Auzmendi Reflects on San Lorenzo’s Copa Sudamericana Elimination: “A Black Night

San Lorenzo striker Rodrigo Auzmendi described the team’s Copa Sudamericana elimination as a “black night” after a disappointing home loss to Recoleta. The result saw the Argentine club fail to advance from the group stage, a outcome that left the 25-year-old forward deeply frustrated.

“I am very sad, we did everything to win it,” Auzmendi stated in the aftermath of the match. “It was the best first half we’ve played since I’ve been here, but this is football. They get one chance, they score one goal, and we go away empty-handed. It was a black night.”

Por que importa

The atmosphere at the Nuevo Gasómetro stadium intensified following the 1-0 deficit. Manager Gustavo Álvarez acknowledged the team’s performance and the fans’ reaction, noting that if the team accepts applause, they must also accept reproval. Auzmendi echoed this sentiment, lamenting the missed opportunity for San Lorenzo to secure a spot in the next round, a scenario that had been within their control.

“We had everything to be first and qualify. This continues, we have to swallow the poison and apologize to the people,” he added, highlighting the players’ responsibility to the fanbase.

Contexto

Auzmendi’s willingness to speak directly to the press after the significant setback underscored his importance to the San Lorenzo squad. Despite speculation about a permanent transfer and the support he receives from fans online, manager Álvarez has shown consistent faith in him, even during substitutions. Auzmendi played the full 90 minutes against Recoleta, while his attacking partner, Cuello, was replaced by Vietto late in the game.

This trust remained despite Auzmendi’s recent goal drought, which has seen him score four goals in the Apertura and two in the Copa Sudamericana. During the match against Recoleta, San Lorenzo created numerous scoring opportunities, particularly in the first half, forcing goalkeeper Ferreira into several key saves, including a notable one-on-one chance for Auzmendi in the 14th minute that could have altered the game’s trajectory. However, the team ultimately could not convert their dominance into goals.

Datos clave
| Aspecto | Detalle |
|—|—|
| Partido | San Lorenzo vs. Recoleta |
| Competición | Copa Sudamericana (Fase de grupos) |
| Resultado | Derrota de San Lorenzo por 1-0 |
| Declaración clave | “Fue una noche negra” – Rodrigo Auzmendi |
| Desempeño de Auzmendi | Jugó los 90 minutos, tuvo ocasiones de gol |

The elimination from the Copa Sudamericana represents a significant blow for San Lorenzo, particularly after a first half in which they were dominant. The inability to capitalize on their chances proved costly, leading to a premature exit from the competition and leaving players and fans alike with a sense of profound disappointment. This result will likely lead to further reflection on the team’s performance and tactical approach in crucial matches.

Fuente: Ole – https://www.ole.com.ar/san-lorenzo/auzmendi-san-lorenzo-copa-sudamericana-eliminacion_0_jlqEoBA8Nn.html

Datos clave