Few imagined that San Lorenzo y Platense They could be among the four best of the 30 -team opening tournament. But there they are, ready to settle this Sunday from 4:00 p.m. New Gasometerwho will play the final on Sunday, June 1 in Santiago del Estero against Hurricane.
And almost nobody had them as candidates because San Lorenzo, who finished fourth in zone B (five points from Rosario Central, the leader), is also involved in A serious institutional crisis with its president accused of charging bribes and the squad pushed to press with a unemployment for lack of payment.
So much, the cyclone blows strong.
And because Platense, which ended sixth to 11 points from Central, already had in the round of 16 a rival that seemed out of its measure: Racing, in the cylinder. However, it would be the first step of what can be a real feat of Calamar, which already added another heroic blow by beating River in the Monumental. Always as a visitor, if San Lorenzo also goes down will be historical.
So much, the squid bites.
To add data, it can be added that in the annual table, plays the 16 dates of the regular opening phase, San Lorenzo was ninth and tenth platense.
So much, The two were going down favorites And one will be in the grand finale.
But beyond the numbers the two teams have reasons to be where they are. In fact, they won it on the court. San Lorenzo, defeating Tigre 2-1 and then Argentines (1-1 and 8-7 in penalties), who was one of the candidates to fight the title. The cyclone is a team molded by the experience and pragmatism of its coach Miguel Ángel Russothe Argentine ancelotti. Solid in defense from the central pair that integrate Jhohan Romaña y Gastón Hernándezpractical in the middle where the touch of distinction is contributed by the Spanish Iker Munianand economy in attack, where Andrés vombergar It brings power and goal. Impossible to forget the deployment and intelligence of Malcolm Braida.
By the subject of Russo, how will the New Gasometer full of the strong rumor that links his coach with Boca immediately?
Platense is also a team in the image and likeness of the technical pair that form Favio Orsi and Sergio Gómez. Two work trainers, who have been done from below but who have been gaining their continuity in First. They say in Saavedra that one of their various virtues is that they know the club from the inside, since both passed through Platense before as players.
The squid knew how to believe in himself and impose himself at the most difficult key that could be imagined: Racing in the cylinder (he won 1-0) and River in the Monumental (he won 1-0 until the discount and despite the bad performance of the referee Yael Falcón Pérez achieved the passage in the definition by penalties, 4-2).
There is a huge virtue: Do not collapse from injustice and adversity. Platense, also a solid team in defense, also has a huge conviction. In the background their captain stands out Ignacio Vázquez (How to forget your gaze in the void while Falcón Pérez did the draw for penalties?), In the duo with Oscar Solomon. They, well accompanied by others, banked Wonder Martínez, Maxi Salas, Franco Mastantuono (special mention for the Silva side in that task), Franco Colidio, etc.
The thermometer in the middle is called Leonel Piccoa 192 centimeters giant who is always in the right place. Later, Guido Mainero y Vicente Taborda They contribute good foot, but still running everyone. And the Paraguayan Ronaldo Martínez It is key in the Árero game and the last offensive stitch to get to Augusto Liotti.
What can happen this afternoon? The characteristics of the two teams invite you to imagine a closed match, in which the first goal (if any) sets the position of each. Because both San Lorenzo and Platense feel more comfortable giving the possession of the rival and looking for the spaces. But this is football, a sport full of surprises and variables. The only reality is that one of the two will celebrate being the finalist of the Opening Tournament.