Playing in awkward Tuesday night, River needed a win to maintain its first winning streak since February. There was great anticipation for this match as River visited Rosario Central in the Gran Arroyito Stadium, the same stage where Argentina lost to Brazil a few nights before. In a sad, realistic note, the last time River won as the visiting team was against Rosario Central in February. Unfortunately, it would not happen again as a poor played match resulted in another loss for the Millonarios. Much can be said about the match but the truth is that River is heading no where, fast.
Right from the start, River looked lost. Cristian “Ogre’ Fabbiani returned to the starting line up, having been off due to a ‘double yellow’ sanction. Additionally, Ariel Ortega was back leading the team but his leadership was nowhere to be found. The two “supposedly” figures of this match were nothing but burnt light bulbs. No chances were generated, no ideas were though, and no strategy was in place. Coach Nestor Gorosito has been under fire and it seems that he continues to do things his way, the wrong way. In the 15th minute of the first half, Rosario Central got on the scoreboard thanks to Guillermo Burdisso. Every goal against River is like another lost brain cell. Another half time comes along and River is down once again.
With a rude awakening to the second half, River’s receives its second goal thanks to Rosario Central’s Gonzalo Castillejos. Now being behind two goals, the initial reaction would be to come back with responsive plays. Of course that did not happen with this mediocre River. Some chances were created while field possession was relatively Central’s. At the 27th minute, a beacon of light shined upon Mauro Diaz and River was able to pull one back. This light quickly disappeared and River lost the match as a visitor, again. The pride and history of the club is disappearing, largely on the field including River president, Jose Maria Aguilar. Time is running out for Coach Nestor Gorosito as well as few players who expressed their desire to leave the club. If this happens, the fans will have to wait until December for a new River management squad.
