Atlético Burzaco Sur1 - 0
Defensores La Esperanza
846 fans in the stadium · gate receipts: $1,008,000
Match report
Atlético Burzaco Sur took a deserved win on the afternoon in Burzaco, with a narrow 1-0 victory over Defensores La Esperanza in a match where both sides kept their shape and competed earnestly on matchday 6 of Primera E of GBA Sur. The result was a reflection of what was seen on the pitch: two 4-4-2 set-ups that largely cancelled each other out, where the difference lay in the crucial moments and in the ability to execute when the chances came. The home side made the most of playing at home to press at key moments and managed to take all three points in a contest that was never hugely exciting, but certainly tactically engaging.
Emanuel Bertolini, the nineteen-year-old goalkeeper born in Resistencia, had a quiet but alert afternoon in the Burzaco Sur goal. The young keeper showed assurance when coming off his line and concentration when needed. In defence, Nahue Berlusconi worked hard, while in midfield Thiago Mascherano, the 36-year-old central midfielder, was the brains of the home operation. With almost two and a half decades of experience in the Lanús neighbourhood where he grew up, Mascherano distributed the ball intelligently and was key to maintaining the defensive balance of the Burzaco side throughout the ninety minutes.
The goal that made the difference in the afternoon came courtesy of Bruno Castro, who scored the only goal of the match. The 29-year-old striker from Rosario, accustomed to solving problems from his father's motorcycle workshop, was ruthless when his chance came. The assist was down to Lisandro Bruno, the veteran 34-year-old Brazilian forward who arrived from Recife and showed his ability to read the game in the closing stages, moving the ball precisely to where Castro was waiting to finish.
For the visitors, Defensores La Esperanza never gave up but struggled to find any real clarity in attack. Fernando Fernández, the twenty-year-old right-back from Merlo, carried out his defensive duties without too much trouble. Ángel Rodrigo, the 19-year-old Chilean centre-half, was forced into action on several occasions and ended up booked for his intensity. In midfield, Sebastián Flores, the thirty-two-year-old central midfielder with that distinctive scar on his chin from his futsal days, tried to stem the flow but could not create many attacking moves for the Esperanza side.
It was the kind of match that says more about a team's consistency than its talent: Atlético Burzaco Sur knew when to press, when to sit back and when to send their attacking cards forward. The home win is valuable in this part of the competition, and the hosts secured it without exposing themselves too much. Defensores La Esperanza return empty-handed but with no shame, in a contest where nobody gave anything away and everything had to be earned through work.
Form guide
Atlético Burzaco Sur came in with 0 wins, 1 draw and 4 defeats in their last 5 matches.
Defensores La Esperanza came in with 0 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats in their last 5 matches.
Head-to-head
In the last 2 meetings between Atlético Burzaco Sur and Defensores La Esperanza: 1 win for Atlético Burzaco Sur, 1 draw and 0 for Defensores La Esperanza.
Full Atlético Burzaco Sur vs Defensores La Esperanza head-to-head →
Line-ups
Atlético Burzaco Sur (4-4-2): Emanuel Bertolini, Gonzalo Esposito, Nahue Berlusconi, Mauricio Muñiz, Matías Ríos, Enzo Riva, Martín Garnacho, Thiago Mascherano, Maximiliano Foyth, Lisandro Bruno, Bruno Castro.
Defensores La Esperanza (4-4-2): Marcelo Russo, Hernán López, Leonardo Ferrari, Manuel Dybala, Valentín Castro, Enzo Ortiz, Sebastián Flores, Fernando Fernández, Lautaro Marchetti, Ángel Rodrigo, Lionel Acosta.
Where they stand
In Primera E - GBA Sur, Atlético Burzaco Sur are in position 4 with 51 points; Defensores La Esperanza are in position 14 with 26 points. See the full table
Other results from matchday 6
About the clubs
Atlético Burzaco Sur ("El Club el chiqui tapoia"), founded in 1962, from the Burzaco neighbourhood, with 2,337 fans. Home ground: Estadio Burzaco S.
Defensores La Esperanza, founded in 1923, from the Quilmes neighbourhood, with 1,161 fans. Home ground: Estadio Quilmes.
Coming up
Next match for Atlético Burzaco Sur: vs su proximo rival — Saturday 31 October at 13:15 GMT
Next match for Defensores La Esperanza: vs su proximo rival — Saturday 31 October at 13:45 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.