Writes Marcos Figueredo
The province of Córdoba is the land of the quartet, and – of course – Villa María is no exception. But yesterday afternoon, the Almirante Brown neighborhood Pozo showed that the quartet can also be football.
In an entertaining match almost from start to finish, both River and 9 de Julio knew that they were direct rivals in search of qualification to the round of 16. On the local side, the return of Federico Cipolat in defense meant that Julián López could occupy the central midfield position, something that paid him very good dividends.
Beyond being in need, both bet on winning more than zero in their goal. And, when the goal comes quickly, it is an extra spice. This is what happened after 3 minutes: long ball to Marín, who appeared as a “9” and showed his ability despite being a defender. Chest, hat and great definition against an Alex Reartes who had no time to react.
The patriot was wounded in his pride and did not want to waste time. In the next play, with an attack that ended at the feet of left back Esteban Canelo, the tie almost came. The ball was lost very close to the far post.
The hot flash passed and River settled better on the field, with Cipolat going up to try to partner with Matías Sánchez on the left, and with the tireless Gigena on the right, while the visitor could not get the ball and both Bustamante and Coria, two who You know, they were isolated from the game. Pedraza, the ex-Española, was forced to go down to have contact with the round.
At 15 minutes, López demanded Reartes after a corner and the shot almost as it came. But the game was still 1-0 and the patriot became encouraged again, knowing that River had been showing defensive shortcomings, especially on dead balls. Thus, Giorgis headed behind everyone, and the ball hit the outside of the net (19′).
And the tie came: as happens many times in this sport, River had it and due to a mistake, 9 de Julio came out quickly and Romero beat De Castro, who, hurt by the blow, ended up committing a penalty. The experienced left-hander Matías Bustamante changed it for a goal (21′).
But the game gave no respite: the local team came out looking for it again and a closed cross after a free kick almost ended in the partial 2-1. The figure of Reartes was beginning to grow, as he sent a shot from Gigena to the corner, and another shot to Gómez, who, like the previous date against RG, complemented well with Sánchez.
At minute 33, a triangulation between Julián López, Gómez and Sánchez once again ran into the rival goalkeeper’s cover. And, at the end of the first half, Reartes again: Gigena reached the end and chose to shoot at the goal despite having little angle. Nobody could handle the 1 visitor.
More gunpowder
In the complement, both teams also generated danger from early on. After 2 minutes, Gigena shot wide, and in the next play, Bustamante, who would connect better with his teammates, found Romero. There was also a lack of precision in the definition.
The eighth minute was key in the development of the match: first, the visitor had the victory with Coria’s shot after a pass from Bustamante. Oliva seemed to have touched it, but they scored a goal kick. Almost immediately, 9 de Julio was in a bad position and at the last man, the referee sent off goalkeeper Reartes, who had been the figure. Rodrigo Alcántara entered, perhaps a little cold, and was surprised by the great low free kick that Dino Gagliese took to make it 2-1.
This time, 9 de Julio seemed to have been beaten and Sánchez had the third. But Alcántara vindicated himself and avoided a new fall from his goal (16′). The Lazartes came in on the visit, and in a back-and-forth match, now River was the surprised one: the defense was left very open and Cristian Lazarte was left one-on-one with Oliva. The incoming player defined perfectly in a cross way and made the Easter sympathizers delirious.
Far from calming down, River continued searching and now 9 de Julio began to bet on the counter, taking into account that it had been a draining match and they had one less man. Alcántara took a closed cross to the corner, and after some changes, López threw cross and away from the visitor’s defense line for the surprise appearance of Sánchez. Mati directed the header very well and made it 3-2 for River (32′).
From there, the local team, who had deserved more in the first half, sought to finish it off. The entered Leguizamón had the fourth and raised the shot (34′). Cipolat was quick to finish (36′), and Gagliese tripped over the ball when he was comfortable finishing (43′).
Football has these things and River almost paid dearly for it: near the end, a very well executed free kick by Bustamante left the entered Santino Sánchez facing the goal. Oliva prevented it, sending it to the corner.
So much was the pitcher to the fountain that finally, already in added time and against, a combination between Gómez and Ferreyra meant that Gagliese had the goal at his mercy. This time, the scorer did not fail and he scored the final 4 to 2.
There are two dates left, but it was celebrated as a classification. For River, the quartet is also football.
The referee – Edgar Acosta
Good. She only cut stocks when necessary. He prevented the cards and was correct both in the penalty for 9 de Julio and in the expulsion of Reartes.
The figure – Julián López
He was key in the assist for the 3-2 victory that gave the team peace of mind. He collaborated in defense, gave almost all the passes well and finished on goal when he could. Gagliese and Sánchez also stood out. In the visitor, Reartes and Bustamante.
2023-09-25 16:00:00
#quartet #football
