Lanús showed their first card of the year on Tuesday in a triangular tournament against Vélez Sársfield in the José Amalfitani. The Apertura champions continued where they left off the league season, playing well and running out 2-0 winners against the hosts, who were playing their first match of former Under-20 selección head coach Hugo Tocalli’s reign.
The match was the first in the three-team Copa Ciudad de Buenos Aires (‘Cup of the City of Buenos Aires’), another of the friendly invitational tournaments that make up the pre-season programme for those teams outside the ‘Big Five’. The truth was that not only Lanús but also Vélez both had encouraging signs to take from the match, given that they were returning to football after over a month off for the summer.
Young forward Facundo Coria showed some impressive touches and a ‘good attitude,’ according to Olé, and Germán Montoya also looked sharp in goal. In the end, however, it was the attacking power of the champions that told, as Lanús made clear they won’t be betraying the verve and style which brought them a first-ever title last month. Diego Valeri, the player of the Apertura and reportedly coveted by Inter in Italy, bagged the first goal in the 40th minute, whilst Rodolfo Graieb doubled the lead from the spot in the 85th.
The contest continues on Wednesday as Lanús take on Estudiantes de La Plata, who then play Vélez in the closing match on Monday.
Hasta El Gol Siempre 