San Lorenzo beat Estudiantes de Mérida 1-0 in Venezuela in their debut in the Copa Sudamericana. With their victory, the team leads group H. The match was played at the Metropolitan Olympic Stadium in Mérida, a city elevated to 1,600 meters above sea level, 670 kilometers from the Venezuelan capital of Caracas.
The start of the game was rough with one expulsion and two injuries in the first quarter of an hour. The visitor started with everything and was left with ten players due to the expulsion of Carlos Sánchez, for a double yellow card, the first for grabbing Jesús Gómez’s shirt, and the second, four minutes later, for a light slap against Gómez himself.
The outlook for Insúa’s team continued to be complicated as Agustín Martegani was injured after 10 minutes (left ankle sprain), and was replaced by Barrios.
Although the Venezuelans also had bad news and Juan Medina retired injured after 17 minutes, and Anthony Matos entered in his place. At times the locals took advantage of the numerical superiority and generated danger to the point of demanding a couple of opportunities from Batalla.
But little by little San Lorenzo began to leave and approached the rival field. Barrios entered very well due to his speed and chances began to arrive for the Barça team, which at minute 33 put themselves ahead with a great goal from Gattoni, who scored a missile from outside the area and overcame the goalkeeper’s resistance.
In the complement and despite the man less, San Lorenzo continued to find the spaces to be able to arrive. With the result in his favor, he controlled the process and withdrew to counterattack. Barrios continued to be the most dangerous player with his ability and change of pace to attack. Vombergar and Leguizamón also appeared at the tips.
In the end, Estudiantes de Mérida tried to get the tie, but without ideas to break the iron Barca defense. Even those led by Insua had other cons, although they failed in the last pass. The victory by the minimum difference for San Lorenzo was deserved in Venezuela.
