Racing ramp up the intensity for crunch set of fixtures

Gustavo Costas and Racing Club this week entered a period that could make or break their entire season. Indeed, given Costas' famously exuberant pitch-side demeanour, one could be forgiven for thinking it would stretch the coach himself to the limit. Three games, three separate competitions, and everything on the line. As of Tuesday phase one at least is complete.

This week's Copa Libertadores quarter-final second leg against Vélez Sarsfield was the first of three season-defining games for La Academia. On Sunday Costas' men host Independiente in the Liga Profesional de Fútbol, a clash which is crucial not just for those ever-important Avellaneda bragging rights but also keep Racing's interest alive in the league after their subdued start. Four days after that Racing travel to Rosario for their Copa Argentina quarter-final, making it three must-win matches in the space of just nine days. 

The good news is that their veteran coach is taking it all in stride, and with a wink to other strugglers: “There are big teams who only get to play every 15 days, we are playing for everything.”

They certainly played for everything in arguably the biggest match of the trio. Having struggled to victory over Vélez Sarsfield in last week's first leg, Racing showed off their best side back in El Cilindro as they clinched a 1-0 win which booked their place in the Libertadores semis, the first time since 1997 that La Academia have been able to number themselves among South America's four premier clubs. 

Costas admitted that his tactical set-up had floundered against a tough team in the opener, but his plan for Tuesday was impeccable, not to mention rather easier on the eye than a number of recent Racing games. There were still plenty of long balls belted in the direction of the tireless, peerless Adrián Martínez, to be sure; but they were accompanied by a much more fluid collective performance, using the full expanses of the Cilindro turf and keeping Racing on the front foot throughout.

Even going all-out for the win Vélez could muster just a single shot on target over the 90 minutes, though to be fair that effort came as close as you can get: a stinger from Imanol Machuca which was clawed back off the line by Facundo Cambeses on his second attempt. A couple of millimetres of ball surface remained over the paint, enough to convince VAR to correctly overturn the original goal decision and help the ex-Banfield stopper to a fourth straight clean sheet since taking the starting role off club legend Gabriel Arias. Racing too had their chances and hit the woodwork twice before Santiago Solari converted from close range to put the tie out of reach late on. 

Throughout, Costas was his usual hyperactive self, pacing up and down the touchline in step with every Academia advance, dancing a merry jig once Solari had broken the game open and again when the final whistle sounded. The veteran could not even keep still in the post-match press conference, his chair vibrating in manic fashion throughout as he fielded reporters' questions, still barely able to contain himself.

With that main objective in the bag, some of the pressure will be off for the next two games – but pressure there will be, nonetheless. Falling to Independiente at home at this lowest of low points on the red half of Avellaneda would be a huge kick in the teeth, and just the welcome new Rojo coach Gustavo Quinteros would relish. 

River, meanwhile, have proved a bogey team time after time for Racing, and the stands of the Gigante del Arroyito in Rosario will be fitting to explode with both Grandes taking fans up the Panamericana highway for the match.

The Millonario will have extra motivation, too, after falling short in their own Libertadores quarter against Palmeiras: unlike Costas, Marcelo Gallardo now has little to no margin left for error this year. For even more added spice, it will be Maxi Salas' first game against Racing following that controversial mid-season transfer. 

What is certain is that La Academia will play each game with ferocious intensity and a will to win: if for nothing else, at least just to keep up with their inexhaustible head coach.