Mastriani shows eye for goal on debut for Athletico

It only took two finishes to Gonzalo Mastriani score his first goal for Athletico. This Saturday (3), in the 4-0 defeat of PSTC, in the sixth round of the Paraná Championship, the Uruguayan striker took advantage of Julimar’s cross to head in style and swing for the first time as a Furacão center forward.

After participating in just one training session under Juan Carlos Osorio, Mastriani started the match on the bench at the Ligga Arena. However, right at half-time, the new number 9 replaced Pablo, who had missed a penalty kick, and needed just nine minutes on the field to celebrate his debut goal.

Positioned between defenders Léo Assumpção and Gilberto, from PSTC, the 30-year-old Uruguayan took advantage of Julimar’s precise cross and scored his first goal for Furacão. The celebration took place shortly after the striker missed a chance in the small area on another cross from Julimar.

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In a press conference, Mastriani celebrated the beginning of his career at Rubro-Negro with the goal, but mainly with the triumph.

“A beautiful, very beautiful feeling. It was actually just a training session with the team and it was good to start in this way. I’m very happy and content. I hope it’s the start of something beautiful with the team.

Although happy, Mastriani regretted that his debut was held with the Ligga Arena empty due to the punishment for closed doors due to fights outside the stadium in the match against Galo Maringá. “It’s really beautiful, obviously, it would be more beautiful with the fans, but the important thing is to start in this way, winning, getting to know my teammates. We have a lot ahead of us,” Mastriani told Hurricane Network.

The player reached his sixth goal in the 2024 season – the other five were scored by América-MG in the Campeonato Mineiro. He also talked about replacing Vitor Roque.

“Firstly, Victor Roque is a phenomenon, he is building his history and with goals at Barcelona. I don’t want to compare myself with any player, my objective is to make my history, a beautiful history with Furacão. I was well received by the fans when I arrived, also on social media too. My goal is to build something beautiful here.”

After the match, Osorio praised Mastriani.

“Gonzalo [Mastriani] He is a player who is already used to the Brazilian league. Everyone knows about my obsession with having 30% left-handed athletes, which contributes to the team. This is his case. He is a very skilled finisher, he has already stood out for this and will have a healthy competition with the other attackers in the squad. We are well served. In the future, we are evaluating the idea of ​​playing with two strikers,” he said at a press conference.

But it won’t take long for Mastriani to meet the Hurricane fan. Next Wednesday (7), at 8:30 pm, against Cascavel. It will be the first game held at the Ligga Arena in 2024 without audience restrictions in the stands.