CJ Villa Lugano took a tight win against Círculo La Boca on matchday 8 of Primera L - GBA Norte, with a goal from Oliverio Escalante that proved decisive in a match where both teams opted for balanced approaches and no great risks. The home side controlled the tempo without ever becoming overwhelming, while the visitors held firm with discipline and without any major scares at the back, which explains the final 1-0, fair for the side with the advantage on the pitch.
Villa Lugano built their victory on a midfield where Víctor Bettega, the 31-year-old attacking midfielder with a rating of 7.7, moved with the composure that comes with experience, while Jesús Parra fulfilled his role as central midfielder with precision in the tackle. At the back, Xavier Chamorro showed solidity in the middle, alongside Aaron Porras, who at left-back read the opponent's movements well. Escalante, the right-sided midfielder who scored, was Villa Lugano's difference-maker with his 7.2 rating and his ability to create danger in transition.
For Círculo La Boca, Levi Negrete at left-back did what he could against Escalante, although the youth of Cataldo Bartolini in midfield — just 18 years old — showed at times under pressure. Lucho Mazza, the 23-year-old Brazilian winger, also found no space to use his pace on the right flank. It was the sort of match where Villa Lugano perhaps deserved a little more on consistency, but Círculo La Boca leave without too much self-criticism: they defended well and could have snatched a draw from one or two loose chances. The home side pick up three key points; the visitors will keep looking in the next few matchdays.
CJ Villa Lugano came in with 0 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats in their last 4 matches.
Círculo La Boca came in with 0 wins, 1 draw and 3 defeats in their last 4 matches.
In the last meeting between CJ Villa Lugano and Círculo La Boca: 1 win for CJ Villa Lugano, 0 draws and 0 for Círculo La Boca.
CJ Villa Lugano (4-4-2): Simón Bugliani, Aaron Porras, Toto Ferrari, Xavier Chamorro, Santino Fernández, Noé Molina, Tobías Vassallo, Jesús Parra, Oliverio Escalante, Chacho Merlo, Víctor Bettega.
Círculo La Boca (4-4-2): Quique Spagnoli, Levi Negrete, Vito Kozlowski, Cristian Cacciatore, Lionel Pratto, Mariano Goñi, Bauti Anchorena, Cataldo Bartolini, Lucho Mazza, Coco Zanini, Pedro Garay.
In Primera L - GBA Norte, CJ Villa Lugano are in position 10 with 39 points; Círculo La Boca are in position 16 with 24 points. See the full table
CJ Villa Lugano, with 1,565 fans. Home ground: Estadio CJ Villa Lugano.
Círculo La Boca, with 1,463 fans. Home ground: Estadio Círculo La Boca.
Next match for CJ Villa Lugano: vs su proximo rival — Sunday 1 November at 01:00 GMT
Next match for Círculo La Boca: vs su proximo rival — Sunday 1 November at 01:15 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.