None of the teams involved in the Copa Superliga’s opening day appeared particularly pleased to be there but San Lorenzo secured victory over Patronato to make a winning start in Zone A.
Ensconced in the relegation zone for much of the season Patronato have the cup fixtures to keep their top flight status intact and a wonderful Julián Chicco free-kick gave Gustavo Álvarez’s side the ideal start.
However the lead didn’t last long and a long ball over the top was misjudged by goalkeeper Matías Ibáñez to allow Adam Bareiro a simple equaliser.
It appeared as though that was how it would end but with five minutes remaining substitute Adolfo Gaich worked his way in from the left and his cutback was hammered into the bottom corner by Óscar Romero.
Stunned from slipping behind, Patronato were swiftly put out of their misery as Óscar Romero spotted Ibáñez well off his line and found the back of the net from his own half.
Whether the Copa Superliga continues over the coming weeks looks highly doubtful but San Lorenzo set the early pace in Zone A and Patronato remain in grave relegation danger.
Patronato 1 – 3 San Lorenzo
As do Gimnasia after their goalless draw with Banfield a little earlier in La Plata.
Until fifteen minutes before kick-off it wasn’t clear if the game would go ahead with both sets of players against the idea and Banfield manager Julio César Falcioni stating that playing behind closed doors only served to protect supporters.
Regardless after a slight delay the game did go ahead. When a small canine pitch invader is the highlight however, it would perhaps have been better not to bother.
The threat of sanctions from the league and possible point reductions was too greater a risk for the teams not to play yet the goalless draw didn’t really help either.
golazo argentino 