Independiente, with good stretches of football, thrashed Atlético Tucumán 3-0 at home, in the framework of the fourteenth round of Group B of the Clausura Tournament of the Professional Football League.
At the Libertadores de América - Ricardo Enrique Bochini stadium, the team led by Gustavo Quinteros, already without the heavy burden of 15 games without a win, received an Atlético Tucumán in an institutional and sporting crisis, with Hugo Colace as the interim manager and five points from relegation.
After 20 minutes of besieging the Tucumán area but without being able to test goalkeeper Matías Mansilla, the 'Red' broke the deadlock in the 25th minute with a goal from Uruguayan Matías Abaldo. This came after a defensive lapse from the 'Dean' that left the ball at the feet of Chilean Felipe Loyola on the left flank, who provided an exquisite cross into the six-yard box where the former Defensor Sporting player slid in to score.
Five minutes later, following another great intervention by Loyola, who cushioned the ball down with his head on the left flank, Paraguayan Gabriel Ávalos unleashed a powerful low strike that went in off the post, sending the Independiente crowd into raptures.
From there, with the scoreboard already open and the game effectively won, Quinteros's team shone and added a third in the second half. This time, it was Loyola who scored, following an excellent corner kick from Santiago Montiel that found the far post.
Football is not just about strategy and technique, but also mentality.
Independiente shed the weight of 15 games without a win against Platense last Friday and today showed they can play with a different freedom and confidence, earning applause from their fans who had recently booed them.
Thus, Independiente are now five points away from the playoff spots with two games remaining. They will face Deportivo Riestra and Rosario Central, who are second and first in Group A, respectively.
There is no doubt that these will be extremely complex matches for the 'Red', but they keep alive the hope of a miracle to qualify for the playoffs in this Clausura Tournament. At this level, they have the qualities to do so.
