Tuesday night saw Estudiantes and Lanús qualify from Group 2 of the Copa Libertadores; on Wednesday, they were joined by San Lorenzo. who were under pressure before kickoff, but looked more than comfortable by the time the final whilst arrived. Los Cuervos had to win against Caracas to stand any chance of qualifying, and Gonzalo Bergessio settled nerves after just quarter of an hour. Thereafter, it just got better for Ramón Díaz’s boys.
Early on, Caracas were the more dominant side, but every time San Lorenzo got a foot on the ball, the Venezuelans looked uncomfortable. This discomfort was fully exposed in the 16th minute, when Adrián González floated in a centre from the right which was headed down by Diego Placente before being stabbed home, inside the six yard box, by Bergessio. San Lorenzo relaxed immediately. They still didn’t look entirely convincing at the back, Placente at one point blocking a cross from the right and sending it out for a corner when, if it had got past him, there were two unmarked Caracas forwards waiting for it in the box.
Fortunately for San Lorenzo, the visitors were feeling more generous themselves. Andrés D’Alessandro won the ball in the midfield and spread it wide to Sebastián Méndez, who crossed right to the far side for Bergessio. The goalscorer’s cross for Néstor Silvera was met not by his strike partner, but by Caracas goalkeeper Vicente Rosales. In the second half, San Lorenzo soaked up what little pressure Caracas exerted on them with ease, and looked dangerous on the counter – the third goal again arrived courtesy of Rosales, whom TyCSports‘ website perhaps a little cruelly named ‘the man-of-the-match for Ramón Díaz’s side’. Rushing out to clear a long hoofed ball back up the pitch, Rosales swung for the ball outside his box, missed it by an absolute mile, and left Silvera to slot it home from an angle to put the result beyond what few lingering doubts remained.
San Lorenzo qualify in second place from Group 1, with ten points (3 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses). Cruzeiro of Brazil are top with eleven (3 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss), in spite of their reserve side getting tonked 4-1 by Real Potosí in Bolivia. Caracas are third with 7 points (2 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses) and Real last, with six (2 wins, 4 losses).
For the goals, check back tomorrow night.
Filed under: Argentine football, Football, Football clubs, Results | Tagged: Argentine football, Bergessio, Copa Libertadores, D'Alessandro, Placente, Rosales, San Lorenzo Caracas, Silvera, South American football
Oh…how I miss Gonzalo “Wayne Rooney” Bergessio.
If he was still at Racing, we would be out of the relegation battle already.
He is probably the most underrated player in Argentina right now.
Too bad he couldn’t quite cut it at Benfica. They bought Oscar Cardozo, Freddy Adu and, along with some forwards they already had, Bergessio didn’t have much chances.
But he is like the Argentine Wayne Rooney. His work-rate is second to none and he’ll chase EVERY ball to the last consequences.
Work a little bit on his finishing and we’re talking about a potential National Team forward. He’s still very young and given a chance in an European side, he’ll put any team’s supporter in his pocket in no time and be a Carlitos-Tevez-like player -in terms of work-rate and momentum gathering-. A fan favourite.
Roy Eliasson , Tis is what it takes get aget a player like Rooney The Times newspaper reported that Newcastle were close to signing the young star for £18.5 million, a fact later confirmed by Rooney’s agent. Manchester United, however, were the successful club in signing the young talent. Rooney handed in a transfer request to Everton and on the evening of 31 August 2004, Rooney signed for Manchester United after a deal worth around £31 million (£49 million including wages) was agreed. The deal was concluded just hours before the transfer deadline.
Roy Eliasson wrote Do you really think we can gat a guy like Rooney? No chance , Maybe when he is old and tired like Beckem. Roy Eliason
Roy, Seba isn’t suggesting Racing, or indeed any Argentine club, should try to sign Wayne Rooney…
Roy Eliasson Wrote well duh they cant get Rooney but what do you think of the big game this weekend?