Let’s keep it going in La Plata

By: Scott | October 6th, 2007

Estudiantes de La Plata, who as recently as one year ago was on a magical run to a championship under the leadership of Juan Sebastian Verón and Diego Simeone, will play host to Argentinos on Sunday night. The team has changed significantly since then, but they still present a danger to any team.

The only doubt for Argentinos at the moment is whether Ortigoza will return to his spot after his one-match suspension, or if Peñalba will remain in his place. The decision does not appear to be that difficult to me or anyone else with the sense of sight in tact: Peñalba was often fundamental in keeping River away from Argentinos’ goal and moving the ball deftly upfield while Ortigoza is chippy, slow, and often out-of-position. Everyone else remains the same from the River match; Andrés Scotti remains sidelined with a knee injury, and Carruzzo will continue to fill in.

For Estudiantes, who sit in 17th place, with 13 points out of 12 matches (Argentinos are in 5th with 20 points in the same number of matches), the big news is that Verón will be playing. Laugh all you want, Chelsea fans…he’s often been spectacular since his return. They are an average team, especially with the loss of Mariano Pavone to Real Betis. Argentinos has played very avergaely on the road, and this will be a test of how well they can finish a strong campaign.

Lineups:

Argentinos: Navarro; Bárzola, Carruzzo, Sabia, Escudero; Cabrera, Battión, Peñalba or Ortigoza, Pereira; Delorte, Hauché.

Estudiantes: Andújar; Barroso or Desábato, Alayes, Domínguez, Alvarez; Pérez, Verón, González, Benítez; Piatti or Salgueiro, Maggiolo.