Racing hardcore fans approach players on friendly terms during training session

The atmosphere in Avellaneda is far from ideal, and that became clear on Thursday when, at the end of the evening training session, a group of Racing hardcore fans approached to speak with the squad's senior players. The scene, which came just hours after something similar rattled San Lorenzo, briefly set off alarm bells, though the accounts that circulated afterward eased the initial tension.

According to journalist Tomas Davila, the difference from what happened at the Cyclone was notable: while that situation escalated into a tenser confrontation, at Racing the conversation took place "on friendly terms" and involved a limited number of people, roughly 10 or so. Representing the squad were three heavyweight names: Marcos Rojo, Facundo Cambeses and Gaston Martirena.

What was said in that exchange? According to the reporter, the fans' message was one of backing rather than complaint, something that stood out given the team's turbulent present and the large number of young players who have been logging minutes.

Racing hardcore fans showed up, from the front ranks, to talk with the players. From what I could gather, unlike what happened at San Lorenzo, it was a show of support for the players, because there are a lot of young players in the squad right now. The conversation was held with the team's senior players, Marcos Rojo, Facundo Cambeses and Gaston MartirenaTomas Davila

Davila himself was careful in assessing the episode, noting that this kind of situation shouldn't be considered normal in Argentine soccer, though he acknowledged the tone was relaxed.

What was discussed in that conversation, which didn't last long, was expressing the fans' support for the players ahead of today's match. I'm not saying it's right, far from it, but that's what happenedTomas Davila

The context helps explain why things are tense behind the scenes. Racing was eliminated from the Copa Sudamericana in the group stage, still under Gustavo Costas at the time, and now, with Facundo Vojvoda in charge, the team has strung together two straight losses that have left the Academia with no margin for error down the stretch of the year, as it still competes in the Torneo Clausura and the Copa Argentina.

What's next: Banfield, then Belgrano

Against that backdrop, Racing hosts Banfield at El Cilindro this Friday at 8:30 PM, a match arriving at a point where any slip-up counts double. After that, next Wednesday, the team will travel to San Luis to face Belgrano, in the immediate lead-up to the clasico against Boca.

For the match against Banfield, Vojvoda will be without Maravilla Martinez, who is suspended, and there was also a surprising absence from the squad list: Nazareno Colombo and Santiago Solari. The likely lineup would have Facundo Cambeses in goal; Ezequiel Cannavo, Mateo Martinez, Marcos Rojo and Ignacio Rodriguez across the back four; Matias Kranevitter, Alejandro Tello, Ulises Ortegoza and Matko Miljevic in midfield; and Lautaro Diaz alongside either Tomas Conechny or Elias Torres up front.