With the 2010 Clausura tournament finally finished, River ended the tournament with 22 points and in 13th place. Yes, one could say that these standings could have been better if past games were won under Coach Angel Cappa but that would also pose a challenge in comparison to last night’s game. In front of a multitude crowd, River lost to Tigre with a disastrous 1-5 result. In addition, Marcelo Gallardo’s last game and farewell from the club was also lost within the result of the match. It was a sad way to finish, what had appeared to be, a promising lead into the next season.
In sixteen minutes into the first half, Tigre was already up 3-0 on the scoreboard. River’s defense looked like Swiss cheese in comparison to previous matches. Once again, serious mistakes prevailed much of this section and it surely did cost the match. Losing by so much, so early, does play a major role in the morale of the team. The lost look of the players reinforced doubt in contemplating the next attack. Before the end of the half, Tigre had scored two more goals, making the score 5-0. Imagine how the players must have felt, let alone Coach Cappa. So much support from the home crowd, and this was the way to repay the fans back?
Luckily, Tigre stopped scoring goals in the second half. Rogelio Funes Mori took one back for River after the only semi-concrete play for River in the match. Of course, it was not enough. As mentioned earlier, this would be Marcelo Gallardo’s last match with River and the ideal move was to let him play. Unfortunately, with the result against him, he was relegated to sit in the bench through out the entire match. Despite the result, River’s fans showed up in full-force and begged the team to perform better. Constant songs and chants accompanied the players but it all felt on deaf ears.
The preseason for the upcoming Apertura tournament comes after the World Cup break. During this time, Coach Cappa will have plenty of time to analyze which players need to be signed, which need to be let go, and how to bring back the glorious days back to the Monumental Stadium. Unconditional support from the fans is there; the only thing missing is positive results.
