1'With everyone fully switched on, opening seconds: the team keep it short, have a look and refuse to give anything away. There's a lot riding on this.
2'The defender commits a foul just as a teammate was starting to break clear. Time to look forward now.
2'🟨 Fair booking: Roberto Otamendi was late and left a mark.
3'A the opponent player is down after a heavy collision; play is stopped. The second half promises a different story.
3'🟨 The referee shows a yellow and the team now have to tread carefully in that area.
5'⚡ Pipa Anasagasti picks up the ball a long way from goal...
5'...nobody closes him down...
5'...shapes to shoot...
5'...and unleashes a THUNDERBOLT...
5'⚽ ⚽ WHAT A GOAAAL! Pipa Anasagasti makes no mistake, right in the top bins. 1-0.
6'The home side turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye.
13'A teammate darts in behind and the defence is left trailing in the slipstream.
15'The home side put the game to sleep in behind the holding midfielder, trying to tempt the away side out of their shell.
16'Pipa Anasagasti strikes it first time and leaves the opponent gasping for air. It's being played with gritted teeth.
17'The ball moves safely between the the away side shirts; what's missing is a bit of pace in the final third. The dressing room will have the final say.
18'Mirko Salim nips in just before the ball reaches a teammate.
22'Pipa Anasagasti takes charge of midfield and brings a bit of order to the chaos. You can see the work done on the training ground this week.
23'The effort from Adrián Friedman goes high; good intentions, the execution's up for debate.
25'The ball is doing the rounds: the away side are in no rush, letting the attack simmer slowly.
27'🎯 Eduardo Iturriaga runs at goal and shapes to shoot...
27'...hits it with his left foot...
27'Eduardo Iturriaga unleashes a left-footer; the keeper flies across and can only watch it go by.
28'The home side put the game to sleep between the lines, trying to tempt the away side out of their shell.
29'The home side manage the ball without giving it away, shifting the away side from side to side. The dressing room will have the final say.
30'The player goes over to the corner flag, places the ball and watches the movement in the box. There's a lot riding on this.
31'Coordinated pressing: one closes down, another blocks the lane and the third wins it.
32'The away side put the game to sleep down the right, trying to tempt the home side out of their shell.
34'Deadly counter from the home side: few touches, lots of space and a whiff of danger.
35'The home side move it about sensibly, with Marcelo Calabria as the side's compass. The home side are in a much better position after that.
37'There's a feeling that the next mistake could prove very costly.
40'🛡️ The defence clears the danger and keeps the ball.
42'The home side put the game to sleep out wide, trying to tempt the away side out of their shell. There's still a game on here.
46'After a hard-working first half, a tight first half; nobody gave anything away and the game is still wide open. The team are in a much better position after that.
50'Venomous through ball from Adrián Friedman; the away side were caught cold.
51'A teammate chases down the keeper, the crowd get right behind it and the home side are rushed.
52'Eduardo Iturriaga takes charge of midfield and brings a bit of order to the chaos. This game calls for calm heads.
53'Deadly counter from the home side: few touches, lots of space and a whiff of danger. This game calls for calm heads.
58'The home side put the game to sleep on the edge of the box, trying to tempt the away side out of their shell. The league table is starting to do its sums.
60'Effort from a teammate in the final third; it whistled past and left everyone with the shout stuck in their throats.
61'The away side manage the ball with all the know-how, shifting the home side from side to side.
64'The home side manage the ball with neat short passing, shifting the away side from side to side. You can feel the tension in every yard.
65'The ball moves safely between the the home side shirts; what's missing is a bit of pace in the final third.
66'Coordinated pressing: one closes down, another blocks the lane and the third wins it. The half-time team talk could tip the balance.
67'The opposing defender hesitates, the ball runs away and a teammate smells blood.
69'The home side put the game to sleep down the right, trying to tempt the away side out of their shell.
71'The home side stretch the pitch and make the away side chase shadows. The weather is playing its part.
76'The ball moves safely between the the away side shirts; what's missing is a bit of pace in the final third. That move gives us plenty to talk about.
78'The home side put the game to sleep down the right, trying to tempt the away side out of their shell.
83'The home side put the game to sleep through the middle, trying to tempt the away side out of their shell. This one could go either way.
84'Chino Etcheverry jumps out to press and squeezes the pitch as if by remote control. The league table is starting to do its sums.
87'The home side manage the ball with no messing about, shifting the away side from side to side. There's still a game on here.
90'With no margin left at all, the team leave with strong feelings; the opponent will have a few things to look at.
1 - 0Defensores de Rafaela