Villa Soldati had its night on matchday 13 of Primera L-GBA Sur. Against a Monte Castro side that set out to do much the same — tactical balance, 4-4-2, with no pretence of revolutionising anything — the home side took the three points thanks to Nahuel Sotelo’s goal, a 16-year-old youngster who put the ball in the net when it needed putting there. It was not a fireworks display. It was a tight match where both teams recognised their limits and played within them. The difference lay in efficiency: Villa Soldati converted when the chance came, Monte Castro did not.
The hosts found space down the left through Bonifazi and down the right through Vannini, the gaps Monte Castro left behind. Bonifazi, at 28 and with that full-back stride he learnt on the pitch, had a solid match with a rating of 7.7. Vannini did his job as a right-sided midfielder, unpredictable when he went down the flank. In midfield, Besozzi (24 years old, 7.4) kept the game organised from the left, while Zanardi in the centre of defence, a 34-year-old veteran, oversaw the back line. The goal came from the side where the resources were: Sotelo, who arrived at Villa Soldati after a casual scouting trip on a dirt pitch, finished off what his team-mates had been looking for over ninety minutes.
Monte Castro were no lesser opponent, but they lacked punch. Franco Barbano in goal, with a rating of 6.3 and a yellow card that would merit review, had a quiet afternoon because Villa Soldati did not put him under extreme pressure. Andrés Lara as a central midfielder (16 years old, 6.5) tried to break lines but found himself caught in a match short on verticality. Gabi Benassi at right-back (30 years old, 6.1) carried out his role without any sparkle. Villa Soldati are left with a victory that sums up their season: no flourish but efficient, winning on the details. Monte Castro must rethink whether their organised football is enough to compete in this league.
Apolo fc came in with 0 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats in their last 5 matches.
Club Monte Castro came in with 1 win, 2 draws and 2 defeats in their last 5 matches.
In the last 2 meetings between Apolo fc and Club Monte Castro: 1 win for Apolo fc, 0 draws and 1 for Club Monte Castro.
Apolo fc (4-4-2): Juan Schwarz, Gael Bonifazi, Olivier Ortiz, Claudio Zanardi, Pedro Zambon, Adriano Besozzi, Ángel Villanueva, Jonathan Sequeira, Yoel Vannini, Ezequiel Coelho, Nahuel Sotelo.
Club Monte Castro (4-4-2): Franco Barbano, Miguel Escalante, Tincho Ávila, Adriano Giménez, Gabi Benassi, Javier Troncon, Rafael Mira, Andrés Lara, Emanuel Lobos, Yoel Pollini, Cristian Piotrowski.
In Primera L - GBA Sur, Apolo fc are in position 15 with 32 points; Club Monte Castro are in position 8 with 42 points. See the full table
Apolo fc ("Tatamiros"), with 1,575 fans. Home ground: Estadio Gran chito arena.
Club Monte Castro, with 1,842 fans. Home ground: Estadio Club Monte Castro.
Next match for Apolo fc: vs su proximo rival — Sunday 1 November at 01:00 GMT
Next match for Club Monte Castro: 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.