Alexis Maldonado spent ninety minutes doing the dirty work at Estadio José Dellagiovanna, and Belgrano left with a clean sheet to show for it. The defender posted 11 clearances and five interceptions in Thursday's 0-0 draw with Tigre, forming the backbone of a disciplined visiting performance in the Liga Profesional de Fútbol.
Maldonado's numbers tell the story of a side happy to absorb pressure and clear their lines. He won five duels across the pitch and added a tackle, rarely allowing Tigre's attackers a clean sight of goal. The 7.3 match rating reflected a shift built on positioning and anticipation rather than last-ditch heroics.
No way through
Tigre controlled spells of possession but found little joy against Belgrano's organized block. Maldonado repeatedly stepped in front of passes intended for runners in the box, cutting out danger before it developed. When crosses did arrive, he was there to head clear or shepherd the ball away from the danger zone.
The result keeps Belgrano ticking over in the standings without fanfare. Maldonado's defensive output, particularly those 11 clearances, suggests Tigre had their moments, yet the visitors never looked like conceding. A point earned the hard way, with the centre-back doing most of the heavy lifting.