Tigre faced off against Central Córdoba on March 17, 2025, hoping to regain the lead atop Zone A of the Liga Profesional's Torneo Apertura. Despite Tigre’s strong desire to secure their sixth consecutive victory, the match concluded without any goals, leaving both teams with unfinished business.
The match took place at the Estadio José Dellagiovanna at 19:00 (7 PM), under the watchful eye of referee Hernán Mastrángelo. Initial expectations were high for Tigre, who had recently triumphed over Aldosivi with a decisive 2-0 score, putting them at 21 points just two behind league leaders Boca Juniors. With only minutes left and the teams scoreless, Tigre struggled to overcome the defensive strategies deployed by Central Córdoba, who had lost badly to Boca Juniors just days before.
Central Córdoba, aiming to bounce back after their 3-0 defeat, came to the match determined to stabilize their place within the playoff spots of Zone A. Further complicate their position, the Ferroviario, currently with 14 points, found themselves trailing seventh. A win could have propelled them up the ranks as they jockey for position leading to the final stages of the group phase.
The formations each team deployed underscored their strategies. For Tigre, coach Diego Dabove opted for: Felipe Zenobio; Martín Garay, Ramón Arias, Nehuén Paz, Nahuel Banegas; Santiago González, Lorenzo Scipioni, Jabes Saralegui, Elías Cabrera, Sebastián Medina; Ignacio Russo. The visitors from Santiago fielded Alan Aguerre; Iván Pillud, Yuri Casermeiro, Lautaro Rivero, Gonzalo Trindade; Santiago Moyano, José Florentín, Iván Gómez, Luis Angulo; Leonardo Heredia, and Favio Cabral, under the guidance of coach Omar De Felippe.
The encounter had been eagerly anticipated, with both teams bringing their unique narratives to the pitch. Tigre's burgeoning form contrasted Central Córdoba's recent struggles, leading to many discussions about potential shifts at the top of the table. Throughout the match, the tension was palpable as both squads looked for opportunities to capitalize on each other's weaknesses.
Despite several attempted shots on goal from Tigre, including one notable opportunity from Elías Cabrera, who created space but failed to find the back of the net, the match remained fiercely competitive. Defending was at the forefront for Central Córdoba, whose backline, led by Aguerre, worked tirelessly to preserve the clean sheet amid mounting pressure from Tigre’s attack.
Yellow cards were issued to players, including Nahuel Banegas from Tigre and Omar De Felippe, highlighting the physical nature of the game. But neither team could claim victory, and as the final whistle blew, it became clear the match would not change the standings significantly.
Across other fixtures on the same day, Unión de Santa Fe clashed with Banfield, also starting at 19:00 (7 PM), as exciting encounters unfolded across the league's matchday. Both teams are vying for points to secure their positions, with Unión struggling near the bottom with only seven points.
Later, two more key matches took place at 21:15 (9:15 PM): Atlético Tucumán against Vélez and San Martín de San Juan matched up against Platense. The outcomes of these matches were equally anticipated, as they play significant roles on both teams' paths to the playoff positions.
Despite the draw, Tigre still remains firmly positioned among the contenders for the playoffs, gearing for their next matches with renewed intensity and focus. With upcoming fixtures against squads eager for points, the battle remains wide open.
The stakes will continue to rise as the tournament progresses, and for both Tigre and Central Córdoba, every match will be pivotal as they strive for their respective goals within Argentina's football upper echelon. The final outcome may not have been what Tigre hoped for this time around, but the determination and spirit displayed on the field reflects the high stakes of the competition.
Fans can look forward to seeing whether Tigre can regroup and find the winning form needed to climb back to the summit of Zone A.
