Argentinos Stifled by Barracas Central’s 26 Fouls in Goalless Draw

Argentinos Juniors began life after Alan Lescano with a goalless draw against Barracas Central, but the match offered little in attack and plenty of friction. The game featured 38 fouls and eight offside calls, making the 0-0 scoreline a fair reflection of the action.

Argentinos kept the lead in Zone B with 17 points. The team also remained first in the annual table with 46 points, one ahead of Independiente Rivadavia. Francisco Alvarez, a central defender who attracted interest from Boca, River and Independiente during the last transfer window, was the standout player.

The team from La Paternal tried to impose its usual proactive style, whether at home or away. Goalkeeper Brayan Cortés even played almost on the halfway line as a sweeper during one Argentinos corner. The club also lined up three attacking midfielders, Nicolás Oroz, López Muñoz and Viveros, in what the report described as a tribute to Lionel Messi beyond the general applause heard in the 10th minute.

But Argentinos struggled to find space and became caught in the physical game proposed by Barracas. Barracas used a 5-3-2 formation and tactical fouls to slow the match and divide play. The home side committed 26 fouls, compared with a high average of 13 to 15 per team in Argentine football.

Tomás Porra had Barracas’ clearest first-half chance, forcing Cortés to save a left-footed shot at the near post. Argentinos had a goal ruled out for offside, and another attack ended with goalkeeper Miño saving against Molina. The report also said an assistant referee made an incorrect offside call in the 39th minute, when a pass from López Muñoz would have sent Molina through on goal.