River Loses the 'Superclasico'

It took me almost 24 hours to accept the fact that River lost to Boca. For some, the game means ‘just a game’. For others, like myself, the game means more than that. I did not want to accept the fact that my beloved River lost to them. I did not want see a picture of Oscar Ahumada, as he was to blame for the first goal. I could not stand hearing the name ‘Funes Mori’ because it meant emptiness upfield. Just in case you didn’t know, River lost to Boca in the ‘Superclasico’ by a score of 2-0.

Yes, the day was sunny and bright in Buenos Aires. The notion of a game postponement was out of sight at the sun’s rays shined beautifully down. The only bad part was that it was shining a virtual toilet: the ‘Bombonera’ stadium. Like always, River fans filled the visitor section to capacity and demonstrated the unconditional love for the team. As the Millonarios made their way out to the field, jeers and whistles were loud but the love from a very special corner outclassed the unwelcomed response from Boca’s fans.

Right from the start, River looked to be the team wanting the first goal. By the 1^st minute, a wasted chance by Rogelio Funes Mori had the ‘Bombonera’ silent. Boca did not expect this reaction so quickly so they shifted positions to calm down River. Nonetheless, River still sought every opportunity to score. Unfortunately, this trend would last five minutes. Oscar Ahumada, the controversial defender that River fans either love or hate, committed a ridiculous foul against Boca. Juan Roman Riquelme was responsible for issuing the free kick, in which the ball found Gary Medel’s foot to score past Daniel Vega. Down 1-0, things quickly changed.

River became this confused entity on the pitch. Not one player could focus on Boca. Boca managed to outclass River as soon as they has possession, and River did nothing to stop them. Riquelme was able to maneuver freely amongst River’s defenders and create many chances for Boca to score. In one opportunity, a clear pass to Martin Palermo almost resulted in a bicycle kick goal past Vega. If would have happened, Palermo would have put Boca up another goal, but also make him Boca’s best goal-scorer of the team’s history. Imagine that.

The second half was worse than the first. Coach Leonardo Astrada made no changes in the initial start, keeping the same eleven ‘zombies’ on the pitch. Quickly, River fell asleep again. Within ten minutes, Boca was up another goal as Medel scored another shot past Vega. Two goals for the Chilean created euphoria for the locals, and disaster for the visitors. The tension got the best of the players, and Marcelo Gallardo was the first to react. He began a verbal assault against Medel, which ultimately led to the Chilean’s departure due to a red flag. Not only did this cause Marcelo Gallardo to be considered a ‘scratcher’ (a reference from a confrontation in which he scratched Boca’s ‘Pato’ Abbodanzierri), but he became a biter as he bit Medel’s finger during the quarrel.

The match was lost. Everything was against River on Thursday afternoon. The constant Boca songs referencing River’s possible departure to the second division, the ovation to Oscar Ahumada as he was substituted, the lack of respect for River, and the desire to give up was too much for me. I am angry, yes, but more at myself for having faith in River.