Racing faces test to maintain leadership in Copa Libertadores
Racing will face a character test on Thursday as they seek to stay on top of Group E in the Copa Libertadores. In their third match, they will host Vasco da Gama at the Cilindro de Avellaneda, who come with the clear goal of rescuing at least a draw. The match will start at 19:15, with Paraguayan referee Ulises Mereles and televised by Fox Sports 2.
Racing needs a victory to confirm their good performance in the tournament. It is always important to get points at home to facilitate the path to the knockout stages. Even more so when the next two matches in Rio de Janeiro and Belo Horizonte are on the horizon.
The team led by Eduardo Coudet showed their efficiency and firepower in their debut with a resounding 4-2 victory against Cruzeiro. They then obtained a 1-1 draw in their visit to the University of Chile, before showing some ups and downs that caused them to fall behind in the race for the top positions in the Superliga, with consecutive defeats against River Plate and Defensa y Justicia.
Neri Cardozo is unavailable due to a strong hamstring strain, and they consider it not worth risking him physically despite his physiotherapy and magnetotherapy treatments in the last 48 hours.
Although Brian Mansilla was tested as a left-back on Monday, the coach finally decided to keep Ricardo Centurion in that position and include Augusto Solari, who can provide better defensive support, in the starting lineup.
Augusto Solari, the replacement for the injured Neri Cardozo.
There will be another change in the team. Matias Zaracho will replace Diego Gonzalez, who was sent off against the University. Nevertheless, the main focus is on the recovery of top scorer Lautaro Martinez, who has scored 9 goals at the Cilindro this year but has failed to score in the last three matches.
In their debut in the Brasileirao, Vasco da Gama defeated Atletico Mineiro 2-1. With the confirmed return of Ecuadorian defender Frikson Erazo, the squad arrived with the absences of Paulinho, who is injured in an elbow, and midfielder Thiago Galhardo.
"The team is well prepared physically. We know the need to add points and we know what we have to do on the field of play. Our team has quality, but we have to match their determination. Racing has a very strong attack, it will be a good match," analyzed Erazo.