In a very difficult night due to the crash in Arequipa, Racing smiled at the news that came from Rosario and will play the quarterfinals of the League Cup at the Cilindro. The Academy celebrated the defeat of Newells at home against San Lorenzo since thanks to that result they ensured, at least, finishing among the first two places in zone 1.
La Leprosy had 23 units and was five away from the Pintita team with two games to go. I could only get over it if I got all six points, something that finally will not happen since he could not add against the Cyclone, one of the worst teams in the competition. Thanks to this result and the enormous campaign of the Academy, the quarterfinal match that has him as the protagonist will be played at the Presidente Perón stadium. The only thing that remains to be resolved is whether those led by Fernando Gago will end up at the top of the table or in second place, behind River.
The only way for the Millionaire to finish first in the regular phase is to win the two remaining games (Sarmiento and Platense) and hope that the Academy does not add two points. Even, if those from Pintita add one they could also be leaders since at this moment they have a better goal difference, although there it would be necessary to see how many goals Núñez’s men score in their virtual triumphs.
The only benefit of finishing in the top two places is being able to play in the quarterfinals at home. Both the semi-finals and the final will be played on neutral ground. Racing fulfilled the first objective.
Racing will be local in the quarterfinals and will be able to rest its players
With the main mission accomplished, all cannons will now be aimed at the continental contest. For this reason, it is almost certain that against Banfield on Saturday the 30th and against San Lorenzo a week later, the coach will decide to put a formation full of footballers who are not usually starters.
In this way you will be able to save the best you have to try to fasten your ticket to the South American Cup knowing that in the international tournament only the one who finishes top of Group B will qualify for the round of 16. There are three dates left in the international tournament and there is no place to relax after the coup in Peru against Melgar. That is why the defeat of Newells was excellent news for the Avellaneda team: Racing will play the quarterfinals at the Cilindro.