Returning back to the Monumental Stadium after being eliminated from the Copa Santander Libertadores was a challenge for River this past Sunday. Through out the weekend, reports from the media and various message boards paved way for mixed emotions as to how the team would be received against Gimnasia of Jujuy. For the majority of fans, elimination from the group stage in the Copa Libertadores was another failure for the Millonarios. Although River does have a chance of winning the local tournament, the focus was on the Copa. As reality sunk in for every fan, it was time to either support or go against the team. A true River fan will always support the squad, in good times or bad times, so it was real fans who showed up to watch the match. The support given from the crowd motivated the team to bring home a win, something that had not been done in five games.
As cheers and jeers towards various players filled the atmosphere, the players knew that a win was the only response. River struggled against Gimnasia in the first half as the lackluster performance on the pitch was pitiful. No matter which angle River took, Gimnasia knew how to stop the Millonarios. Coach Nestor Gorosito did his best to instruct the players on the pitch to readjust their positions and focus on possession but his messages were ignored. River was sloppy, giving many turnovers to Gimnasia and in some instances causing scary counter-attacks. One player that I would like to mention is Mauro Rosales. When he played with Marcelo Bielsa in the Argentine National Team, he was one of the most prominent forwards. This made an impression for me and I desired him to one day play for River. Seeing him play in Ajax of Holland was a great experience but he is far from those days, particularly in skill. Mauro, with a River jersey, is a completely different player. He does put all his effort but he lacks scoring goals, a factor as to why he is constantly a substitute. Against Gimnasia, he did nothing and I wondered why he was still on the pitch. Half time loomed over the Monumental Stadium, and with a 0-0 score things looked bad.
At the 12th minute of the second half, Marcelo Gallardo replaced Mauro Rosales. This substitution changed the game. The “Muneco” changed River’s mentality on the pitch and all of a sudden a new team was born. Diego Buonanotte and Radamel Falcao now had someone that made direct passes to them, thus creating many chances. Within one of these many chances, River scored the only goal of the match as Radamel Falcao zipped a shot pass Gimnasia’s goalkeeper. An unusual celebration by Radamel was made as he screamed at the fans as a way of proving himself. This caused many weird faces and gestures on the crowd, but River was on top and that is all that manners. A few minutes later, Gimnasia would be down a player as Gaston Pezzuti, Gimnasia’s goalkeeper, was shown a red card. Television replays show Gaston Pezzuti arguing with a ball boy and deliberately throwing a ball at him. His action caused Gimnasia to change tactics and lose control for the rest of the match. To add insult to injury, Gimnasia was down another man towards the end of the second half leaving the team with nine players. Of course, River took advantage of this and tried to score again but luck was no where to be found. Cristian Fabbiani? He entered in this half but did nothing making patience to slowly give way for many.
With River’s new triumph, the Millonarios are now six points from leader, Velez Sarsfield. The chances of winning this tournament are clear as long as River continues winning and the top teams start losing. On a final note, I would like to respond to all of the Boca fans who have contacted me and teased me with songs, pictures, and posters. Boca fans, your team is still not qualified so don’t be quick to judge and your team is on a losing streak. Other than that, worry about your team first. We have enough problems as it is.
