In a key match for both teams in their aspirations to compete, Atlético Tucumán defeated Racing Club 1-0 in the 13th round of the 2024 League Tournament, generating delirium among their fans at the Monumental José Fierro Stadium.
After a very good pass from Pulga Rodríguez half an hour into the game, Renzo Tesuri scored the only goal of the match, which was broadcast live on ESPN Premium.
In the first quarter of an hour of the match, Gustavo Costas’ team generated several dangerous situations thanks to the fine left foot of Juanfer Quintero. At 11 minutes, the Colombian forced Tomás Durso with a free kick to his left side, and in the following corner, he almost scored an Olympic goal.
The former River player continued to control the game and, on a couple of occasions, assisted his compatriot Roger Martínez, who at 14 entered the area from the right and fired powerfully, forcing Durso to send the ball to the corner. And 60 seconds later, he anticipated in a corner kick, and his header went wide.
The Decano did not stay idle. At 18, Luis Miguel Rodríguez also showcased his magnificent strike and in a prepared play from a corner on the left, he placed the ball perfectly to Moisés Brandán, who volleyed from outside the area for a good response from Gabriel Arias.
Juanfer tried again with a corner kick and at 22, Agustín García Basso suffered a shoulder injury that forced him to leave the field. Leonardo Sigali came in his place.
Then at 30 minutes, the scoreboard opened: Pulga Rodríguez made a brilliant pass through the lines, Tesuri made the diagonal run and finished with great class against Arias’ advance for his 4th goal in the Professional League.
Racing continued to press with shots from outside, but neither Baltasar Rodríguez nor Quintero hit the target at the end of the 1st half.
More forwards and no effectiveness
In the second half, at 7, Facundo Mura led the counterattack with the ball under control, took a chance, and launched a cross shot that hit Durso’s right post.
At 18, Juanfer was again the protagonist, with a close free kick that Di Césare couldn’t deflect, and Durso saved with effort. At 25, through the same means, the substitute Bonfiglio nearly surprised Arias.
Racing’s best play came at 27, following a series of first-touch passes that culminated in a shot from Agustín Almendra, which the local goalkeeper deflected to the corner.
Costas piled on forwards in search of the equalizer that never came. Without the suspended Maravilla Martínez, La Academia failed again in an important match, as they did the previous week against Independiente, where they wasted a numerical advantage they had for an hour in the Avellaneda classic (0-0). A loss that leaves them shaken and with more doubts than certainties for what lies ahead: the quarter-finals of the CONMEBOL Sudamericana against Athletico Paranaense, after the break for the FIFA Date.
The opposite is true for the Decano, now just two points behind leader Vélez Sarsfield. Facundo Sava’s team has won 6 of their last 7 matches, achieved their fourth consecutive victory at home, and finished with an unbeaten record in 3 of the last 4 matches.
Quietly, with a lot of effort and humility, Atlético Tucumán dares to compete. Enough reasons for their fans to dare to dream.