Lanus vs San Lorenzo
Lanus closed up an excellent campaign in the Liga Profesional through a 2-0 home success over Barracas Central in round 27, a victory that allowed them to stop a four-match winless streak of two draws and two losses and also return to the last Copa Libertadores’ spot in the aggregate table, accumulating 45 points so far. In fact, El Granate succumbed to a single defeat across their last ten matches at Estadio Nestor Diaz Perez, winning seven and drawing two in that stretch. Coach Frank Kudelka will miss Tomas Belmonte (sold to Mexican club CD Toluca), Felipe Aguilar (Independiente) and Lautaro Morales (Talleres).
San Lorenzo coach Ruben Insua fielded an alternative XI in the Liga Profesional round 27 and his team ended up losing 2-0 away at Tigre. That result means the team are now on two consecutive defeats in league action. However, they hold onto the third spot of the aggregate table on 46 points, currently qualifying for the 2024 Copa Libertadores. On a sorry note, El Ciclon won only one of their last five domestic games on away turf, drawing two and losing two. San Lorenzo signed Carlos Auzqui (from Ferencvaros TC, Hungary), Federico Girotti (Talleres) and Gaston Ramirez (Virtus Ispica, Italy).
San Lorenzo was the toughest team in the league during the last tournament with only 13 goals conceded in 27 rounds and I expect them to continue like this as they kept the base of players that finished 3rd.