River takes home a point after another game which produced very little in the way of scoring chances. Without ideas in the final quarter of the field, River was held scoreless for a second time in three games. The draw does move River into sole possession of first place by a point.
Any hope River fans had that this week would see a continued return to the form showed in the first few games was dashed early on when it became clear the team was unable to pose a threat to the Ferro keeper. The three pronged attack Matias Almeyda sent out failed to generate chances in a game that seemed to be constantly interrupted by fouls.
River’s first half was cautious and deliberate, seemingly content with maintaining a slow pace. For periods of the game, River was organized and made the play circulate with ease but failed to show teeth in the last quarter of the field. River’s closest chance of the half came off a corner. The cross was headed away but on the rebound Alexis Ferrero volleyed a shot just over the bar.
The second half saw tighter coverage on both sides of the ball as the fouls kept piling up. Man of the match Leandro Chichizola was called on to make two enormous saves, but beyond that saw little action. Lucas Ocampos and Carlos Sanchez were the more active players in the final stretches of the game but were unable to find a way through Ferro’s defense.
All of the confidence gained after last week’s match went out the window. Today’s dull performance leaves more questions than answers. If there are any positives to take from this game it is that River are alone at the top of the table and still unbeaten.
River had a great opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the teams chasing them at the top of the table who all slipped up this weekend. Instead River will next host Atlanta with only the slimmest lead. Promotion is still on track, even if the train can’t find its momentum.
