River Plate - Defensor: Thoughts

By: Christian | October 31st, 2007

Mauro Rosales’ expression tells the whole story. Simply put, River put on one of their worst performances this season’s in last night’s 0-0 draw in the home leg of the Copa Sudamericana. Though it was enough to advance to the semifinals, River were lucky to have qualified at all, as Defensor could (and perhaps should) have easily put 3 or 4 goals passed an anemic River squad, and that was in the first half alone.

Sure, River had 2 away goals coming into the match and needed only a 0-0 or 1-1 draw to advance, but their shockingly inept showing nearly cost them. Juan Pablo Carrizo, who was responsible for both goals the last time around and heavily criticized for it, nearly blew it again going after a ball and being caught outside the penalty area, a goal line clearance byTuzzio thankfully saving him. And with the exception of a few shots on target, including one by Belluschi that hit the far post, River never looked threatening in the attack, and overall, they just looked sloppy. Even worse, River lose defender Nicolás Sánchez for the season after injuring his left foot. His probable replacements? Gerlo or Nasuti.

Of course what matters most is that River does indeed advance, but they now face a tough opponent in local side Arsenal de Sarandí. You may never have heard of them, but don’t underestimate this team, which in recent years as finished as high as 5th in the table and has had a fantastic outing in this years Copa, eliminating Brazil’s Goiás and Mexico’s Chivas along the way.

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*Those wondering why we aren’t playing Millonarios from Colombia - a rule in the competition states that two teams from the same country cannot compete in the final, hence River meeting Arsenal in the semifinals. Millonarios will instead take on Club América from Mexico.

*Arsenal eliminated River in the 2004 edition.

*Diego Buonanotte WILL be available for the upcoming games.

*Ariel Ortega had his excuse as to River’s poor performance, blaming it on the torn up pitch at the Monumental, referring to it as a “cancha de mierda.” (My English readers can guess what that means.) The reason? Recent concerts from Soda Stereo and Chayanne held at the stadium.