Villa Lugano and Real Caballito Reservas shared the spoils in a match that had all the hallmarks of a small-ground derby: intense, evenly poised, without much in the way of sparkle but with that density that characterises football in the GBA Norte. Both teams lined up in identical formations, 4-4-2, and with balanced mentality, which pointed to a bruising contest where the midfield would be battleground territory. So it proved. The fixture between these two reserve sides unfolded without either camp really taking off, though there were moments when each had the chance to take more than a point from La Matanza.
Aaron Porras, Villa Lugano's left-back, was the main man in the home side's goal. At 28 and with a rating of 7.2, Porras had an active afternoon in his attacking role, and the goal he scored reflected his solidity in the game. It was not spectacular, but it was effective, the sort that settles matches when everything is locked down. Real Caballito Reservas responded with composure. Pichu Anchordoqui, the Mendoza-born centre-back aged 30 who brings bags of experience, was the one to level matters. The defender, with a rating of 7.2, netted a goal that ensured the visitors did not leave empty-handed on foreign ground. Anchordoqui has a lifetime of rough neighbourhoods in his bones, of dirt pitches where you learn football with your teeth clenched, and that was reflected in his ability to be in the right place at the right time.
The midfield was where the match lines were drawn. Jesús Parra, Villa Lugano's Uruguayan holding midfielder, and Chino Aldecoa for Real Caballito Reservas fought for every square metre with seriousness. Parra, now 30, showed the reading of the game that marks out midfielders who know the unwritten rules of neighbourhood football. Aldecoa, also 28, carried out his role as organiser without any pretence of genius, something Real Caballito made good use of in its defensive structure. Ian Berman, the visitors' left-back, was another with a constant influence. The Rosario-born 23-year-old moved with ease down his flank. Tiago Bravo, the Brazilian midfielder aged 25 with a rating of 6.5, provided the assist for the equaliser, which shows that although his performance was not among the most eye-catching, he knew how to be involved in the decisive actions.
What this 1-1 made clear is that both sides have solid structures, players with experience who know how to handle themselves in these metropolitan football battles. There was no clear superiority from either side. Villa Lugano failed to build a lead they could protect at home, and Real Caballito Reservas took a positive away result without needing to produce brilliant football. The draw was fair. On matchday 18 of the Primera L of the GBA Norte, both teams take away a point that will probably leave them satisfied enough, though without the satisfaction of victory.
CJ Villa Lugano came in with 0 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats in their last 5 matches.
Real Caballito Reservas came in with 0 wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats in their last 5 matches.
In the last 2 meetings between CJ Villa Lugano and Real Caballito Reservas: 1 win for CJ Villa Lugano, 1 draw and 0 for Real Caballito Reservas.
Full CJ Villa Lugano vs Real Caballito Reservas head-to-head →
CJ Villa Lugano (4-4-2): Simón Bugliani, Aaron Porras, Toto Ferrari, Xavier Chamorro, Santino Fernández, Noé Molina, Tobías Vassallo, Jesús Parra, Oliverio Escalante, Chacho Merlo, Víctor Bettega.
Real Caballito Reservas (4-4-2): Tiziano Verde, Ian Berman, Pichu Anchordoqui, Ramiro Bernardini, Stefano Sarmiento, Cristian Gallardo, Chino Aldecoa, Tiago Bravo, Negro Nader, Facundo Berazadi, Gael Selvaggio.
In Primera L - GBA Norte, CJ Villa Lugano are in position 10 with 39 points; Real Caballito Reservas are in position 11 with 38 points. See the full table
CJ Villa Lugano, with 1,565 fans. Home ground: Estadio CJ Villa Lugano.
Real Caballito Reservas, with 1,623 fans. Home ground: Estadio Real Caballito Reservas.
Next match for CJ Villa Lugano: vs su proximo rival — Sunday 1 November at 01:00 GMT
Next match for Real Caballito Reservas: vs su proximo rival — Sunday 1 November at 01:00 GMT
This match was played by two real managers on ELDT, the free online football manager game. Take your own club from the bottom all the way to the top flight.