Deportivo Villa Crespo Veteranos took the win on the opening matchday of Primera L against General Alvear de Once with a clinical edge that summed up the story of these first ninety minutes well. One-nil, on a pitch where both sides set up with similar systems but where the home side made the most of their chances. It was a tight match, one of those where mistakes count for more than virtues, and Villa Crespo gave nothing away. The goal came through Xavier Viva, the left-sided midfielder who made the difference after the break and showed why a scout picked him out in a neighbourhood friendly years ago. Right-back Walter Mazur turned in a solid display all afternoon, shutting down what could have come down his side, while at centre-half Cacho Simionato, just a lad of twenty-two, looked alert and composed throughout.
Midfielder Nicolás Vallejos was another pillar in the home midfield, keeping his head when General Alvear tried to press forward. The visitors, managed by Emanuel Molina in defence and with Mauricio Rotondo and José Couto up front, never found the opening. The experienced José Couto, at thirty-four, tried unsuccessfully to link up with his attacking teammates. Rotondo picked up a yellow card in his effort to do his bit for the team, but the pressure never turned into any real threat. Tato Sassi, the forward who arrived almost by chance years ago after a kit man spotted him in a friendly, had chances to add to the lead but his finishing was off.
Villa Crespo take the three points from a round where, beyond the balanced line-ups, they were able to stay in control without any need for flourish. General Alvear leave with nothing, with the feeling of having played an acceptable match but not an adequate one. In this Primera L, where every point counts from the outset, the winners write the first line and the losers learn afterwards.
In the last 2 meetings between Deportivo Villa Crespo Veteranos and General Alvear de Once: 0 wins for Deportivo Villa Crespo Veteranos, 2 draws and 0 for General Alvear de Once.
Full Deportivo Villa Crespo Veteranos vs General Alvear de Once head-to-head →
Deportivo Villa Crespo Veteranos (4-4-2): Luis Serrano, Lito Arichabaleta, Cacho Simionato, Elián Ulloa, Silvio Romiti, Xavier Viva, Pancho De Santis, Nicolás Vallejos, Walter Mazur, Rodolfo Zapata, Tato Sassi.
General Alvear de Once (4-4-2): Kevin Sassi, Alexis Aizaga, Antonio Zumpano, Emanuel Molina, Claudio Gallardo, José Riquelme, Chacho Bianchi, Coco Granado, Salvador Altuna, Mauricio Rotondo, José Couto.
In Primera L - CABA, Deportivo Villa Crespo Veteranos are in position 11 with 39 points; General Alvear de Once are in position 10 with 39 points. See the full table
Deportivo Villa Crespo Veteranos, with 1,603 fans. Home ground: Estadio Deportivo Villa Crespo Veteranos.
General Alvear de Once, with 1,725 fans. Home ground: Estadio General Alvear de Once.
Next match for Deportivo Villa Crespo Veteranos: vs su proximo rival — Sunday 1 November at 01:00 GMT
Next match for General Alvear de Once: 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.