Concepción fell 0-1 to A. Italiano in the Primera División's twenty-second round on Saturday evening at the Municipal de Coihaique. César Pinares gave the visitors the lead in the seventeenth minute and they held on despite going down to ten men for most of the second half.
Pinares found space in the box and finished clinically before Concepción had settled into their rhythm. To be fair, the hosts looked more lively after the breakthrough, throwing bodies forward as the match progressed. The visitors defended in numbers and waited for their chance.
And here's the thing about this match — the penalty that would have levelled things was ruled out on VAR review in the seventy-third minute. Aldrix Jara had the penalty, but it was cancelled. Five minutes later Fausto Grillo picked up a second yellow and Concepción were reduced to ten men. By then the game had shifted entirely.
The statistics tell a story Concepción told themselves all afternoon. Sixty-seven per cent possession, ten corners, nineteen shots — six on target — yet only one goal to show for it. Italiano managed seven shots with four on target, thirty-six per cent accuracy. Neither side created a big chance, which tells you where this match was won and lost.
Concepción move to thirty points in eighth place after the defeat, while Italiano remain twelfth with twenty-five. The hosts had won four of their last five before this — the run ends here. Italiano extend their unbeaten streak to three games with the win away from home.