River Plate Face Must-Win Copa Game Against Nacional de Paraguay

By: Christian | April 23rd, 2009

It seems that every year in the Copa Libertadores, River Plate face the kind of situation they currently find themselves in – win your next game, or face elimination. That unfortunate scenario is again true in this year’s edition of the Copa, as River will travel tonight to Asunción to face Nacional de Paraguay. Los millonarios, who have struggled in Group 3, must win tonight and in two weeks against San Martin to guarantee classification to the round of 16. A loss in either game will result in direct elimination.

Though the current circumstance is not the ideal one for River, they do remain in charge of their own destiny, and in theory at least, should have an easy run in their final two matches. The Paraguayans have already been eliminated from the competition, only managing one point through 4 games, and River already defeated Nacional in their first encounter at the Monumental.

River fans can still sense the danger leading up to tonight’s match. River have yet to win away from home in the Copa, only scoring one away goal in their 2-1 loss to San Martin. And River haven’t won any game, in either the Copa or the league, since March 21.

Technically, should River only manage a draw tonight, they would still have a chance of advancing, though it would require them to defeat San Martin by a 3-goal margin, as the Peruvians hold a better goal differential. Anything else would mean lights out.

Predictions? Nestor Gorosito is well aware of the what is needed, so look for a more offensive, 3-5-2 formation. Unless Nacional are hoping to play the role of spoilers, on paper this should be a win for River. Games are won on the pitch however, and la banda must, must, must come through tonight. Nothing else is acceptable.

NOTES: As if we needed any extra motivation to win tonight, a story in today’s Diario Olé suggests the possibilty exists of a River-Boca draw in the round of 16. Two very complicated scenarios would produce this “Copa Superclásico.” First, they would meet if River draw tonight and defeat San Martin 3-0, and if Boca win their final two games. They would also be drawn together if Boca lose tonight and win in two weeks, and if River win both their final games. Of course, results and goal differences from other matches would also affect the outcome, and I won’t even try to figure out those calculations now.

For now, the only objective is to win. But admit it, a chance to face Boca in the Copa does sound enticing.