used their extra man and after the halftime break the scales rose. Zabala looked up and saw the diagonal of the center to the left of Retegui. The ball went to him. The striker was able to bring down the middle and Alexis Castro backed away just to get away and mercilessly define the small area.
The 1-0 gave Tigre security that was not given to him along with the extra players. On the scoreboard advantage, Martínez’s leads are looser, more stable with the ball at their feet. It is assumed that as tamers of the battle, the matadors chose to spin the ball as much as possible. And in this work the main man is Zabala, of great deployment. Possession defense is the premise of a more serene and stabilized Tiger, who will have to wait for the Argentinos to play all for everyone in the final period.
And that is the Bug. Lost for lost, he goes to the front. Milito signed to stay three net down and add people to the attack. They gritted their teeth and the people of La Paternal came to the front. Gonzalo Marinelli made a mistake at the low start and almost exhausted the draw if not for Abel Luciatti’s recovery. This is a warning of things to come …
Tigre lost his job and deeply regretted it. With three more left, Gabriel Avalos nailed the tie and once again made it possible to dream less, as in La Plata. But this time he was prevented by penalties. And the Matador, after suffering, celebrated again.
The penalty that Reniero missed gave Tigre a pass
Source: Clarin
