By WALTER EPÍSCOPO
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The anger in the Gimnasia locker room was unanimous after the match against Temperley, because when it seemed that the three points were going to El Bosque, the local team equalized shortly before the end. But when it comes to self-criticism, it is clear that if the draw hadn't come earlier, it was due to poor aim from the Celeste players, and also thanks to some timely and spectacular interventions by Alexis Martin Arias.
In recent matches, the Tripero goalkeeper seems to have regained the very good form he had shown some time ago and didn't have in the last semester. In the night at "Alfredo Beranger", he was responsible for practically avoiding the local team from equalizing until the end. But this doesn't matter much to Martin Arias, who couldn't avoid feeling disappointed about the victory that slipped away. "The truth is that I am bitter, I felt that we were taking the three points," commented the man born in the city of Pellegrini.
"For this point to be useful, we now have to beat Banfield at home," added the 25-year-old mens sana goalkeeper, who analyzed what happened against Gasolero with this media outlet.
WORDS WITH ANGER
- What feeling remains after a match like this that seemed like you were going to win?
- The truth is the feeling is one of great anger. I think that at that point in the match when they equalized, we had it almost under control, and in a fortunate situation for them, the player finished quickly, I was caught off guard, and they found the equalizer. It's a shame...
- Nevertheless, in the second half, Temperley had some dangerous chances. Do you feel that in no match of Sava's era had you been played on so much?
- The opponent obviously plays too... Their desperation to equalize I think led us to pull back a few meters, and yes, we did go back a few meters. But as I said before, the bitter feeling remains because we had the match almost under control in those last few minutes. It was very close, we felt that the three points were ours.
I prefer not to touch a ball but for the team to win. Still, I appreciate the congratulations."
- Maybe it hurts because there was little time left, but Temperley had chances to equalize before.
- Yes, for sure. That's why I said that in the last few minutes, it was almost under control. Then during the second half, they had goal situations where they maybe deserved to equalize.
- Why do you think they played on you so much? It was strange because it hadn't happened in the previous matches since Sava arrived.
- I also think it was the virtue of the opponent. They had almost all their players defending and sent forwards upfield, and obviously if they put one more forward, we have to put one more defender back.
THINKING ABOUT BANFIELD
- Can you make an assessment of the match beyond the result?
- I think at times we dominated, at times they dominated. There are always things to improve, now we have the opportunity during the week to analyze everything, to look at things closely, correct the mistakes that were made, and then try to win against Banfield on Friday.
- Did you expect the match to turn out this way? Did it go as planned?
- I think obviously you always plan to win. We were winning 1-0, then game situations made us retreat a bit, which obviously isn't ideal. We will have to work on that, and next time we'll try to defend a bit higher.
- Do you think these two points you lose at the end could come back to haunt you in the fight to qualify for the Copa Sudamericana?
- Yes, really. We knew that it was crucial to beat Temperley in order to get closer. Many teams at the top had drawn, and it was the ideal moment to get closer. But well, we are left with the fact that we rescued an away draw, we didn't lose, and this point will be important if we beat Banfield at home now.
- After the match, when analyzing your good performance, Sava said he believes that maybe you won't be at Gimnasia for much longer because you have the level to play for the National Team and in Europe.
- (Smiles) Well, I appreciate the compliments. You always try to respond to the team, nothing more. And I tell you the truth, I am disappointed, I am not happy because I had a good save. I wanted to win. To keep the three points. I am satisfied with my performance, but honestly, I prefer to not touch a single ball and win... I prefer that they don't shoot or I don't catch any balls and keep the three points.