Fernando Gago, Racing coach, could give ownership to Juan Fernando Quintero and Agustín Almendra in the rematch this Wednesday at 9:30 p.m. against Boca for the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores de América. Almendra would integrate the midfield together with Aníbal Moreno as central midfielder. While the Colombian has chances to enter the offensive zone instead of Gabriel Hauche, as he did last week at La Bombonera in the first leg that ended goalless.
The two reinforcements participated last Saturday in Racing’s away win over Tigre 2-1 with the aim of gaining pace. Quintero even stood out with a goal and an assist and, like Almendra, he made merits to be considered by Gago. In addition to the former Boca, the other players fighting to make up the Racinguista midfield are the elegant Nicolás Oroz and the quick-moving Jonathan Gómez, who played from the beginning last week and have been having acceptable performances.
These players are joined by Juan Ignacio Nardoni, recovered from a tear suffered on August 3 in the 4-2 defeat against Atlético Nacional in Medellín in the round of 16. Although the former Union was always considered a starter by the coach, he lacks the rhythm of the game (he lost the second leg against the Colombians, the first leg against Boca and the first two games of the local tournament) for which, in principle, he would go to the bank. In any case, we will have to wait since Gago takes into account the importance of the player for the recovery of the ball and the generation of football.
In addition, the Racing coach is also awaiting the evolution of Colombian Roger Martínez -he is recovering from a muscle injury- to determine if he will be from the start or will be a substitute. Most likely the second. The attacker was an exceptional figure in the comeback against Nacional de Medellín (a goal and an assist in the 3-0 draw) but he missed the first leg at La Boca, where he was replaced by Maximiliano Romero, with a weak performance and quite resisted by the fans. In the event that Martínez does not arrive physically well, his place could be occupied again by Romero or Hauche, who would play as a center forward.
In defense the only change would be the introduction of Uruguayan Gastón Martirena for Tomás Rubio at right back. The likely formation would then go with Arias; Martyrena, Cigali, Piovi, Rojas; Oroz or Almond, Brunette, Gomez; Ojeda, Martinez or Rosemary, Hauche or Quintero.
Another recovered footballer is Leonel Miranda, who returned last Saturday against Tigre after being injured on November 6, 2022 during the final in which Racing beat Boca 2-1 for the Champions Trophy. “Lolo” left behind a torn anterior cruciate ligament associated with an internal meniscus injury in his left knee and will also go to the bench against Boca. But it is difficult for him to have minutes.
Racing has not reached the Libertadores semifinals for 25 years. The last time was in the 1997 edition, with Coco Basile as coach, when they lost to Sporting Cristal (3-2 in Avellaneda, 1-4 in Lima), later runner-up in the tournament won by Cruzeiro from Brazil.
The winner of the Argentine crossover will surely face Palmeiras, who thrashed Deportivo Pereira 4-0 in Colombia and will play their revenge on Wednesday, also at 9:30 p.m., in Sao Paulo.
2023-08-29 03:01:00
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