Boca Juniors idol Juan Roman Riquelme has revealed his admiration for Nacional B pace-setters Instituto, explaining in colourful terms that the dynamic attacking duo of Paulo Dybala and Diego Lagos prove that you do not need to be a giant to succeed in Argentine football.
The Cordoba side have been in electric form over 2011-12, and with 11 games remaining of the season lead closest rivals River Plate by three points in the top spot. Much of their success is down to their two strikers; highly-rated teenager Dybala has contributed 17 goals, while strike partner and former Under-17 international Lagos has chipped in with eight – including five headers.
The pair measure just 1.68m and 1.76m respectively, but Roman argued that their exploits were evidence that size does not matter when it comes to finding the net.
“I like Instituto, they entertain me. And it makes me happy because it is always said that you need to play with two giants up front in Argentine football; but they play with two dwarves in attack and they will s*** goals on you,” the 33-year-old playmaker told TyCSports on Friday.
“That shows you have to play good football, and that is exactly what Instituto are doing.”
Asked which is the most talented team in the second tier, Roman did not hesitate in placing the Gloria ahead of his side’s arch-rivals.
“Instituto are the best team by far in the B Nacional,” he said. “If the championship finished today they would be the winners. River are great on an individual level, and that is why they are still hanging in there.”
The Millonario in turn hold a three-point advantage over Quilmes, as they look to secure one of the two automatic promotion spots to assure an instant return to the Primera Division.
