Unión Balvanera earned a deserved victory in Villa Devoto, winning 2-1 in a match that could have been more comfortable were it not for the defensive errors that characterised it. Aurora tried to set up with a back four that never quite managed to close down the spaces, while the visitors exploited the gaps with an effectiveness that suggested experience. It was a tight match, but there was a clear winner in terms of intent: Unión knew where to strike, while Aurora paid the price for being unable to sustain their game over the full ninety minutes.
Lucio Halim was the driving force behind Balvanera's attack, earning a rating of 8.4 and scoring two goals that reflected his reading of the game and his ability to break lines down the right. At 27, the midfielder has the timing of a player at the peak of his powers: he knows where to put a foot in and when to move forward. For the hosts, Agustín Iturbe scored Aurora's goal with a shot that was no fluke, but rather the result of constantly seeking openings on the left, although they were unable to turn that into a greater number of chances. Yamil Vega, the 28-year-old visiting left-back, had a game defined by covering and putting his body on the line wherever necessary, earning a yellow card that did not diminish his influence. The Balvanera defence, with Axel Calabrese and Bautista Boni at its heart, knew how to reduce the spaces when required.
The tactical balance — both teams playing 4-4-2 — meant the result depended more on who executed better than on who planned differently. Aurora had the problem of being unable to maintain their pressure in the second half, while Unión Balvanera grew in confidence with each goal. For the hosts, the analysis is clear: they lacked concentration at key moments and had no response when things became difficult. For the visitors, it is a victory that reflects what they can do when they remain solid at the back and clear-minded going forward.
Aurora de Villa Devoto came in with 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats in their last 5 matches.
Unión Balvanera came in with 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats in their last 5 matches.
In the last meeting between Aurora de Villa Devoto and Unión Balvanera: 0 wins for Aurora de Villa Devoto, 0 draws and 1 for Unión Balvanera.
Full Aurora de Villa Devoto vs Unión Balvanera head-to-head →
Aurora de Villa Devoto (4-4-2): Noé Bordón, Santino Sotomayor, Coco Anasagasti, Negro Sacchi, Vidal Arena, Agustín Iturbe, Leonardo Mata, Liam Bilbao, Genaro Tagliaferri, Benjamín Palomino, Milton Saliba.
Unión Balvanera (4-4-2): Tincho Montoya, Yamil Vega, Bautista Boni, Axel Calabrese, Beto Chaile, Vito Bellucci, Thiago Trento, Jorge Bardi, Lucio Halim, Román Vicente, Iñaki Saracho.
In Primera I - GBA Oeste, Aurora de Villa Devoto are in position 11 with 35 points; Unión Balvanera are in position 1 with 59 points. See the full table
Aurora de Villa Devoto, with 1,693 fans. Home ground: Estadio Aurora de Villa Devoto.
Unión Balvanera, with 1,810 fans. Home ground: Estadio Unión Balvanera.
Next match for Aurora de Villa Devoto: vs su proximo rival — Sunday 1 November at 00:45 GMT
Next match for Unión Balvanera: vs su proximo rival — Sunday 1 November at 00:30 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.