Prov. Almagro1 - 0Pibes Montserrat

Provincial Almagro came away with a hard-fought win over Pibes Montserrat in a match where both teams deployed similar systems, balanced 4-4-2s, but where the home side made more precise use of their strengths. At Almagro’s ground, on matchday 7 of Primera I GBA Norte, the hosts won 1-0 in a fixture that did not provide a wealth of excitement but did reflect the characteristic toughness of these leagues, where every point is fought for tooth and nail. Pibes Montserrat arrived as the away side intent on holding firm and playing compactly, but Provincial Almagro’s individual quality ultimately made the difference at key moments.

Yago Ortiz, the 35-year-old Uruguayan midfielder who already knows the ways of Argentine grassroots football, was a constant presence in the home side’s midfield. His 7.6 rating reflected a solid performance, although he picked up a yellow card for his challenges. At 31, Pocho Becker also did his duty at left-back with that mentality of making nothing easy in defence, while on the right, Fede Tassinari, the 23-year-old Bahía Blanca full-back who grew up in a corrugated-metal house by the port, showed the desire of someone who knows every match is an opportunity to establish himself. Young Tassinari also added his positive 7.6 rating to the defensive effort.

The goal came from Martín Arias, the 28-year-old right winger born in Comodoro Rivadavia, who scored in a match where Provincial were more clinical. Arias, who already carries a scar on his eyebrow from his playing days on the dirt pitches, finished at the right moment, probably in a move where his experience allowed him to read the spaces better. The goal sealed a match in which there was no wastefulness: it was worth its weight in gold for the home side. Pichu Feldman, the 29-year-old centre-back raised in Bahía Blanca, the one who was never the most eye-catching but was always in the right place, made his contribution both in defence and in building play, also providing an assist that proved crucial to Almagro’s goal.

From the visitors’ perspective, Pibes Montserrat were unable to break through the home side’s defensive structure. Silvio Sacchi, the 37-year-old midfielder with a scar on his chin, tried to lead the midfield but found a well-organised and compact Provincial Almagro. Alan Tosti, the 23-year-old left-back who has carried responsibilities from a young age, and Ricardo Guzmán, a 31-year-old winger with coolness in his movements, were unable to create enough danger to trouble the home goalkeeper.

The match ended with Provincial Almagro celebrating a victory that carries value in these regional competitions, where every win brings the objective closer. It was not a showcase of eye-catching football, but a match in which tactical solidity, the experience of some of the players and the ability to take chances decided the result. Almagro take all three points and continue their journey in Primera I GBA Norte.

In the last meeting between Prov. Almagro and Pibes Montserrat: 1 win for Prov. Almagro, 0 draws and 0 for Pibes Montserrat.

• Pibes Montserrat 1-2 Prov. Almagro

Full Prov. Almagro vs Pibes Montserrat head-to-head →

Prov. Almagro (4-4-2): Simón Zarate, Mati Pellegrini, Adrián León, Pichu Feldman, Fede Tassinari, Pocho Becker, Tobías Liebman, Mateo Friedman, Martín Arias, Yago Ortiz, Benjamín Tévez.

Pibes Montserrat (4-4-2): Mati Sgarbi, Alan Tosti, Zacarías Rizzo, Lisandro Arrarte, Genaro Giménez, Misael Altolaguirre, Enrique Karam, Silvio Sacchi, Ricardo Guzmán, Genaro Arbieto, Julián Sotelo.

In Primera I - GBA Norte, Prov. Almagro are in position 1 with 62 points; Pibes Montserrat are in position 16 with 30 points. See the full table

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Prov. Almagro, with 1,534 fans. Home ground: Estadio Prov. Almagro.

Pibes Montserrat, with 1,329 fans. Home ground: Estadio Pibes Montserrat.

Next match for Prov. Almagro: vs su proximo rival — Sunday 1 November at 00:30 GMT

Next match for Pibes Montserrat: vs su proximo rival — Saturday 31 October at 15:00 GMT