Clausura 2010: Independiente 2 – 0 River Plate
By: Christian | March 9th, 2010Poor defensive mistakes proved costly for River Plate in a 2-0 loss to Independiente Sunday evening. Despite outplaying their rivals in the first half, sloppy defending allowed los rojos to take the lead in the 38th minute, a lead River never threatened to challenge. Independiente would strike again in the 60th minute to finish River off for good.
After (barely) defeating San Lorenzo three days earlier, River come into Sunday’s match with renewed confidence, and a strong first half seemed to suggest that River would be able to hold off an Independiente side looking for a win to send them to the top of the table.
But shocking defending left Darío Gandín unmarked in front of River keeper Daniel Vega, who had no chance to stop his shot on goal. It was an unfair result given Independiente’s poor first half, but bad defending from River could only lead to disaster. Look at the video of the second goal below in the 60th minute to see just how much room Independiente were given.
Offensively, River had nothing going all night, and Leo Astrada’s decision to use Mauro Díaz as the enganche proved useless. Neither Rogelio Funes Mori, Gustavo Canales, or second half sub Daniel Villalva were able to generate anything, and bringing on Marcelo Gallardo to replace Díaz was not enough.
But the worst was Matías Abelairas, who is on his way to becoming public enemy number 1. The winger has been criticized by many fans this season, and on Sunday he gave them more reason to question his inclusion in the squad. El Pitu had two opportunities to score and botched both, denying River a chance to get back in the game. He is hardly the only squad member to blame for this disastrous season, but missing two sitters like that is bound to single anyone out.
Can it really be that the rest of the season will go on this way, disappointment week after week? Will there be anything else to talk about, other than River’s impending date with relegation? Well, in two weeks time, we shall pay a visit to Boca for another edition of the Superclásico. With both teams having nothing else to play, you can expect both sides to use this opportunity to salvage some pride for the season. Can River rise about their current slump and find the form that lead them to that wonderful, 3-1 win in the summer?
River Gifting Goals to Independiente:
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