Without a win since October, Huracán ended a run of eleven Superliga games on Monday evening to provide some cheer at the Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó and it was no real surprise that Independiente were the visitors. If there was a team currently competing with Huracán for most out of form it is El Rojo and despite sneaking through in the Copa Sudamericana, Independiente slumped to a 1-0 defeat.
Lucas Pusineri made changes, bringing Andrés Roa and Juan Sánchez Miño to the midfield, and while Independiente dominated possession there was again a lack of clear scoring opportunities.
It had been the visitors that looked most likely to score in the first half but Huracán improved after the break and after threading from a couple of set-pieces, led with 53 minutes on the clock. A swift counter attack found Norberto Briasco and the forward’s low shot beat Martín Campaña at his near post.
Just as they did in Brazil last week Independiente turned to teenager Alan Velasco for inspiration but on this occasion the 17-year-old couldn’t help find a goal.
While Huracán’s relief was clear, it is now one win in ten for Independiente in the league and Pusineri must find a solution with what he has available before the start of the Copa Superliga.
Huracán 1 – 0 Independiente
Earlier in Paraná, Patronato held on for a valuable 3-2 win over Talleres.
Reported changes to relegation this season have already provided a boost and although Patronato remain in the drop zone for now, things are getting mightily congested at the bottom of the promedio.
Gabriel Ávalos headed the home side in front inside two minutes and when strike partner Cristian Tarragona tapped in a second midway through the first half, Patronato were coasting.
Things got even better after 67 minutes, Talleres defender Rafael Pérez caught on the ball and Lautaro Torres slotting in a third.
Three points looked certain and yet Talleres made it a nervy finish. A fine Tomás Pochettino goal pulled one back swiftly and Guilherme Parede scoring a second three minutes from time, left Patronato holding on.
With eleven games in the Copa to come and the prospect of only two automatic relegation places rather than three, Patronato won’t be alone in thinking they are enough to beat the drop.
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