A few minutes ago, Flamengo he hit Racing and won the first leg semi-final of the Liberators with an own goal by Marcos Rojo in the 88th minute. However, it doesn’t matter to Gustavo Costas. The academic coach sits at the press conference and says: “They have a great team, they have a bigger wallet, they have many more things. But we are more alive than ever. And at home we are going to risk the dream of being able to go to Lima… No, we are going to go to Lima.”
There, in Lima, the Peruvian capital, the Libertadores final will be played in a single match. Racing wants to be there. They will need to beat Flamengo in the second leg, which will be played in the Cilindro. It is true that Flamengo makes an immense difference to Racing in budget and individual hierarchy, both in quality and quantity of performers. However, the Academy put up a fight and was very close to rescuing a tie.
Martirena (Racing) disputes a ball with Luiz Araujo
The best of Racing was seen in the first half, when it had the most energy, when Agustín Almendra was able to handle the ball. In that period, he came close with a shot from Santiago Solari that sent Agustín Rossi flying. In turn, Flamengo worried Facundo Cambeses with a half turn from Pedro.
In the last 30 minutes of the game, when Racing began to feel the physical wear and tear and when Flamengo began to make changes without giving up hierarchy, the Brazilians launched themselves with greater conviction into the attack and with the help of Jorge Carrascal they generated real danger.
There the goalkeeper Cambeses appeared in action with a couple of huge saves. In addition, Flamengo had a goal disallowed for a minimal offside. Maybe history was consumed and Racing resisted. Until the 88th minute arrived, another save by Cambeses and the rebound that landed at the feet of Carrascal. The Colombian took the shot, which went wide but ended in a goal because it brushed against Marcos Rojo and went in.
TECHNICAL SHEET
1 – Flamengo: Agustín Rossi; Guillermo Varela (m.83, Emerson Royal), Danilo, Léo Pereira, Alex Sandro (m.55, Ayrton Lucas); Erick Pulgar, Jorginho, Giorgian de Arrascaeta (d.72, Samuel Lino); Luiz Araújo (m.55, Gonzalo Plata), Pedro (m.72, Bruno Henrique) and Jorge Carrascal
0 – Racing Club: Facundo Cambeses; Gastón Martirena, Nazareno Colombo, Marcos Rojo, Gabriel Rojas (d.58, Facundo Mura); Santiago Sosa, Bruno Zuculini, Agustín Almendra (d.64, Juan Ignacio Nardoni); Santiago Solari (m.87, Matías Zaracho), Adrián Martínez (m.87, Adrián Balboa) and Tomás Conechny.
Goal: 1-0, Marcos Rojo in pp (m. 88)
Referee: Venezuelan Jesús Valenzuela cautioned Ayrton Lucas, Santiago Sosa and Zuculini with yellow.
Incidents: First leg of the Copa Libertadores semi-finals played at the Maracaná stadium in Rio de Janeiro before 71,738 spectators.
Racing was overcome with anger over the draw that escaped them in the end, but they are excited to turn it around on Wednesday, in the rematch. There the academic fans will be many more than the 5,000 who were at the Maracaná. El Cilindro will be full of Racing crazy people, it will be painted light blue and white and it will surely be a party. For it to be complete, with victory and qualification to the Libertadores final, it will be key for the players to play with the same passion and conviction with which Gustavo Costas spoke. A fabulous revenge is coming.
