Lanus — Central Cordoba : Match Preview and Prediction for August 22,2025

Lanus’ Dominant Form

Four victories in their last five official matches speak volumes. Mauricio Pellegrino’s squad has hit an excellent stride, and their stumble in the first leg of the Round of 16 shouldn’t be misleading. Their latest performance in the Argentine championship—a hard-fought 2-1 away victory over Gimnasia—is the best testament to their current prowess.

Statistical Superiority in First Leg

Indeed, the “Granates” suffered a 0-1 defeat in Santiago del Estero. However, let’s focus on the facts, not just the scoreboard. The statistics from the first encounter clearly indicate who truly dominated the field. Lanus’ Expected Goals (xG) stood at an impressive 1.74, compared to a mere 0.47 for their opponent. In terms of shots, their superiority was absolute, with a 13:6 advantage.

Missed Opportunities and Home Advantage

Lanus carved out a plethora of chances, but their finishing let them down, coupled with an outstanding performance from Central Cordoba’s goalkeeper, Alan Aguerre. Team captain Carlos Izquierdoz frankly stated after the match: “We were a head above them in every aspect. We only lacked one thing—to score.” Now, the game returns home to “La Fortaleza,” where the roar of the crowd and familiar turf will undoubtedly become decisive factors.

Central Cordoba’s Defensive Focus

Their opponent comes into this match on an impressive eight-game unbeaten streak. But what truly underpins this run? Primarily, it’s a resolute defense and a strategy that banks on a single mistake from their adversary. In their last eight matches, they’ve conceded a mere four goals, highlighting their defensive solidity.

Questionable Attacking Prowess

However, their offensive potential raises significant concerns. Even their own coach, Omar De Felippe, admitted after the first leg: “We didn’t have a game. The difference was that we scored our goal, and they didn’t.” This is a direct acknowledgement that their result was achieved against the run of play and the logical flow of the match.

Over-reliance on Goalkeeper and Away Game Risks

In the first encounter, their goalkeeper Alan Aguerre emerged as the hero, which further underscores the pressure Lanus exerted. Central Cordoba’s most recent league match was a 1-1 home draw against Barracas Central, a performance that showcased their limited attacking ambition. This is a team that will primarily play defensively, relying on holding onto a minimal advantage, which is an extremely risky tactic when playing away against a seasoned cup fighter like Lanus.