Recovering from a loss is always difficult. Recovering from a bad luck is always difficult. Recovering from both when everything seemed great is the most difficult challenge, for both player and fan alike. Needless to say, River not only lost the match to San Lorenzo on their home turf in Boedo but River lost badly. Humiliating would be the most appropriate word. The final score, ladies and gentlemen, was 5-1. Yes, I’m as shocked as you are and still recovering from the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth goal. If there was a time in which my love for this team was tested, this would be the perfect time.
Much could be said about the hype for this match. The rivalry between these two clubs has been growing in the past year as both teams have met in important decisive games. For those who wish not to remember, San Lorenzo eliminated River from the 2008 Copa Libertadores in the Monumental Stadium. Ever since that match, there has been heated arguments and jabs from players on and off the field. Up to the point where the match began, both crowds taunted each other with numerous songs indicated past wins and triumphs. The whistle was blown and it only took twenty-nine seconds for the Cuervo (nickname for San Lorenzo) to score. Jonathan Santana opened the flood gates that would put River behind. With River unorganized in the match, San Lorenzo took full control and passed another shot past River’s Juan Ojeda in the 5th minute. More uneasiness lead to San Lorenzo’s third goal at the 17th minute by Jonathan Botinelli. Can you imagine being down three goals with only twenty minutes into the game?
Nobody could believe what was happening on the pitch and it seemed like River’s last place ghost was haunting them again. Fortunately, Diego Buonanotte put River on the scoreboard on the 24th minute. At this point, I was discouraged from watching the game. Even the past week’s wins would overshadowed by this temporary loss. Nonetheless, I hoped for the best and waited for halftime to arrive. At least, I thought, halftime would regroup the team. I was wrong once again. River’s latest nemesis, Gonzalo Bergessio, scored the Cuervo’s fourth goal at the last minute of the half. Silence was my best option.
With the game 4-1, I was already feeling the taunts and reprieve from the Argentine media. For those who do not live in Argentina, the media can be very aggressive when it comes to sports. River has been the laughing stock of the press for quite sometime, a factor that was unheard of five to ten years ago. As I prepared my notes, I was startled once again by another goal. Nestor Silvera put San Lorenzo up four goals and the game was officially 5-1. I did not want to keep watching but my love for River did not allow me to turn off the television. The faces on the players was miserable but on the fans, even worse. Being surrounded by opposing fans is one thing but to be humiliated by a team who has practically never won anything in their history is another. River next’s match is against San Martin of Peru for the Copa Libertadores and the match will be played in Peru. Good luck River, we need it.
