He did not play in the end. Neither headline nor entering from the bank. After some doubts during the week due to muscular overload, the Colombian remained focused and sat next to Fernando Gago because he was not yet 100% physically fit. But there was a moment when he let go of the stillness… In his own way, from the lime line side out, the man “played” his own game. He mightn’t add minutes, but he had a huge download from him. This was reflected in the celebration of Edwin Cardona when Leonel Miranda scored the second goal, that of definitive tie 2-2 of Racing with River.
The classic was consumed, the Academy was going to go with determination in search of the comeback. With drive, with good partnerships, with play on the wings, with depth. And the goal would come as a reward for perseverance. The center came from Gabriel Hauche, Enzo Copetti headed in, Javier Pinola might not reject and Lolo, following taking momentum, hit a cocazo that sent the ball next to Franco Armani’s right post.
As soon as the ball entered, Edwin Cardona was ejected from the bench, jumped over the posters and started a mad dash to the side to hug the scorer (with whom he has a very good relationship) and get lost in that crowded group of teammates. During the tour at full speed, always with the tracksuit on, he waved his arms, shouted, raved… It was a genuine show of happiness in a game that was significant for him because of his past in Boca, and also a sign of his commitment with the group, of their good integration into it.
Before his celebration, Cardona had been shown on TV smiling, as if he knew that Racing was going to tie River
The Racing midfielder faced the classic, at times, with a smile. He was even seen when the Academy was losing 2-1, as if that grimace was typical of someone who trusted that his team would achieve equality that, of course, left a taste of triumph. Even in the midst of criticism, following two weak first dates, the players were very united from their statements or expressions on social networks. And this convincing performance at the Monumental, added to the great 3-0 victory over Argentinos on the previous date, surely contributed to the strengthening of cohesion.
“We are going to achieve important things. We are going to be protagonists in the competitions to come. I know that people demand results and understand each other, but we have to go step by step,” Cardona, the Colombian from the Academy, had declared following equality 2-2 with Defense and Justice, in this case a brown one with a negative tint because Racing had started winning 2-0 and they lifted it.
Home photo: Sports Center capture.
