Peñarol vs Vélez Sársfield Match Preview
Velez Sarsfield visits Uruguay to take on Peñarol at the Centenario. A special clash for Uruguayan striker Santiago Silva, who declared he used to follow Peñarol's eternal rival Nacional, but his fanaticism stopped "as soon as I started playing there, I didn't like it a bit". Ricardo Gareca's offensive trident (Maxi Moralez, Juan Manuel Martinez, Santiago Silva) might not be enough to break through Peñarol's sturdy defense.
Peñarol's attack referent Juan Manuel Olivera knows the Argentinean squad will be a tough nut to crack in Uruguay. He shares a common past with Santiago Silva, and they'll be meeting in the field after nine years, when Silva played for Nacional and Olivera for Danubio in the final of the Uruguayan Tournament back in 2002.
Velez Sarsfield is leading the Torneo Clausura with 30 points, and is in excellent form to lock horns with Peñarol this Thursday. Augusto Fernandez and Fabian Cubero were unable to train normally with the team during the week, but they're expected to be fully fit to perform in Montevideo.
Diego Aguirre's Aurinegros are aware an early goal could give them the necessary advantage to tame Velez Sarsfield. Can they succeed?