Angel Di Maria He is excited when he enters the Giant, at the welcome feast. Two hours later, Fideo leaves with anger from Arroyito, because Central, his Central, had 26 shots and couldn’t against Independiente del Vallewho played the last half hour with one less player due to an expulsion. The 0 to 0, in any case, is an anecdote from Group H of the Copa Libertadores. The 38-year-old star once again played the most beautiful cup, 20 years later. Obviously, they are nothing.
Independiente del Valle plays well, beyond the surface. At altitude, on the plain, it usually stands out internationally. For a long time, he took the ball away from Central, got excited and even approached Ledesma. A distant shot by Jordy Alcívar was one of the main examples: the scream was avoided by the goalkeeper’s hands.
After a while, Layan Loor also took note of the reflexes of the goalkeeper, the figure of the Argentine team. Little by little, Central regained the lead and was even able to open the scoring during the first chapter, with a goal from Giménez. Anyway, Central scores poorly. He defends distracted, as in another context. He could not capitalize on that situation. Cocoliso González, recently visiting Newell’swho missed the goal under the arc.
Angelito Di María recovered from a muscle injury and was able to play in the match that marked his return to the Copa Libertadores, 20 years after his first and only participation, also with the Canalla shirt.
The 38-year-old footballer managed to recover with just enough an injury to the left adductorwas a starter and was even allowed a share of emotionwhen he entered the playing field, an accomplice of the people’s party at the Giant. The star is competing in the top continental competition for the first time since his return to Rosario Central in 2025 and 20 years after his debut in 2006, at just 18 years old and while he was taking his first steps in the club of his life.
His previous match was exactly on April 12, 2006, in the defeat against Atlético Nacional from Medellín by 2 to 1. He only participated in four games in that team led by Leonardo Astrada, before his departure to Portugal.
“I would like to play the Libertadores. I played it only once, but I was very young and I couldn’t experience it as much,” Di María declared at the end of January 2024, when he timidly planned his return to Arroyito. It is, as happens in all true football fans, a childhood desire. “It would be a dream to win it with Central. But winning the Libertadores, in reality, is no longer a dream… it would be something that would go beyond that dream. It would be something historicunforgettable to be able to finish my career. “It would be the best finishing touch I could have,” he declared.
Fideo, far from his best physical version at this point in his career, showed his class. Vertigo of talent. In a sort of 4-2-3-1, Di María acted in the center of the three creative teams (the others were Enzo Giménez and Campaz), more sharp in deployment and in the open field than in leadership.
Every time he found space, he ran to the right lane, where he feels most comfortable. There, he broke it. His teammates often don’t understand it, they are top players, but of a different category. Di María’s head (especially) travels at a different speed.
With a new shirt, in the image and likeness of the 110 years of the Giant, Central played with the history about his body. “Inaugurated in 1926, the Giant transcends its status as a stadium to become the symbolic heart of the city and a true emblem of the rogue identity. One hundred years after its opening, this new collection pays tribute to his legacy…”, the club wrote on social networks, days ago.
The Rosario team is in a good moment and is in fourth position in Zone B of the Apertura Tournament, with 21 points in 12 days. The Ecuadorian cast is first in the local league: add 16 points in 7 games.
In the final stretch, the Rosario team attacked more and better. Alejo Véliz lost it in three consecutive situations, the first, a delightful free kick from Di María, who collided with a header that was as devastating as it was deflected. The last one, a goal well disallowed by offside.
A crossing between Ovando and Cocoliso González led to a melee, first. And in an expulsion later, Junior Sornozathe 10 of Independiente del Valle, who slapped the defender, out of all logic.
Central played the last 30 minutes with one more player. He searched, he tried, with Di María as a pitcher on the right side, with Campaz as a sprinter on the left side, with Ibarra as the lung in the middle.
He had 26 shots, including shots and headers. So close, so far. In the end, unleashed, he almost lost due to an adventure by the good Ecuadorian team. Di María went from emotion to anger in the blink of an eye: he won everything, but he wants one more. The most beautiful cup, the one everyone wants the Argentines.
