Defensores de Retiro Centro made the most of home advantage and put Cooperativa Abasto to the sword with an attacking display that left no doubt on the pitch in Primera L - GBA Norte. The final 4-1 is more than just a scoreline; it is the reflection of a team that found its rhythm from the first half and knew how to punish every away error with a precision that is anything but casual. The balanced line-up put out by the home side was devastating in attack, while Cooperativa Abasto's men from Mendoza never managed to find the compass to compete properly.
Hernán Grilli was the great star of the afternoon at left-back. The 29-year-old from Bahía Blanca, the one who keeps his debut boots in a bag and can barely get them on any more, scored two goals and was a constant hurricane down the flank. His physical presence, combined with a rating of 8.4, made him a permanent problem for the Abasto defence. It was not just power, but coordination: Grilli appeared in the right places when the team needed to stretch the lead, something players of his experience manage almost automatically. Damián Vitale, the 36-year-old playmaker who carries the scars of a thousand neighbourhood battles, also left his mark with a goal and an assist. The Mendoza native still has the goods, that fine touch and reading of the game that does not age as quickly as the body. Alongside him, Zacarías Velez at right-back carried out a solid holding role, while Bautista Arcuri in defence, barely a 19-year-old teenager, showed defensive composure with a contained performance that earned him a booking but nothing more serious.
At the other end, Santino Azkue pulled one back for Cooperativa Abasto with a consolation goal. The Mendoza left-back, 32, came from that nursery family where everything grows slowly, and in this match he grew little. His goal allowed the visitors not to leave completely empty-handed, but it was the only bright spot in a team that never found any continuity. Stefano Boldini, the 29-year-old striker also from Mendoza, provided an assist but could not do any real damage with his two-footedness, which he was once told suffers from indecision. Cooperativa Abasto played with the same 4-4-2 shape as the home side, but the execution was a world apart: lacking creativity in midfield, vulnerable at the back and slow in their passing transitions.
The difference in quality was vast, and the numbers bear it out. Retiro Centro showed why it picks up points at home so consistently: it plays simply, vertically when needed, and knows that every broken ball forward can end in a goal. Santi Olivares, the 16-year-old youngster born in Tigre, did not even need much of a starring role for his side to win comfortably. When a full-back scores two goals and the playmaker adds a goal and an assist, the rest are merely supporting cast. Cooperativa Abasto leaves the outskirts with nothing to show for it, with no answers for the matches ahead, and Defensores de Retiro Centro strengthened its place in the table with a rout that leaves no room for interpretation.
Club atlético retiro de santa fe came in with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat in their last 5 matches.
Cooperativa Abasto came in with 2 wins, 3 draws and 0 defeats in their last 5 matches.
In the last meeting between Club atlético retiro de santa fe and Cooperativa Abasto: 0 wins for Club atlético retiro de santa fe, 0 draws and 1 for Cooperativa Abasto.
Full Club atlético retiro de santa fe vs Cooperativa Abasto head-to-head →
Club atlético retiro de santa fe (4-4-2): Juan Mazza, Hernán Grilli, Bautista Arcuri, Alejandro Gándara, Zacarías Velez, Salvador Aramendia, Damián Vitale, Cesar Olivares, Manuel Prieto, Santi Olivares, Lito Valencia.
Cooperativa Abasto (4-4-2): Theo Álvarez, Raúl Marín, Simón Bartoli, Cristian Basaldua, Polaco Zanchi, Santino Azkue, Santino Altzaga, Chino Turi, Maxi Scarpinato, Stefano Boldini, Genaro Yedlin.
In Primera L - GBA Norte, Club atlético retiro de santa fe are in position 8 with 42 points; Cooperativa Abasto are in position 12 with 37 points. See the full table
Club atlético retiro de santa fe ("El retira grandes."), with 1,640 fans. Home ground: Monumental de santa fe.
Cooperativa Abasto, with 1,583 fans. Home ground: Estadio Abasto.
Next match for Club atlético retiro de santa fe: vs su proximo rival — Sunday 1 November at 01:00 GMT
Next match for Cooperativa Abasto: 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.