Vélez does not forgive the poor night at UC

An unworthy first half of Holan’s dominant UC. Surpassed on all lines, subjected to pressure from the Argentines. The midfield greatly diminished in front of the deployment of his rivals. Pellegrino, in the Fortín coach, did his homework and understood that in order to cut the crossed circuit, he first had to hinder the work of Nacho Saavedra. Many times two players were seen on top of the center wheel, as an example. And with that, the Chileans lost that first clean pass.

With half the court lost, Católica almost did not approach Hoyos’ goal. Only feints of a clear occasion. A very different film from the one that was seen in the opposite area, where Matías Dituro rose as the best figure of the locals. With so much advantage in the game of Vélez, it was not fair that the partial advantage was given with a hand of Juan Fuentes, collected by the VAR, but it was. And Tarragona, at 17 ‘, opened the account and put a lot of pressure on the key. The trans-Andean team needed just one more goal to settle in the next round of the tournament.

Looking at individual returns, a lot of low points at UC. The wingers, Rebolledo and Parot, constantly beaten. Saavedra, very controlled. Aued, trotting, in one of those games where he believes that everything is solved on the right foot. Lezcano, inconsequential; Puch, irregular; Valencia, invisible, very much in debt in the mission to replace the inspired Zampedri, who is in quarantine for Covid positive. We had to improve a lot in the second half, so as not to jeopardize the passage to the semifinals so much.

Without making many tactical changes, but with greater conviction to stand in the opposite field, the university students did make a small quality jump in their game. Nothing brilliant, but enough to push Vélez back and haunt the Hoyos arch. The panorama became much clearer with the partial draw of Luciano Aued, after the hand of Tarragona. Minute 68, 1-1, everything looked better for the hosts. The good feelings, however, lasted very little, because at 73 ′, Orellano, a very wise change from the Argentine bench, took a shoe that left Dituro nailed: 1-2 and a penalty shootout appeared on the horizon.

The twentysomething’s goal put Católica on the ropes. The fear of penalties, the fear that the illusion will be broken by a bad night, the truth is that the trans-Andeans were very close to scoring the third and closing the key. The post, in fact, saved Dituro after Lucero’s header. Nothing could have been the very good goalkeeper crossed with another header from Lucero, who anticipated his mark and scored 1-3 on the last play of the game.

Thus ended the UC adventure in the South American Cup. When it seemed that everything was given to reach the semifinals, a weak performance ended everything. Vélez killed the illusion and the dream of an international cup. And, although it hurts the fans of the strip, in all fairness.

MATCH SHEET

U catholic: Dituro; Rebolledo, Lanaro, Fuentes, Parot; Saavedra (85 ′, Silva); Fuenzalida, Aued; Lezcano (78 ′, Buonanotte), Valencia, Puch. DT: A. Holan.

Velez Sarsfield: Holes; Guidara (68 ′, De la Fuente), Gianetti, Abram, Ortega; Galdames, Mancuello (80 ′, Álvarez); Bouzat (58 ′, Orellano), Centurión (69 ′, Lucero), Janson; Tarragona. DT: M. Pellegrino.

Goals: 0-1, 17 ′, Tarragona marks a penalty, after being charged to Fuentes; 1-1, 68 ′, Aued scores a penalty, by the hand of Tarragona; 1-2, 73 ′, Orellano takes a left-footed shot from outside the area that leaves Dituro stopped; 1-3, 90 + 4 ′, Lucero anticipates his mark and scores with a header.

Referee: Leodán González. He admonished Fuentes, Valencia, Puch, Dituro, Aued (UC); Abram, Centurion, Guidara, Ortega. At 90 + 5 ′, he expelled Lanaro in Católica.

San Carlos de Apoquindo: No audience.