Real Mataderos Reserves came out on top at home against Sportivo Once Sur with a 2-1 that, despite the favourable scoreline, felt more like a fair win than a display of superiority. In a matchday 20 fixture in Primera L of the GBA Oeste, the hosts made use of home advantage to see off a contest that was tight from start to finish, with both 4-4-2 line-ups seeking balance without giving up pressing in transition. Sportivo Once Sur arrived from the south with competitive intent, but it was not enough for points at the José María Minella in the west of the capital.
The tactical control of the match was shared. Real Mataderos managed the tempo from midfield, with Claudio Encina operating as the anchor from central midfield. The 33-year-old veteran, with that scar on his eyebrow marking his face, was the home side’s organiser, a distributor of the ball and responsible for cutting out the visitors’ moves in midfield. Federico Cuello, on the left, was lively in both phases, making use of his trademark two-footedness to bring unpredictability. His ability to strike with either foot forced Sportivo Once Sur to keep a close eye on his movement, though without creating any real danger in the first half.
The goals arrived in the second half. Santi Zardini, the 32-year-old Bahía Blanca centre-back, opened the scoring for the home side. The defender, with his neat reading of the game, took advantage of an action in the visitors’ box to score in a way that underlined his attacking presence in these reserve fixtures. Real Mataderos went ahead and managed the match from there, although Dylan Pessina, the 24-year-old striker from Rosario, still could not quite find the space he needed to put it to bed quickly. Pessina had his moments, but Sportivo Once Sur kept fighting.
The visitors took the blow but did not give in. Silvio Merlo, the Paraguayan from Luque, found a way to pull one back for his side. Freshly 24, the striker of few words and actions that speak louder than voices produced a finish that kept the team in the contest. With it 1-1 on the board, Sportivo Once Sur believed an away draw was possible, but Real Mataderos struck again. Pessina sealed the final 2-1 for the hosts, ending any visiting hope in the closing minutes.
Claudio Faud, the 21-year-old Patagonian left-back, was booked late on, a minor detail that did not alter a victory that Mataderos Reserves deserved to claim. The home side spent spells playing as if they were away from home themselves, but executed the right transitions when needed. Sportivo Once Sur leave empty-handed, though not disgraced in a GBA Oeste League that continues to show that matches are played, not written in advance.
Real Mataderos Reservas came in with 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 defeat in their last 5 matches.
Sportivo Once Sur came in with 2 wins, 0 draws and 3 defeats in their last 5 matches.
In the last 2 meetings between Real Mataderos Reservas and Sportivo Once Sur: 1 win for Real Mataderos Reservas, 0 draws and 1 for Sportivo Once Sur.
Full Real Mataderos Reservas vs Sportivo Once Sur head-to-head →
Real Mataderos Reservas (4-4-2): Zacarías Espinosa, Claudio Faud, Octavio Zamora, Santi Zardini, Enrique Rebollo, Federico Cuello, Claudio Encina, Omar Munarriz, Pipa Quintana, Cesar Argento, Dylan Pessina.
Sportivo Once Sur (4-4-2): Manuel Belmonte, Joaco Pollini, Lucio Aranguren, Kevin Saavedra, Mario Arce, Pichi González, Jorge Bonincontro, Cristian Iturbe, Nilo Rodríguez, Walter Bonaventura, Silvio Merlo.
In Primera L - GBA Oeste, Real Mataderos Reservas are in position 4 with 45 points; Sportivo Once Sur are in position 3 with 46 points. See the full table
Real Mataderos Reservas, with 1,592 fans. Home ground: Estadio Real Mataderos Reservas.
Sportivo Once Sur, with 1,783 fans. Home ground: Estadio Sportivo Once Sur.
Next match for Real Mataderos Reservas: vs su proximo rival — Sunday 1 November at 01:00 GMT
Next match for Sportivo Once Sur: vs su proximo rival — Friday 30 October at 18:45 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.