With another three goals from Adrian MartinezRacing beat Central Córdoba of Santiago del Estero 3 to 1, in a fundamental victory to keep alive its chances of getting among the four best in group B and moving forward in the League Cup. Is he second hattrick in this semester of Maravilla (previously, in front of San Lorenzo in El Cilindro), which caught up with the Colombian Miguel Angel Borja at the top of the scoring table, both with ten goals. Thus, the Academy stays afloat thanks to the goals of its number 9, although it is still outside the classification zone.
Racing reached the decisive part of the semester without margin. If the League Cup playoffs begin in three weeks, for the Academy the knockout stages will be brought forward three dates: the Gustavo Costas They know they are obliged to add all the points from now until the end of the regular phase to maintain the hope of getting into the quarterfinals. Perhaps that could serve as an incentive for the poor performance he showed in Santiago del Esterofrom where he brought what he went looking for: three units that he achieved thanks to Martínez’s three goals. But once again it left many doubts regarding the collective performance.
In addition to the goal that gave them the lead, they could have scored a few more goals in the first half. The crossbar denied the scream Facundo Mura after a good left kick and Maximiliano Salas He missed a free header at the height of the six-yard box. That’s why the difference with which he went to rest was minimal. A 1 to 0 that was explained above all by the forcefulness of Wonder Martinez, the man who has sustained the Academy so far this year. Something that was confirmed at the beginning of the second half, when he reappeared in the area to score 2-0. Regarding the end of the game, when the visitor suffered after Ferroviario’s stoppage time, Martínez appeared again with a definition of an expert.
The 31-year-old from Campania was the second reinforcement of the dozen that Costas received in the last transfer market. He arrived with a low profile. Beyond the fact that he came from a great season with Institutein which he had been one of the scorers in Argentine football, seemed like a bet that came to make him feel the rigor of the competition for the position at Roger Martinez. The left-hander, however, overshadowed the Colombian and became Racing’s goal man: He has 11 shouts in 13 games with the academic shirt. And in the League Cup he scored 10 of the team’s 16 goals. More than a half. A key contribution. Except for the one he scored in La Bombonera in the defeat against Boca There were always so many for the Academy to add three: before San Lorenzo, Newell’s, Independiente, San Martín de Burzaco and Central Córdoba. In four of those five, he also scored 1-0.
The subtlety of Maravilla Martínez in Racing’s third goal
“Very happy for the victory, we needed it to continue fighting to get among the four. We got the goals but we know there is still a long way to go. This was the first step. The team always had character, we had mistakes but we were able to take the three points. For my goals I always say that God is there. I had four left and I got three“said the scorer, hugging the ball that he took as a reward for the three points.
So far this year, Racing He has in his favor the two good wins in the classics against Saint Lawrence (4 to 1 in the Cylinder) e Independent (1 to 0 in the Libertadores de América). But not much more. This is shown by the standings and also by their performance. Because of the squad, because of the hierarchy of their surnames, the Academy is obliged to occupy a place among the best four teams in zone B. But he stumbled too many times in these 11 dates. And now, just when the Copa Sudamericana starts and the calendar begins to tighten, he must take an exam without recovery every three days. Passed the first.
The best of Racing’s victory in Santiago del Estero
Now the academic agenda is that tight. Next Thursday, in Paraguaylaunches the illusion in the South American Cup ante Sportivo Luqueño. The following Sunday, before Lanusas a local, a key stop is played in the League Cup. On Wednesday the 10th, receive Bragantinoof Brazilin what is anticipated to be one of the most important matches in Group H. Then, before Belgranoin Córdobawill close the regular phase of zone B of the League Cup. All or nothing.