For the Racing final with Estudiantes, Gustavo Costas will arrive with almost all of his players at his disposal (except Nacho Rodríguez, with an old sprain in his left ankle), which represents a very positive context: but what formation will the coach put in place this Saturday in Santiago del Estero, starting at 9 p.m.?
For the first time this week, the coach put together a practice in which he placed a starting team, something he will do again these days. In this last test, the coach stopped an 11 without surprises, and with only one variation with respect to the 1-0 victory over Boca in the Bombonera, with both from Maravilla Martínez: the entry of Santiago Sosa for Marco Di Cesare.
Santi’s presence means for Costas the recovery of a vital piece in his team. From the captain who became a leader and owner of a very high performance, with the fans’ recognition of his dedication. Sosa is back and it is great news after he served a suspension date for being sent off against Tigre for a double yellow.
But in this case, Santi’s entry marks a change that goes beyond name by name and is related to the tactical system. When Di Cesare leaves, after a solid task against Boca, Costas will leave the 5-2-3 and return to the 4-3-3 that he had been using in previous games on a sustained basis.
The doubt is clearing deep down
In the background there is another footballer who is available again after serving a one-match suspension because he also received a red card against Matador (for two warnings). But in his case he would go to the substitutes’ bench: in the formation that Cistas worked with this Thursday, the right back continued to be occupied by Facundo Mura. And this follows a logic: Facu is stronger in marking than the Uruguayan, which is why Costas considers it more convenient to use the former Colón to try to counteract the skill and speed of Cetré, an unbalancing winger.
On the other hand, Santiago Solari was also part of the starting lineup, after working differently due to the old discomfort in a quadriceps that prevented him from completing the classic with Boca.
In addition to Sosa and Martirena, Costas will recover Luciano Vietto. Since this Wednesday, Lucho has been training normally after a tear in the soleus of her right leg that she suffered during the match against Defensa y Justicia, and she is a regular to reappear on the bench.
The one who will continue as a casualty, that is, is Nacho Rodríguez.
The formation that Costas put in place for the Racing final with Estudiantes
Although it is nothing definitive, this possible formation emerged from practice for the Racing with Estudiantes final: Facundo Cambeses; Facundo Mura, Nazareno Colombo, Agustín García Basso, Gabriel Rojas; Juan Nardoni, Santiago Sosa, Agustín Almendra; Santiago Solari, Maravilla Martínez and Duván Vergara. The team will work this Friday morning and in the afternoon they will fly to Santiago del Estero.
Photos: Racing Press.
