05/31/2024 3:24 p.m.Updated on 05/31/2024 9:19 p.m.
Qualified for the round of 16 of the Sudamericana as the best first of all the groups (will define the home series), Racing will now seek to defend another leadership: that of the Professional League. Leader in the table, the Academy will host Deportivo Riestra this Saturday, since 6 p.m., with some important forced withdrawals, a doubt and a resounding start after four games: that of Roger Martínez.
The Academy lost Adrián Martínez, its great figure, for this match. The great scorer, author of 20 goals in 24 games played, suffered a sprained right ankle, was ruled out for this game and may also miss the 13th game against Lanús, prior to the stoppage in the Copa América tournament. . But Roger, Maravilla’s replacement, has also been doing his homework very well. And with great merit: he has been shaking the nets when entering the second half.
For all competition, The Colombian has scored eight goals in the last 12 games, Numbers that mark his good moment against another’s goal and generate peace of mind for the fan. In total during the year he faced 17 matches, but only six at the start because Maximiliano Salas became an undisputed piece for the coach and Roger, a replacement option. The Colombian’s immediate predecessor as a starter was recorded on May 12, in the 4-4 with Belgrano.
Roger has eight goals in his last 12 games played. EFE/ Juan Ignacio Roncoroni
Another player that Racing will be missing will be Johan Carbonero. When he had begun to gain rhythm and get closer to his best version, the winger suffered a strain in the femoral biceps of his left leg and will be out of the field for about two weeks. And here a question arises about who will step into his place.
For current events, Agustín Urzi would have an advantage because he was seen at a good level in the last games and added more minutes than Santiago Solari, the other candidate. The former Banfield played the last five games, two at the start (against Belgrano and Tigre). Solari, in turn, was able to reappear in the recent crossing with Sportivo Luqueño by entering the ST, after a bilateral adductor insertional tendinopathy that left him on the sidelines of the clashes with Argentinos Juniors and Tigre.
The absence of Juanfer Quintero in Racing
On the other hand, Costas will not have Juanfer Quintero, given that the Colombian joined the Pre-selection of his country facing two friendlies (on the 8th and 15th against the United States and Bolivia, respectively), prior to the Copa América; It won’t be in front of Laús either, of course. In any case, the midfielder today is a substitute for Costas, so his absence does not represent a major problem. In fact, the club accepted the request of the Colombian Federation to release the player one day before the game with Riestra. It is estimated, then, that Baltasar Rodríguez, with a good performance against Luqueño, will continue among the 11.
Juanfer Quintero will be another casualty because he joined the Colombian Pre-selection. Photo: Racing Press.
Likewise, Agustín Almendra and Germán Conti will continue as casualties. The midfielder has just missed practices this week due to a feverish syndrome that kept him resting at home. While the defender is going through the final stretch of the recovery process from the tear in the femoral biceps of his right leg.
Possible Racing formation against Deportivo Riestra, with Roger and without Maravilla
Thus, the Academy could be formed as follows: Gabriel Arias Gastón Martirena, Marco Di Cesare, Agustín García Basso, Gabriel Rojas; Juan Nardoni, Santiago Sosa, Baltasar Rodríguez; Maximiliano Salas, Roger Martínez and Urzi or Solari.
