Indep. Parque Centenario2 - 3Juventud San Cristóbal

Independiente Parque Centenario had everything in place to take all three points at home, but Juventud San Cristóbal showed on the pitch in Primera L - GBA Norte that when teams dare to play with the ball, the goals almost end up coming on their own. It was a match in which both sides rolled out the 4-4-2 with an even mindset, aware that league football does not forgive timidity. The home side pressed from the outset, taking advantage of being at home, but found in the away defence a resistance that, though it broke at several points, was enough for the final steal. Two goals for Independiente Parque Centenario were not enough against San Cristóbal’s efficiency, as they knew how to punish every error with cold-blooded precision.

Claudio Spada, the 29-year-old centre-back who grew up on Patagonian rough pitches where he learned to read the game with both feet, scored one of the home side’s goals and was active in the build-up from the back. Giuliano Bustinza, the 30-year-old Brazilian midfielder who arrived at Parque Centenario almost by chance in a friendly trial, also scored for his side, showing that ability that marks him out to appear between the lines at just the right moment. Víctor Barba, the Argentine winger from Merlo known as "El Zurdo", completed the home side’s attacking effort with an assist that kept hope alive until the final minutes. However, the numbers do not lie: Independiente Parque Centenario could not contain the away attack and their two goals were not enough on the scoreboard.

Bauti Zaffari was the undisputed standout of the match. The 25-year-old left winger from Mendoza, with a rating of 8.4, scored two goals that set the tempo for the away win. His left foot from the left flank was a constant problem for the home defence, and in every movement you could see the precision that earned him a call-up without hesitation once the coach saw him play in that trial where he laid on two assists. Octavio Cardozo, the right-back from Resistencia who is only 20 but already uses both feet with ease, just as his blacksmith father taught him, also chipped in with a goal that proved key to the comeback. Elián Valenzuela, the 34-year-old veteran who keeps his old boots like relics from eleven years at the club, was the defensive pillar that allowed the lead to be held on to during the moments of greatest home pressure.

The match was decided by San Cristóbal’s ability to make the most of the space. Juventud San Cristóbal arrived away at Independiente Parque Centenario’s pitch intent on playing their own game, and although the home side had spells of dominance, the visitors were more effective when the ball reached them in finishing areas. Nahuel Saliba at the heart of defence and Cacho Ballarini up front maintained the balance needed for Bauti Zaffari to have the space he required out wide. It was a cracking, goal-filled match in which the side from the north zone made the odd mistake that San Cristóbal did not forgive, taking advantage of every chance with the coldness of a side that knows there are no second chances in the league.

In the last 2 meetings between Indep. Parque Centenario and Juventud San Cristóbal: 0 wins for Indep. Parque Centenario, 0 draws and 2 for Juventud San Cristóbal.

• Juventud San Cristóbal 1-0 Indep. Parque Centenario
• Juventud San Cristóbal 1-0 Indep. Parque Centenario

Full Indep. Parque Centenario vs Juventud San Cristóbal head-to-head →

Indep. Parque Centenario (4-4-2): Gabi Benevento, Ethan Argento, Claudio Spada, Ismael Kowalczyk, Kevin Zambrano, Eric Trapani, Christian Zimmermann, Víctor Barba, Edgardo Arrarte, Giuliano Bustinza, Santino Bressan.

Juventud San Cristóbal (4-4-2): Ivo Bollini, Elián Valenzuela, Ariel Tamargo, Nahuel Saliba, Octavio Cardozo, Bauti Zaffari, Mauricio Castelli, Rubén Giménez, Rodolfo Villegas, Ian Rotondo, Cacho Ballarini.

In Primera L - GBA Norte, Indep. Parque Centenario are in position 6 with 43 points; Juventud San Cristóbal are in position 3 with 48 points. See the full table

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Indep. Parque Centenario, with 1,679 fans. Home ground: Estadio Indep. Parque Centenario.

Juventud San Cristóbal, with 1,891 fans. Home ground: Estadio Juventud San Cristóbal.

Next match for Indep. Parque Centenario: vs su proximo rival — Sunday 1 November at 01:00 GMT

Next match for Juventud San Cristóbal: vs su proximo rival — Sunday 1 November at 01:00 GMT