Independiente captain, Federico Mancuello signed off from domestic duties before his first international call with a inspirational performance in the Estadio Libertadores de América on Saturday night. The 25-year-old provided the catalyst for Independiente’s first home win of the season and first clean sheet, against an utterly inferior Arsenal side.
There were only two minutes on the clock when Lucas Albertengo found Mancuello completely unmarked after he cut inside from his left midfield starting position and Gerardo Martino’s most recent recruit made no mistake in smashing the ball with the outside of his left boot into the top corner. It was a superb finish from a player who has flourished under Jorge Almirón, hitting the ball with the confidence of a man who is adored by every single person wearing red in Avelleneda.
Arsenal were rocking and under El Rojo’s intense pressure they buckled. Jesús Méndez whipped in a cross from the right and Claudio Riaño planted a firm header past Óscar Limia as Martín Palermo’s despondent side looked on course for a heavy defeat.
Arsenal were able to weather the storm for the remainder of the first half but with Mancuello, Méndez and Diego Rodríguez controlling the midfield the momentum was much the same after the break.
Just two in front and with Independiente’s propensity to gift goals there was always an element of danger but shortly after the hour mark the result was put beyond doubt. Jesús Méndez picked out the run of Lucas Albertengo with a wonderful outside of the boot pass and the one of the league’s leading scorers poked the ball past the onrushing Limia for the third.
With time running out, Víctor Cuesta finally got the goal that he had come close to a number of occasions earlier when he headed in Mancuello’s free-kick. With the rout all but over, Almirón withdrew Mancuello to a standing ovation and although the captain will be missed next weekend, his performances have deserved such recognition.
The victory is a slight weight off El Rojo and Almirón and while the Independiente will no doubt have slept easier, Martín Palermo will be a worried man. The performance of his Arsenal side was one of the more inept in the Primera and he will not be afforded much time if there are not improvements.
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