explode, Velez. Shout, Vélez. Delirious, Vélez. Finalist of the League Cup, Vélez. Yes, Velez. That team that last season had to wait until the last date to save itself from relegation. That team that until very recently was extremely affected by managerial problems. That team that in the first three dates of this same competition only added one point and that hit rock bottom on the third day with the 0-5 loss against River. That team that just over a month and a half ago, after visiting Atletico in Tucumán, was shaken by a complaint of sexual abuse against four of its players whose contracts were terminated in recent days…
This Vélez seems to be a team formatted against adversity, planned by a coach like Gustavo Quinteros, with a low profile but experienced and a winner. The fortineros coach was already champion in Bolivia with three teams (Blooming, Bolívar and Oriente Petrolero), in Ecuador with one (Emelec) and in Chile with two (Universidad Católica and Colo Colo). He has plenty of travel, tranquility and conviction. That’s why he never lost his cool.
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Nor did Vélez de Quinteros get out of control in the semifinal against Argentinos Juniors, in San Nicolás. As if fate in this match pushed them to confirm their ability to overcome obstacles, the Fortineros immediately lost one of their main offensive pieces, Braian Romero, who hit Nicolás Oroz and was sent off.
Vélez played with a man less from the 14th minute. Too much advantage against a rival like Argentinos, fresh, dynamic, modern. Likewise, the collective construction of Quinteros resisted with order, with effort, with heart. He also managed to generate a couple of clear situations.
On the one hand, Tomás Marchiori made a couple of very good saves to save Vélez. On the other side, Diego Rodríguez also became valuable with some flights. The score was not broken and they went to penalties.
There, in that series in which temperance is required, Argentinos started winning because the Russian Rodríguez blocked Juan Ignacio Méndez’s first shot. Then everything was balanced when Leonardo Heredia’s shot hit the crossbar and went out. Until Marchiori saved Luciano Gondou’s shot to give Vélez match point. And in the next execution Lenny Lobato got it right, making it 4-2 and unleashing the Fortinera madness.
An opportunity for the most modest
This League Cup, with a regular phase of 14 days with the 28 participants divided into two groups and with four per zone that qualify for the playoffs, has become an immense opportunity for the not so powerful teams. It doesn’t take much to be a champion. In fact, the final of the previous edition was starred by Rosario Central and Platense. Now Vélez has arrived in that last game, this Vélez who knows how to play against everything. On Tuesday the other finalist will be known: Boca or Estudiantes?
