During the last year the Cuervos have shown they have a few aces on their squad (Sebastian Bordagaray, Juan Manuel Torres, Bernando Romeo and Pipi Romagnoli) which could have turn the tide on their favor, but something went wrong in the middle, and nowadays San Lorenzo's status is worrisome. Last week's victory over Independiente injected a new spirit in team's players, fundamental to reach the derby believing it’s possible to obtain the full scoring. Chulo Rivoira's Globo players have showed they're meant to fly high, and a victory this week might take them to the fifth position. This match means much more than three points for both combatants, who will take the glory?
A falling raven
The last weeks have been a nightmare for San Lorenzo, for Cholo Simeone's controversial exit from the team sank the Cuervos even further in the positions table with 14 points. Thanks to last week's unexpected victory over Independiente the team managed to escape from the bottom line, which would have become this Derby even more determinant for San Lorenzo.
There's an adagio in Argentinean football that says "a coach always obtain a victory on its first match" and once again it has proven to be true, granting San Lorenzo's players with a renewed spirit and hunger for glory, but their efforts will become worthless unless they're able to repeat their performance and shake the bottom for good.
Some changes will take place in the classic formation of the Cuervos. Cristian Gonzalez could have missed this game, leaving Wednesday's practice experiencing a strong pain in its right leg, but it seems he'll be able to be fully fit for this match. Nevertheless team's mid field play will be weakened with Juan Manuel Torres' absence, as the Chaco will be sidelined having forfeited team's practice two times this week.
The manager will go for a defensive formation, forcing Kily Gonzalez to adopt a defensive role joining Aureliano Torres in the mid field's defensive line. Bernardo Romeo will once again lead the offensive, even though his effectiveness has decreased substantially, scoring only two goals in the whole season. In the last four weeks the Cuervos scored only one goal, and without some changes it'd be almost impossible to break Huracan’s defense
A wondering balloon
The Globos have awakened and taken the league seriously. Obtaining 13 of the last 15 possible points assured Chulo Rivoira's team they have a shot at the top, as they trust team's former coach Miguel Angel Cappa will be able to stop Godoy Cruz, thus shortening the gap at a decisive moment.
With its best players team's coach is confident he can be relaxed on their trip to Flores. Gaston Esmerado's return to the squad will provide the aggressiveness needed to control the midfield, and thus we expect a clash of giants. Patricio Toranzo's experience will undoubtedly be an advantage for the Quemeros: he's still struggling to be called for the World Cup, where he might even get some attention from the European giants, and he understands the utmost importance of this game
The past is still creeping Huracan, for the team has been unable to replace Mario Bollati's solidity in the midfield defensive line, and this weakness can become lethal against the Cuervos. Team's captain Paolo Goltz bears with the responsibility of driving the ball to the strikers, and considering he's beaten River's goal three times he himself might be looking forward to give its team the victory.
Rivoira has found a diamond in the rough with Gino Clara, and the regularity he's giving to this young striker will pay off quickly, as he's almost become team's top striker having performed only in the last games. Surprisingly Gustavo Balvorin will not be within the starting eleven, though it is likely to see him during the second half exploiting his speed at the maximum against a tired defense.
Playing away the Globo had little effectiveness, scoring only six of their 18 goals. A sixth weak unbeaten can involve deeply the team in the title fight, and the flavor of doing so against their eternal rival can be intoxicant for team's followers.
Historical Facts
The Ciclon has undoubtedly the upper hand in the statics, having triumphed over Huracan 71 times over 151 matches, with 40 tied games. 277 goals were scored by the Cuervos against 200 by their rivals, but a look at the last years change the perspective; since 1998 13 matches were played, with 4 victories for each team and five draws.
Last Apertura the Cuervos made their trip to the south a feast, as their victory 4-0 was tattooed forever on the Ciclon's audience. This will be time of revenge for Chulo Rivoira, and he's not known for letting opportunities like this go away. The sky ain't big enough for the Cuervos and the Globos, who will fly the highest?
