The week started with reactions from several players who lamented the points lost in the last minute against Defensa y Justicia. Fernando Cavenaghi was the first to voice his opinion that the team needs to find a better way to close games out. Lucas Ocampos went further and suggested all of River’s opponents play” the games of their lives” when they get the chance to face the greatest team in Argentina.
Matias Almeyda will likely make a few changes to the starting lineup as the past two performances left much to be desired. It looks like Cristian Ledesma will come on for Luciano Vella, and River will form a 3-4-1-2 with Martin Aguirre feeding Cavenaghi and El Chori Dominguez up front.
As usual, tickets to see River at Independiente’s Estadio Libertadores de America against Deportivo Merlo were gone in a matter of moments through an online sale. All 12,000 general admission tickets were gobbled up in an instant, as were a majority of the reserved admission tickets allotted to River. A small amount of reserved admission tickets were still available as of today but are expected to sell before kickoff. 20,000 River fans will be present in the away end of the stadium.
River Plate legend Ramon Diaz has taken over as manager of Independiente. This comes to the dismay of many River fans who have been begging for Diaz to return to River, only to have their hearts broken every time the club directors decided to hire someone else when the coaching position was vacant.
Another ex-River legend though has returned to the club, or at least is close to lending a hand. Norberto Alonso, star of River during the glory years of the mid-80’s, and considered one of the greatest players ever to wear the red sash, has began the process of making peace with club president Daniel Passarella. The two men had a meeting Thursday to see how Alonso could contribute at the club. Alonso assured La Página Millonaria that the president has turned over a new leaf and is open to working with the political opposition at the club.
Acclaimed folk singer and avid River supporter, Ignacio Copani, is set to launch a new River inspired CD. Copani has 2 River albums already to his name, including Rivertidisimo which featured the current club’s anthem “El Más Grande”. The title of the new album? “Rivertidisimo, Side B – Now More Than Ever” which has raised a few eyebrows.
Finally, River Plate has been drawn in the same bracket as Lanus and San Lorenzo in the new Copa Argentina. This is the new nationwide single elimination tournament that includes all affiliated AFA clubs. Teams from the B Nacional and Primera Division enter the tournament at the round of 64 which should be played around the end of November.
