River fell 1-0 to Hurricane this Friday night at the Tomás Adolfo Ducó, within the framework of the 12th date of the Professional League Cup. Although, despite the defeat, the Millionaire will close the day in qualifying positions for the quarterfinals of the competition and even depends on himself to reach the definition stage for the title.
But how is the outlook? At this moment, Zone A is led by Argentinos Juniors, with 24 points. It is followed by Barracas Central with 22 and, then, River, with 21. In fourth place (the last to qualify) is Vélez, also with the same number of units as Millonario (Martín Demichelis’s team has a better goal difference with +13 compared to Fortín’s +1).
Thus, given that there are only two games left, if River adds five points (it would reach 26), it will qualify for the quarterfinals without depending on anyone. The next match they have is against Rosario Central and closes against Instituto in Córdoba.
Of course, the game that River will have to pay attention to this Saturday will be Talleres – Vélez, given that they are equal on points with Fortín and the T is right there, in fifth place, with 19. They will also have to give it a try Keep an eye on Independiente – Atlético Tucumán, given that Rojo has 18 and could equal Millo in points.
Although its situation is not simple, Independiente has its destiny practically in its hands: three victories will catapult it to the playoffs unless a very complicated combination of results occurs. The team led by Carlos Tevez will then visit Banfield (another rival out of the fight) and will close their participation in the Libertadores de América against Talleres.
That clash in Avellaneda on the last day could be a head-to-head for the classification, although it will not be the only match in which the points will have a special value because they will not only be added to one’s own pool, but will also be subtracted from the potential foreign harvest: in the last three dates, there will be seven direct duels between the seven teams that are fighting for the four places in the playoffs (another four have mathematical chances, although they are remote).
What Boca, San Lorenzo and Racing need to qualify
In group B, Lanus y Godoy Cruz They got a good lead: both have 23 points and +9 goal difference. Those led by Ricardo Zielinski have scored more goals (10 against 4), although they have also played one more match: they already tied 2 to 2 with Unión on Wednesday in the duel that opened the 12th round, so the Mendoza team will jump to the top if on Monday they add against Platense in their visit to Vicente López.
Defensa y Justicia took a step that could be fundamental this Friday by beating Estudiantes de La Plata in Florencio Varela and finishing third with 20 points.
Behind them runs a platoon of six teams packed into three units. For now, the one that occupies the other classification position is Estudiantes (18 and +3), which surpasses Newell’s (18 and 0) by goal difference, although the people from La Plata have one less game: they must complete the Jorge Luis Hirschi match. duel on the 11th round against Boca that was suspended 27 minutes into the first half due to Chilean midfielder Javier Altamirano fainting in the middle of the playing field. They were 0-0.
At the door of the qualifying zone was Unión, which on Thursday squandered a two-goal advantage against Lanús, ended up equalizing and now has 17 points and +2. The same number of units, although with a worse difference (0), totals Defensa y Justicia, for now sixth in this group.
Boca is seventh, with 16 points and +5, but it depends on itself: if it adds 10 of the 12 beans it will have at stake, it will enter the quarterfinals. He will also do so if he gets 9 and Defensa y Justicia (17 and 0) does not win the three remaining games, all against direct rivals: Estudiantes, San Lorenzo and Newell’s.
Of course: the team led by Diego Martínez will have a very complicated fixture. He will host San Lorenzo on Saturday, visit Newell’s in Rosario and close his participation in this phase against Godoy Cruz in La Bombonera. Before the last date, he must play the 63 minutes against Estudiantes in La Plata.
Much more complicated is the outlook for Racing (15 and +5) and San Lorenzo (15 and -1). Both could advance by achieving six points, although to do so they would need a phenomenal series of results. But they could also be left out of the decisive stages even if they obtain the nine points in dispute if Godoy Cruz and Lanús get 3, and Estudiantes and Newell’s gather 7.
Those led by Gustavo Costas will face Central Córdoba in Santiago del Estero on Saturday and then host Lanús and visit Belgrano. Those led by Ruben Darío Insua will appear at Bombonera on Saturday (a setback there would shatter their hopes), they will be home against Defensa y Justicia and will close against Central Córdoba in Santiago del Estero.