The Academy prepares for the first leg of the quarter-finals and Fernando Gago has several problems to solve.
Over the past decade, Racing has become a regular participant in CONMEBOL’s continental tournaments. Despite its constant presence and having experienced several competitions with competitive teams, the Academy has not been in an international semi-final for 26 years. And in this 2023 he wants to change history in the Copa Libertadores.
After showing character in the round of 16 against Atlético Nacional, Avellaneda’s team faces a tough quarter-finals match against Boca, the same rival that eliminated them in this case in the 2020 edition.
The series against Xeneize starts next Wednesday, August 23 from 9:30 pm in La Bombonera. Meanwhile, the second chance will be played exactly one week later, on Wednesday the 30th at the same time, in the Cilindro.
THE NAMED RACING VS. MOUTH
Fernando Gago will lose a lot of weight in the first boy of the series: Roger Martinez he will miss the game in the Alberto J. Armando due to the muscle strain he sustained in the round of 16 rematch. The other who will be absent in the first leg will be Juan Ignacio Nardoniwho was torn apart in Colombia at the beginning of this month and aims to arrive in optimal conditions for the rematch.
Those who meanwhile will have no problem being there are the three left out of the squad for the Professional League Cup premiere against Unión: Gabriel Arias, Leonardo Sigali and Anibal Moreno they rested over the weekend as a precaution, but have no serious injuries. The other one that wasn’t in Santa Fe was Gonzalo Piovi, which was suspended locally, but not for international commitments.
In the series will also be available Juan Fernando Quintero and Agustin Almendra, who were not yet registered for the round of 16, but were already on the bona fide list of the continental tournament.
THE TRAINING OF RACE VS. MOUTH
Before the duel in La Bombonera, Gago faces an important question: which plan will he use. While the 4-3-3 is the DT’s favorite drawing, the Academy’s best performances lately came when he used a line of five defenders. And the doubt will remain until the last moment.
As for the names, the big doubt of the coach goes through the presence of starter van Almond, for two reasons: although the coaching staff sees him very well, the truth is that after a year and a half of inactivity, the midfielder returned to play an official match against Unión. In addition, Gago knows that Boca’s stadium will be more than hostile territory for the player, both on and off the field.
Meanwhile, the one who will definitely start from the couch will be Quinterowho also arrived at Racing with significant inactivity – five months in his case.
Anyway, the eleven are unknown for now.
Source: Goal