In Chile, as a visitor, Racing got a good win against Coquimbo Unidos by 2 to 1. The Academy suffered after a promising first half, but anyway they came back with the three points that leave them as leader of Group H of the South American Cup, where he has nine points out of nine at play. Once again, Gustavo Costas’ team became strong thanks to the forcefulness of its forwards, Santiago Solari y Adrián “Maravilla” Martínez.
The scene following the painful elimination from the League Cup after a 4-0 win over Belgrano was almost the same movie for Racing. As if that blow had not impacted the spirit of a team that is known for its streak. There is no other way to explain this great moment that those of Avellaneda are experiencing. There have been seven consecutive games (three for this tournament, three for the League Cup and one for the Argentine Cup) in which he takes the field and wins. It is no small thing for Argentine football that has irregularity as a common hallmark.
If in the recent past one of the great defects that Fernando Gago’s team seemed to have was its emotional fragility, this victory that it achieved in Coquimbo, a beautiful coastal city that is about 500 kilometers north of Santiago de Chile, seems to turn that around. page. First, because Racing recovered from that slap that meant ending a dream when it seemed to be at its best, as happened with the premature exit from the local Cup. Second, because when it seemed that they were going into the break with a comfortable 1-0 that even fell short of the difference that had been seen on the playing field, the surprising local tie came. And in the worst way: with a blooper starring defender Agustín García Basso and goalkeeper Gabriel Arias. The left-footed player touched inside the area for the captain who, handicapped by the poor state of the playing field, saw the ball pass under his sole.
The clock showed 43 minutes of the first half. Racing had that little time to recover. An angry attempt by the tireless Maximiliano Salas led to a penalty, something that has become a trauma in recent times, since the curse of Jonathan Galván’s missed shot in October 2022 has haunted him.
In 2023, Racing suffered two strong blows: it was eliminated in this way from the Copa Libertadores, against Boca, and from the League Cup, against Rosario Central. In 2024, until last night, I had had two chances. Against Sarmiento, at home, on matchday 9 of the League Cup: at the end of the match, goalkeeper Fernando Monetti won the duel against Juan Fernando Quintero and those from Junín took the victory. And in the Argentine Cup, Santiago Sosa also lost the duel against goalkeeper Lautaro Maldonado, from San Martín de Burzaco, from twelve steps.
But there is a name that seems to be willing to alleviate all racing’s sorrows: Adrián “Maravilla” Martínez. The striker with the 16 goals – this one, the first from a penalty – in 18 games with this shirt. The one who scored in the last seven games that coincidentally ended in wins. A machine.
The Academy walks with the arrow of morality upward. And that is due to the great moment of their attackers, especially Maravilla. In the last four games (Lanús, Bragantino, Belgrano and Coquimbo Unidos), before 10 minutes Racing had already taken the lead thanks to a goal from one of its forwards. Gustavo Costas found work in this direct team, which knows how to take advantage of the virtues and momentum of its attacking players. If you count the also offensive players Baltasar Rodríguez (1) and Juan Fernando Quintero (3), 30 of the 34 goals in 2024 were scored by their forward men, who are joined by Martínez (16), Salas (3) , Santiago Solari (2), Roger Martínez (4) and Joan Carbonero (1).
Since his arrival, Costas tried to differentiate himself from Gago discursively and in the field. He promised to be champion. And he put together a direct team that hurts with the forcefulness of its forwards. There is a ghost that still walks around the light blue and white half of Avellaneda. May Racing once again go through its best moment in instances that are not decisive. But that can only be known in the future. For now, the Academy is enjoying the victories.