All is not well at Independiente and despite progressing to the last 32 of the Copa Argentina when the supporters cheer the opposition off the pitch and heckle their own team it does not bode well. Jorge Almirón is a manager on borrowed time at present and after a run of four matches without a win in the Primera, elimination at the hands of a side from the Torneo Federal B would have most likely been the nail in the coffin.
In the Estadio Mario Kempes in Córdoba it was lowly Alianza de Coronel Moldes who for the majority of the game looked to be advancing to the next round. Juan Reynoso’s early goal stunned Independiente’s second-string side but despite dominating possession El Rojo failed to create many meaningful openings. Many of these fringe players should have been playing to make Almirón take notice and force a way into the starting eleven but almost nobody came out of this positively.
It took until the 85th minute for Independiente to find an equaliser when young substitute Cristian Ortíz headed in a rebound and this forced the match to penalties.
Having come so close and working so hard over the 90 minutes perhaps the occasion finally got the better of Alianza as three failed penalties meant Independiente easily won the shootout. There is an obvious relief for El Rojo to be in the next round but the performance will have done nothing to improve the atmosphere at the club. Banfield away in the league is next before Boca Juniors visit the Estadio Libertadores de América and the clásico de Avelleneda. Without marked improvements and positive results from these matches it is difficult to see Jorge Almirón lasting much longer.
golazo argentino 