Bring on the Champions!

By: Scott | September 29th, 2007

On Sunday afternoon, our boys will trek west, to the edge of town, to take on the most recent champions of Argentina–San Lorenzo de Almagro. Though their form recently (14 points from 10 matches, 3 behind Argentinos) does not match the furious pace of last tournament, they definitely are still one of the most dangerous teams around. Any points earned here will be well won. The only major change from the team that celebrated in Boedo last June was the loss of Ezequiel Lavezzi, who is now at Napoli showing the world that he is a true world-class talent. Still, the attacking talent that San Lorenzo possesses is among the most powerful in Argentina: Gastón Fernandez, Andrés Silvera, and Daniel Bilos are all players who are a level above anything that Argentinos can offer. Looking up and down the roster, the only members of Argentinos’ starting XI who would have much of a chance of cracking the roster at San Lorenzo are Alvaro Pereira (of course), Andres Scotti, and Nico Navarro.

Unfortunately for us, Navarro is suspended for this match after an unnecessary red card against Newell’s. I did not discuss this in my write-up, but he committed a simple foul in the box and was given the boot, which means that Juan Ignacio Carrera (yeah, I don’t really know who he is either) will be between the posts. He looked good in the last twenty minutes of last week’s match, including saving the penalty. However, he is going to have a lot of responsibility and many balls to stop, given the propensity of Argentinos’ defense to simply let the other team kick the ball hard. Juan Alberto Sabia, one of the central defenders, who has really been playing well lately, will also miss the match with a leg injury. Leandro Fleitas, signed to play right back and then removed from that role after two matches due to poor performances, will replace him.

Basically, this one has the possibility of getting real ugly real quick. The attacking responsibilities will be in the hands of Gabriel Hauché and Alejandro Delorte. I haven’t seen any news on whether Gonzalo Abán will be available, but I have the feeling we will need him…I do fear the worst.

Starting XI: Carrera; Barzola, Scotti, Fleitas, Escudero; Cabrera, Battión, Ortigoza, Pereira; Hauche and Delorte.