Matias Almeyda became a legend once again this afternoon in the derby against Boca Juniors. Although the team lost, Almeyda won. He left everything on the pitch today, and was crucial in various moments in defending River. After crashing a dangerous breakaway from Boca in the second half, he was given the yellow card. Despite this, he continued to play hard against his adversary. In the final minutes of the match, he had a verbal dispute with Boca’s Clemente Rodriguez and was ejected on a double-yellow booking.

Being escorted away by policemen, a usual habit of Argentine football lately, Almeyda had to face Boca’s ‘La 12’ hooligan supporters section. With the match clearly lost, Almeyda did not want to leave his last derby without having an impact on the match. As he was leaving the pitch, he clearly focused on ‘La 12’ and kissed the glorious jersey he was wearing. In addition, he grasped the jersey with his fist and demonstrated that his love for the squad is eternal.

This act alone was the culmination of stress, anger, and anguish of an unjustly result this afternoon. Once again, he became the emblem of what River is: class and loyalty. All players in the squad, including Coach J.J. Lopez, needs to see a repetition of what Matias Almeyda did today. They need to see that River is not any ordinary club; it is a club of triumph, sacrifice, loyalty, and pride.

Thank you, Matias Almeyda, for showing the world that you are a true hero and a living legend of the glorious and most-winning team in Argentina: River Plate.

Watch Matias Almeyda’s reaction:

As much it hurts to state this, River lost the derby against Boca Juniors this afternoon in the Bombonera Stadium on a total score of 0-2. Watching the match thousands of miles north of Buenos Aires, I was hurt to see my beloved team fall victim to an unjust result at the hands of a referee. I can imagine how it must have felt for the hundreds of River fans who witnessed the defeat live. Everything started right for River, but the inevitable injury of Jonatan Maidana and Juan Pablo Carrizo’s bloopers cost River the match. The only who will be left out of any criticism is Matias Almeyda. What he did this afternoon, in front of Boca’s main supporters, will always be remembered. If you missed it, read my other post.

For the first twenty minutes of the match, River was the dominant team on the pitch. Erik Lamela took control of all offensive plays by River, and he was able to get the ball where it needed to be. Boca, seeing that River was closing to scoring a goal, decided that playing-by-force would be their best option. Throughout various corner kicks, Boca’s defense created obvious fouls by holding many River players down by their jerseys but nothing was called. In fact, the referee turned the other way. Suspicious, right?

After Jonatan Maidana’s unfortunate substitution in the 22^nd minute of the match, River lost control of the game. A Boca Juniors breakaway left Juan Pablo Carrizo blocking a shot that would have been the match’s first goal of the day. A minute later, Carrizo created a pathetic blooper and scored inside his own net as his attempt to punch the ball away from a corner kick failed. His body deflected the ball inside his net, and Boca took the lead. Carrizo’s next blooper occurred when he lost focus of the ball during another breakaway, and Martin Palermo gracefully headed the ball over him. Two pathetic goals that left River in a dangerous relegation zone.

Was River even trying to score? For the most part, yes, as Mariano Pavone did the best he could to score. Rogelio Funes Mori, on the other hand, was nonexistent in the match. Under heavy critique from the fans, Funes Mori once again failed to prove himself on the pitch. He had many chances to score, let alone participate in an assist, but it wasn’t his day. Coach J.J. Lopez continues to place him in the starting line-up, but why? Funes Mori isn’t First Division material, not yet at least.

It is going to be a tough week ahead for River. We will have to endure Boca’s taunts and ridicule for a while, and eventually put this match behind us. River faces San Lorenzo next week in another Buenos Aires classic, and a victory is needed to avoid further relegation worries.

An unexpected loss occurred tonight at the Monumental Stadium as River Plate lost to All Boys on a 0-2 final score. Two crucial mistakes cost the Millonarios a chance to remain on top of the standings, and it also affected the team’s relegation position for the upcoming season. Many missed chances cost River the match, and an inspired All Boys goalkeeper assured that no shot would get passed him. With this result, River heads into next Sunday’s derby with Boca Juniors on a frustrating and negative tone.

As always, the unconditional support from the crowd should have been a major factor in inspiring the team to achieve a victory but it was not enough. River failed to deliver the quality of football expected at home. All Boys, with a great multitude of support, managed to annihilate most of River’s attack. Nicolas Cambiasso, All Boys goalkeeper, blocked every shot that reached him. It was impossible for Mariano Pavone and Rogelio Funes Mori to get anything passed him.

The visiting team’s two goals resulted from clear errors on River’s defensive end. In the first half, Alexis Ferrero created a terrible mistake covering All Boys’ Emanuel Gigliotti and the first goal of the match was scored. In stoppage time of the second half, River was awarded a corner kick with a clear chance to tie the match. Juan Pablo Carrizo left his post and ran up the pitch to try to head the ball in, but the corner kick was quickly deflected and fell onto the feet of All Boys’ Juan Rodriguez. The visiting attacker ran past everyone, including Carrizo, and blasted the shot inside the net. Two crucial mistakes that left the team and the fans dumbfounded.

Coach J.J. Lopez has a lot to think about heading into next week’s match. Boca Juniors, although struggling as well, has a positive streak lately and they will surely take advantage of River’s flaws. The most important thing for the squad to do now is to work on its weaknesses. The team cannot afford to lose next week, and for the rest of the season as a matter of fact.

Great victory tonight for River! The Millonarios, with a 10-men squad since the second half, defeated Racing Club in Avellaneda in a final result of 1-0. Mariano Pavone scored River’s winning goal before the end of the first half off a penalty shot awarded to Erik Lamela. Although River faced difficult circumstances with the ejection of Juan Diaz and Coach J.J. Lopez, the team but their game face on and won an important match. With the win, River had gotten further away from the relegation zone and has secured second place in the standings of the Torneo Clausura tournament.

Juan Pablo Carrizo, River’s most important man of the match today, was the emblem of a strong defense against Racing Club. He singlehandedly blocked many plays and important shots that could have changed the final result of the match. Once again, Carrizo demonstrated why River needs him now more than ever. His firm stance in the goal area, and his ability to annihilate the opposition’s chance of scoring, indicate greatness in the making. There has been much talk that he could be Team Argentina’s goalkeeper in the upcoming Copa America; after today’s match, he deserves it.

Erik Lamela had a good match today, contrary to what we had seen the week before. He maneuvered with ease between Racing’s defense, and it was he who was brought down within the penalty area before the end of the first half. Mariano Pavone took the opportunity to put River ahead, and he successfully put the ball in the back of the net. Unfortunately, Juan Diaz committed a mistake before the whistle and was ejected from the match with double yellow cards. In addition, Coach J.J. Lopez was ejected from the match after River arrived late on the pitch following half-time.

With these two incidents, River now had to change strategies for the second half. Racing took full advantage of the gap on the pitch and began to attack consistently. Regardless, River was able to hold Racing back in the entire second half and win the match. Three important points were acquired in Avellaneda, and River’s title hopes are slowly becoming a reality.

Watch Mariano Pavone’s Goal Below:

With the loss of Velez Sarsfield earlier in the day, River has the possibility of taking first place back in the standings. The chance to be back on top solely relied on the players; all they had to do was to defeat Godoy Cruz at home. When Jonatan Maidana put River in the lead, River did something that has been an annoying factor: defend the lead but not risk any attack. Seriously? Is that the strategy that Coach J.J. Lopez really wants for River? Another factor is the inefficiency of Erik Lamela. The youngster still lacks experience on the pitch, and he does poorly in finishing plays. In one play, he was one-on-one with Godoy Cruz’s goalkeeper. His first shot was blocked but it rebounded back to Lamela, and he poorly shot the ball outside an open net. Horrible.

Godoy Cruz did not do much to bounce back and tie the match. Out of the few counterattacks that reach Juan Pablo Carrizo, one of them resulted in a goal. Yes, one could blame the defense in letting Godoy Cruz maneuver their way into the goal area, but their goal was legit. At the 85^th minute of the match, Godoy Cruz took the lead of a free kick that just happened to be deflected by Erik Lamela. Two goals that killed River’s chances of being in first place of the Torneo Clausura tournament.

Watch the goals below:

Banfield arrived at the Monumental Stadium with the intention of ruining River’s winning momentum, but they soon found out that it was more difficult than expected to escape with a win. River has a found a great formula to win games lately by the feet of Juan Pablo Carrizo, Matias Almeyda, and Erik Lamela. These three players represent the sectors of the pitch: defense, midfield, and attack respectively. By adding Mariano Pavone to this list on Saturday night, River scored another amazing goal. First place in the standings, River now needs to focus on keeping the winning streak alive as many will try to knock down the sleeping giant.

Watch Mariano Pavone’s goal below:

River Plate came out victorious over Quilmes this afternoon with a score of 1-0, and the squad has taken first place in the Torneo Clausura 2011 standings. With a goal by Paulo Ferrari in the first half, River brought home another 3 points to accumulate a total of 15 points thus far. As always, a large group of supporters accompanied the squad to southern Buenos Aires to lend their support before, during, and after the match. River seems is heading in the right direction, but stills needs to improve in key areas to avoid losing the match during the final minutes.

After last week’s victory over Newell’s, River became determined to keep a winning streak alive. Visiting Quilmes was a challenge for the squad as both teams were seeking to distance themselves from the relegation zone. For River, last week’s superstar, Leandro Caruso, returned to the starting line-up but he struggled to maintain the same form he showed last week. Nonetheless, two important players made up the difference: Paulo Ferrari and Erik Lamela. Ferrari and Lamela played a great match this afternoon by supplying the midfield with efficient plays and tactics. As a result, Ferrari’s goal was a result from one of these plays. Diego Buonanotte also contributed to the squad in many occasions, and it seems that he will be getting more playtime as he has improved drastically in the past few matches.

In the second half, River struggled to maintain the lead. Quilmes began to overcome River’s defensive line, but Juan Pablo Carrizo assured that nothing would go through. Having a strong goalkeeper has kept River in good form, but the squad needs to improve to secure a match. Although this victory is important, it could have been lost easily. More goals are needed to secure the win. Coach J.J. Lopez must find ways to make his attackers more aggressive; and ensure the squad that they have the capability to do so.

See Paulo Ferrari’s Goal Below!

After losing to Velez Sarsfield and drawing with Arsenal, River needed to win the match against Newell’s Old Boys. Not only was the relegation zone in sight, but the team was losing focus rapidly. In front of a packed Monumental Stadium, River came out in search of three important points. Leandro Caruso, who reached the starting line-up as a result of Mariano Pavone’s injury, was responsible for River two goals and the team’s victory. Although the win was badly needed, the team continued to show signs of frustration creating effective passes and controlling possession. Nonetheless, River defeated Newell’s with a 2-1 score, and moved a few spots on the Torneo Clausura tournament standings.

Leandro Caruso had not officially scored a goal in quite a long time, and he did not want to waste this opportunity to demonstrate that he is still a dangerous player. Having the chance to prove himself, Caruso scored one goal in each half and led the team to victory. Coach Juan Jose Lopez needed Caruso to replace injured Mariano Pavone, but it seems that Caruso may have officially won his spot in the starting line-up. In the other side of the pitch, Juan Pablo Carrizo returned to the squad after recovering from an injury. Although Carrizo officially returned in the match against Arsenal, this match was his homecoming to a crowd that desperately demanded his participation in the squad. Today, Carrizo had many important saves and he clearly controlled any attempt by Newell’s to score.

Like any match for River, it turned out to be more difficult than expected. Visiting teams to the Monumental Stadium always try their hardest to knock down River, but continued fan support always motivates the team to seek the win. I have no doubt that River won, not only by goals, but by the strong fan support in the stands. From this point on, River needs to keep winning games and get closer to first place. Can it be done? Sure, but it will be a difficult road to follow.

Check out today’s goals against Newell’s Old Boys below:

It only took less than one minute for River to create its first attempt to score. Matias Almeyda, River’s most valuable player and captain, almost scored less than one minute into the match. He let Argentinos Juniors that this match was not going to be easy, and that many more dangerous situations would occur. Throughout the first half, there began to be a lot of pressure in the midfield as both teams were getting closer to score. For River, goalkeeper Leandro Chichizola was the main person responsible in clearing any dangerous shots away from the goal area. He has yet been scored upon from the start of this tournament and he is showing on why. On the other hand, one player let his frustration get to him: Paulo Ferrari. His negative reaction from a slap initiated from the rival team caused him to see the red card; as so did coach J.J. Lopez who was ejected from the match after complaining to the referee about the incident. If there was any compensation, the Argentinos Juniors player was ejected for initiating the scuffle.

In the second half, Mariano Pavone was River’s main factor in the attack. He constantly fought mini-battles with all the defenders around him but he was outnumbers many times. I fully support Mariano Pavone as he is a great player, but he cannot do it alone. The team lacks another power-forward to accompany Pavone because it is obvious that one forward is not enough. The return of River’s other forward, Rogelio Funes Mori, is weeks away as he is still recovering from his injury. Diego Buonanotte entered the match replacing Manuel Lanzini, causing River’s dynamics to change for the better but it was not enough to win the match. With this draw, River is left with 8 points and in third place behind Estudiantes and Racing Club.

Relive Mariano Pavone’s goal:

The first half of the match was a bit frustrating for River. There were moments in which River was about to make a successful play and suddenly it felt apart. It could have been many factors, but the reality was that River needed to secure itself more confidence up the pitch. In one opportunity, Erik Lamela blasted a shot past Huracan’s goalkeeper but the ball ended up hitting the goalpost, and rebounding outside the goal area. It was moments like this that made me yell thousands of miles away, but I was hopeful that something good would come out of each missed opportunity. Coach J.J. Lopez used an interesting formation prior to the start of the match which drastically gave the squad an improved look from last week. Using a 4-5-1 formation, River managed to stay in attack mode for most of the match.

Once the second half was underway, it took only five minutes for River to get on the scoreboard. Off a wonderful collective passing play by Mariano Pavone, Erik Lamela put the ball in the back of the net with class. The Monumental Stadium erupted with cheer as the squad calmed the nerves of many. At the 60^th minute of the match, Paulo Ferrari put a wonderful header past Huracan’s goalkeeper to extend the lead. Of course, Huracan tried to react quickly to the score and almost had a few chances to score, but Leandro Chichizola defended River’s goalposts with pure confidence. The young goalkeeper once again proved to Coach J.J. Lopez that his decision to keep him in the starting lineup was correct. The week finished in River’s favor, and it provided a great outlook for the upcoming week.

Watching this match brought me flashbacks of seasons passed. The lack of definition on the attack left the team in a serious predicament. Mariano Pavone, Erik Lamela, and Manuel Lanzini were responsible for River’s attack but they provided little on the pitch. The lack of goals encompassing the squad has been frustrating for the coaching staff, but not so more than the fan! How many times are we going to see missed chances that should have been drilled past the goalkeeper. Coach J.J. Lopez definitely needs to work on shooting during practice sessions because it is becoming ridiculous. Matias Almeyda proved again why he is the best player on the squad, as the veteran maintained a firm stance against his rivals. If more players were like him, this team would definitely be in better conditions.

It is important to make mention of Leandro Chichizola, River’s youngest player and current goalkeeper. Chichizola was able to clear many shots away, but his inexperience almost cost the team dearly. On two occasions he nearly gave the ball away to the rival, but he quickly regained control of the situation. If Coach J.J. Lopez opted to choose Chichizola as the main goalkeeper, then we have to respect his decision but little mistakes always cost us dearly. This 0-0 tie left a sour taste in my mouth, especially since the opponent was not that difficult to face. If memory serves me right, it is these matches that could define a tournament in the future. River, do me a favor and wake up.

Ariel Ortega played a total of 10 years with River, battling personal and professional hurdles through each period. His latest controversy was only a few days ago when he was questioned and booked in a jail in his hometown of Jujuy after an altercation in a nightclub. In recent months, his professional career was at stake as poor stamina and skills began to cause a ‘red flag’ with River’s management committee. In addition, battling alcoholism was another factor that affected his performance on the pitch. Ariel Ortega will always be a legend in the club, and the adoration by the fans will always cause furor in the stands for a long period of time.

Despite his struggles, Ariel also left many positive memories for the club. Who doesn’t remember his amazing performance against Boca Juniors in the ‘Superclasico’?! Tricks and lobbies of all sorts dumbfounded Boca’s players, and he was regarded a hero after the match. How about all the goals and assists he contributed to the club throughout all these years?! Or the many times he was part of the Argentine national team, contributing and occasionally scoring against so many nations?!

We wish you the best Ariel, and you will always be welcome in the club.

In comments to Fox Sports Radio (La Plata), he states that “I have decided to stay and contribute as much as I can. My cycle as a player ends in July, and I hope to finish much better as we did now. The club is in a difficult situation. There are great future players and I hope we can keep them; they need to be successful with the club so they could be sold better later on.”

Thanks for resigning with the club and you have our total support, Matias!

After being given the title of interim coach after Angel Cappa was fired, Coach Juan Jose Lopez gladly accepted his new role but always kept his options open as to his future. Coach Lopez was successfully leading River’s youth squads for many years, and his results always caught the eye of president Daniel Passarella. When the opportunity arose for a new coach, Coach Lopez was the first one to be considered for the job.

Since his arrival, River obtained 13 out of 18 points and defeated Boca Juniors in the ‘Superclasico’ of the Apertura tournament. The only loss was last week’s defeat against Estudiantes (0-4), but that had no effect on Passarella’s decision to keep Lopez as head coach.

Congratulations, Coach Juan Jose Lopez!

The match was completely in River’s favor from the start as clarity on the pitch allowed the ‘Millonarios’ to move freely on all sides. Erik Lamela opened the match for River with a wonderful goal off a center lobby shot. Week after week, Lamela has been improving in his position and it has caught the attention of Italian-giants, A.C. Milan. Much speculation about his possible transfer overseas has River president Daniel Passarella under pressure, but Lamela’s desire to stay at home may be the final decision maker. With the end of the first half approaching, Lanus was awarded a penalty shot after Roman unintentionally hit the ball with his harm inside the goal area. With the match now tied, River went inside the locker room looking for alternative approaches to win the match.

Coach Juan Jose Lopez organized the strategy perfectly for the second half, because River demonstrated great ball skills up until the final whistle. Six minutes in the second half, Adalberto Roman scored River’s second goal through a header. The Paraguayan defender has made a mark with his distinctive headers with River, and he has become a promising player for the upcoming season. Not to be left out, Mariano Pavone wanted to make his mark as well before the end of the match. Minutes after Roman’s goal, Pavone was awarded a penalty shot after being tackled in the penalty area. Not missing his chance, Pavone, scored River’s third goal of the match and clearly put the team above.

At the 75^th minute of the match, River’s fourth and final goal of the year made headlines throughout the day. Pavone began to rush towards Lanus goalkeeper, Mauricio Caranta, to put pressure on the goalkeeper when he possessed the ball. In a fluke moment, Pavone deflected the goalkeeper’s kick and the ball went straight inside the net. This match was a great motivational finish for River, particularly for this rough year. Much will be in talks during the break such as the continuation of Matias Almeyda and Coach Juan Jose Lopez.

View the goals below:

It was great to see Mariano Pavone score again for River, especially since he was struggling to maintain a strong presence on the attack. For weeks, he has been recovering and training with the squad; working on bettering his personal injury and perfecting his skills. In last week’s match against Olimpo, he had numerous chances to score but he was unsuccessful. This pattern of inconsistency took a toll on him, and he dedicated himself to better his position. Last night’s match against Colon was almost another unsuccessful night until the moment he scored the winning goal at stoppage time. Could this be the start of a ‘new’ Pavone? Let us all hope it is.

Not to be left out, Erik Lamela was also responsible for River’s win. The youngster has been getting more time on the pitch, and he has taken full advantage of it. With a collective pass-to-pass play from River’s midfield, the ball finally reached Lamela as he lobbied the ball over Colon’s goalkeeper. It was an amazing goal right from the start as River demonstrated a tactic not seen in past games. Each player passed the ball to each other with grace, and pushed the ball forward until it reached its destination behind the net.

The absence of Matias Almeyda in this match was considered a big setback for River, but the team managed to overcome the odds and win the match. Walter Acevedo replaced Almeyda’s position, and he did a great job performing on the pitch. The rest of the team, in particular the defense, were on the spot last night and they showcased control. The way things are going, I wouldn’t be surprised if Coach J.J. Lopez is granted a permanent spot as head coach.

Watch the goals below!

At the beginning of the match, tension on the pitch got the best of the players. River struggled to maintain possession of the ball, and almost caused some drastic mistakes that would have allowed the visiting team to score early. Ariel Ortega and Matias Almeyda were once again the pillars of the squad, both dedicated to control the defensive and offensive area, respectively. Mariano Pavone fought so hard to score, and he did have a few chances but he still is fighting an inconsistent pattern with his injury. One could see the frustration on his face as his missed chances created uneasiness on his mind, but ‘the Tank’ moved forward and concentrated well.

Adalberto Roman, River’s Paraguayan defender, scored his second goal with a beautiful header past Olimpo’s goalkeeper at the 30 minute mark. Roman has been doing a great job on defense, but he was determined to keep his scoring momentum alive since arriving at the squad. He isn’t the tallest player on the squad, but his height doesn’t stop him from scoring. During River’s weekly training sessions, he scores quite often but he has only been able to score twice during official matches. Nonetheless, his goal earned a River an important win at home.

Right before the start of the second half, Coach J.J. Lopez was ejected from the match due to the team’s late arrival to the pitch after halftime. A rule strongly enforced by referees in this Apertura tournament, a team’s coach will be ejected from the match if the squad is not on the pitch before the fifteen minutes are over. Despite this negative start to the second half, River constantly attacked Olimpo in search for the second goal. Diego Buonanotte (replacing Ariel Ortega) and Mariano Pavone missed opportunities left and right, causing frustration on the attack. Olimpo took advantage of their mistakes and clearly moved the ball up the pitch where Juan Pablo Carrizo awaited them. Carrizo saved many, many shots that were almost inside the net. His actions basically won the match for River.

Although Olimpo isn’t a strong team in the standings, they still posed a threat since they are also fighting for a spot to escape the relegation zone. River can now start the week with a positive mind, and focus on winning the last three remaining matches of the Apertura tournament.

Since early this morning, River fans slowly made their way to the Monumental Stadium in preparation for tonight’s match. Although the match was played on a rare Tuesday night, the turnout was high and expectations were met. Various flags, balloons, and umbrellas sporting red and white colors gave the stadium a classic look; a look from past, glorious moments. It would be appropriate to welcome the squad with tremendous support and fans did just that. As soon as the squad hit the pitch, a wave of red and white confetti showered the players along with balloons and fireworks. In addition, a huge flag debuted in the stands which completely covered the stands behind the goal area.

River demonstrated throughout the match that they were determined to win as Boca struggled to create plays. The return of Matias Almeyda to the starting lineup was a huge factor in the midfield. His presence alone generates solidarity in this section; proving that those around him rely on his guidance for support. Ariel Ortega was in doubt to be in the starting lineup, but Diego Buonanotte’s injury allowed Ortega to play from the start. Ortega managed his way through Boca’s wall of defense, and at times made them look ridiculously weak. Boca’s coach, Claudio Borghi, watched in disbelief as his team melted away.

The hero of the match, Jonathan Maidana, gave River the winning goal by putting a header into Boca’s net. For Maidana, this match was special for two reasons: he scored his first professional goal of his career and he played against his former club, Boca Juniors. As usual, those who have crossed neighborhoods to play for either club become the focus of the match. Luckily, this pressure did not have an effect on Maidana and his composure was rewarded with a goal. Playing a derby as important as this is special for any player, but having the winning goal is in a class of its own.

Boca’s fans tried to ruin the festive moment by lighting up flares that ultimately created tons of smoke and flames in the stands. In an act of poor sportsmanship, Boca’s fans decided to launch these flares over their balcony. The flares landed on some River fans and created small portions of flames on where they landed. Seriously? Is this the way you want to represent your losing team? No wonder nobody respects Boca’s fans wherever they show up. Nonetheless, River won the match and the derby. Bragging rights are on our side until we meet next time. Come on River!!

Relive the goal by watching the clip below:

It was tough to see River lose today, along with the expression of the fans’ faces. I’m tires of commentating on the players because it would be a waste of time explaining their horrendous playmaking. The only two players that I can credit are Diego Buonanotte and Juan Pablo Carrizo. Buonanotte for his comeback to the starting line-up and his dedication, and Carrizo for saving River from an embarrassing loss. Now that I got those two out of the way, I want to focus back on the fans. Is it me or is it getting harder watching team week after week? I wish I didn’t feel this way, but the chemistry between fans and players is nowhere to be found.

It’s amazing to see the unconditional support but it’s insulting to see players and the staff fail on the pitch. Ariel Ortega, a River legend, is amazing during practice but not during a real match. Mariano Pavone is yet to be to the player he was in Estudiantes. Lanzini and Lamela are still too young to make an impact. I could go on and on and on. The match with Boca Juniors is less than one week away and a cloud of doubt and confusion engulfs River Plate. Of course, our “cousins” have their own mess to worry about but they don’t have to worry about relegation like River does. Much needs to improve, but even that is not enough to overcome years of false hopes.

The question now is who will take charge of the squad. The ‘Superclasico’ derby with Boca Juniors is on Tuesday, the 16^th, and River will receive Boca without a formal coach. Rumors are beginning to circulate that Americo Gallego (ex-River, ex-Independiente, ex-Newells), Marcelo Bielsa (ex-Argentina National Team, ex-Chile National Team), and Juan Jose Lopez (River Training Staff) are possible choices. Desperate times make room for desperate measures, and River fans are quite used to this.

By the way, ‘Coach Cappa’ stated that he would coach Boca Juniors. No comment.

Already a custom when River is the visiting team, a great multitude of fans went to support the squad. In various occasions during the match, River’s crowd was louder than the home crowd. Of course, this was more pressure for River to win, especially as ‘La Pagina Millonaria’ stated in an earlier report that River had not won as the visiting squad since February 2009. So much to play for, and so much to give back to the fans. Coach Angel Cappa decided to bench Ariel Ortega for the first half since Ortega’s last performance was not so great. Once again, Coach Cappa opted for the youngster Erik Lamela. Although Lamela is a promising star, he continues to lack the necessary skills to start in the first half and it clearly shows on the pitch. His frustration takes over him, and he is pretty much a ghost on the pitch.

I don’t want to put a lot of blame on him, so let me focus on the area that did fail the team tonight: the defense. When Godoy Cruz approached River’s defense, everything seemed to collapse! The defense had a difficult time clearing the ball away and it struggled to cover each player. To top it off, Juan Pablo Carrizo had another difficult night and could not grasp the ball as much. In the second half, Godoy Cruz had three or four clear shots to put the ball in the net. Luckily for River, it was their bad accuracy that kept the score the way it was. Lots of improvement has to be done in this area because each adversary easily creates trouble for the defense and goalkeeper.

The best player on the pitch tonight was Mariano Pavone. ‘The Tank’ was everywhere on the field, fighting each possession with determination. As a result, he earned himself two goals in the match and the ‘Player of the Match’ in my book. In every instance, he was there contributing to the team despite being the only attacker in River’s formation. Coach Cappa brought out Rogelio Funes Mori towards the end of the match to help the attack, but Pavone was clearly in control of this section. At the end of the match, Rogelio Funes Mori should have been the hero with his winning goal, but a bad ref call seconds before the final whistle was enough to ruin the win. This match ended with controversy amongst the ref and River’s coaching staff, but all the yelling and foul language will not change the result.

Watch the match’s goals below!

Already four minutes into the match, and Banfield could have been on top. River’s defense, which was missing Alexis Ferrero, struggled to clear the ball away and paid the price. After a high lobby around River’s net, Juan Pablo Carrizo launched himself to punch the ball away. Unfortunately, he pitifully ‘smacked’ the ball only a few feet and Banfield took advantage of his mistake. Banfield’s Ruben Ramirez was clearly open in front of the net, and tapped the ball inside. How embarrassing it was too see Carrizo make such a horrendous mistake! The look on his face said it all, but the look on Coach Angel Cappa’s face was much more disastrous. Throughout the first half, River’s attackers also found themselves struggling to score. Mariano Pavone and Erik Lamela created few opportunities to score, but Ariel Ortega was responsible for their efforts since he was the player assigned to pass the ball to them.

Before the end of the half, Banfield was awarded a penalty shot when defenseman, Carlos Arano, committed a foul against Banfield’s Ruben Ramirez. As a result, Coach Cappa began to protest the call and was ejected from the match. The possibility of being down 0-2 was realistic, but Juan Pablo Carrizo made sure to not let that happen and blocked the penalty shot. Imagine if the ball would have gone in?!

At the second half, things got better for River. Ariel Ortega recharged during the break, and began to be his normal self on the pitch. Slowly, River took charge on the pitch. At the 60^th minute, Mariano Pavone was awarded a penalty shot after a Banfield defender pulled on his jersey in a dramatic fashion. Ariel Ortega took charge of the penalty, and put River on top. Now the match tied, things looked better for River but the illusion lasted minutes when Banfield got back in the lead. Another goalkeeping flaw by Carrizo resulted in a goal. Banfield’s center lobby pass should have been covered by Carrizo, but he was out of place and he saw the ball go inside the net from the ground.

When Diego Buonanotte replaced Ariel Ortega with ten minutes left in the match, I was confident that he would help the team do better. In fact, I even predicted a goal from him. Although my prediction was off, he did play a role when River scored the last goal of the match. His participation resulted in more efficient counterattacks and thorough passes. Adalberto Roman, the Paraguayan defenseman who struggled to maintain his position though out the match, scored a header past Banfield’s net. His goal was welcomed to the large group of fans who went to support River in southern Buenos Aires, and for Coach Angel Cappa who screamed from the top of his lungs after being ejected earlier. The draw is better than a loss, but River needs to improve to stay out of the relegation zone.

Ariel Ortega and Adalberto Roman scored in the second half, giving River an important draw.

Juan Pablo Carrizo created many saves that kept River in the match, but he also created two crucial mistakes that cost a win.

Check out the match’s goals below:

There were a few minor changes in this week’s starting line-up for River. In the midfield, Adalberto Roman and Josepmir Ballon made their presence while Erik Lamela and Mariano Pavone made their initial debut in the attack. River came out strong, with more confidence than in previous matches. Right away River’s offense began giving Quilmes a difficult job. Between Diego Buonanotte and Rogelio Funes Mori, many clear chances were created to get on board. In one opportunity, Funes Mori had the perfect chance to score but his shot was a few centimeters wide causing everyone to hold their breath dramatically. For a number of fans here in ‘La Pagina Millonaria’, Funes Mori continues to be a debatable player: you either love or hate him. With all of his missed chances lately, it is becoming more difficult to support the young star.

In the second half, Ariel Ortega returned to the pitch to replace Josepmir Ballon. The Peruvian player has had more minutes on the pitch, but it still adapting to a more rapid-paced football than he was used to. At the 47^th minute of the match, Mariano Pavone scored his first goal for River after receiving a corner kick from Ariel Ortega. After River’s early second-half goal, things became more one-sided on the pitch. Quilmes had a difficult time control counterattacks on the side, and River rapidly managed to get to their side fast. Unfortunately, Quilmes became desperate and started creating fouls throughout each play. The referee in this match, whose name I refuse to state due to resentment, looked the other way during certain moments which would have given River a few penalty shots. Once again, poor refereeing ruined the match. Just when the match was coming to a close and an important three points were at an arm’s reach, Quilmes tied the match off a free kick. The ball managed to elude all of River’s defense and J.P. Carrizo, quickly forcing the match to end on a draw. The match was not lost, but the illusion of winning was nowhere to be found.

After receiving a great corner kick from Ariel Ortega, Pavone kicked the ball straight in past Quilmes’ goalkeeper.

Relive the goal by watching the clip below:

Right from the start, River was aware the early possession would be the key in maintaining a strong attack. As the match got into its first few minutes, harsh struggles on both sides created a very tense atmosphere on the pitch. Matias Almeyda, a pillar in the midfield, was keen in avoiding mistakes from his section. It was precisely in this area that both squads took great attention to. On the defensive side, Jonathan Maidana returned back to the starting line-up after recovering from injury, and along with Arano, Ferrari, and Ferrero, the defensive line became firm. During this first half, a few clear chances to score became available but only the ‘last touch’ was needed to finalize the play. Ariel Ortega was brilliant; creating plays and scoring chances for his teammates, as always. Time would run out in the first half, and a much-needed pep talk from Coach Cappa reinforced River in the following 45 minutes.

Slowly, River was making a presence in Arsenal’s goal area in the second half. Nothing was concrete until the latter part of the half. At the 74^th minute, River was awarded a corner kick after heavily attacking Arsenal from the right side. A perfect corner kick from Ariel Ortega allowed Rogelio Funes Mori to gracefully head the ball in past Arsenal’s goalkeeper. The Monumental Stadium erupted with cheer and applause at the sight of the players’ celebrations, and the notion of victory was becoming a reality. A few minutes before the end of the match, Arsenal decided that pushing and shoving would be their only way to distract River. As a result, they managed to get one their players and River’s Roberto Pereyra ejected from the match after an altercation but the match quickly ended in River’s favor. Now tied in first place with Estudiantes de la Plata and Velez Sarsfield, River escaped from a direct relegation spot and is a leader in the 2010 Apertura Tournament.

Relive the Rogelio Funes Mori’s header by watching the goal below:

What a tough night for River. After maintaining a draw for a short time into the second half, a ridiculous move by Jonathan Maidana gave Velez a penalty shot which quickly turned into the winning goal. River didn’t play a great match, but they could have maintained a draw if it wasn’t for the unfortunate penalty shot. Visiting Velez in the neighborhood of Liniers is a challenge, especially since they are considered the best team in Argentina. Diego Buonanotte became River’s hero, but it was not enough. Tonight proved that their superiority is still in place, and that River still needs to work hard to escape relegation.

River went into the match knowing that other results had put them into the relegation ‘red zone’. Maybe it was the psychological effect that had an impact on the players, but River demonstrated that there are slowly heading in a downward spiral. Last week’s match against Argentinos Juniors was a dreadful draw, so a victory was needed to maintain a strong role in the standings. During the first half, River struggled to clear away the ball during confrontations in the back end. Although Maidana and Ferrero made their presence known, Velez still managed to work their way into River’s goal area. In the 32^nd minute, Velez finally broke through the defensive line and scored the first goal of the match. Ten minutes later, River responded with a superb shot by Diego Buonanotte and tied the match before half-time.

Buonanotte was going through some physical struggles in the past few matches, so it was important for him to celebrate the goal along with the fans. His excitement and determination motivated River’s side in the beginning of the second half, and for a moment it seemed that River would be scoring yet again. Velez reacted quickly and took possession of the ball; creating dangerous advances each time they counter-attacked. As a result, they were about to score their second goal when Jonathan Maidana tripped Santiago Silva from behind and forced a penalty shot. Juan Pablo Carrizo looked confident to stop the ball, but Silva knew exactly where to shoot it and scored the winning goal.

At the 67^th minute, Velez’s Leandro Somoza earned a red card and he left his team with 10 men on the pitch. You would think River would take advantage of that, right? Wrong. River got more confused on the pitch, and became sloppier as the minutes passed. Coach Angel Cappa, already having a grudge against Velez Sarsfield, was silent and quickly made an exit out of the pitch. River’s next match is against Arsenal of Sarandi, the ‘surprise’ team who is now the leading team in the standings. Lots of work to be done this week, Coach Cappa.

At the 42^nd minute of the first half, Diego Buonanotte scored River’s only goal of the match. With the first half coming to a close, the ‘Enano’ brought River back to life. His celebration is synonymous with the affection and pride that every River fan possesses.

Although River lost the match to Velez, it is important to recognize Buonanotte’s excellent shot into Velez’s net. There is still a lot to play for in this 2010 Apertura Tournament, so show your support and keep motivating the team week after week!

Watch the goal below:

Coach Angel Cappa had to rely on his youngsters in today’s match, particularly with Manuel Lanzini who replaced Ariel Ortega in the starting line-up. Lanzini did not fail, and he played an important role in distributing the ball up the pitch. Diego Buonanotte, already a leader in the team, created various chances in the first half but could not deliver the final touch. The youngster who made the most significant impact was Rogelio Funes Mori. At the 8^th minute of the first half, he put River ahead with a short shot into the net off a center pass. With the match now controlled, Independiente surprised the Monumental Stadium and tied the match ten minutes later thanks to Nestor Silvera. At the 18th minute, Funes Mori dribbled the ball with a slider into Independiente’s net and caused the stadium to explode. Funes Mori’s presence has gained momentum since the beginning of the tournament and he is undoubtedly a dangerous presence on the attack.

Paulo Ferrari, one of River’s strongest players in the past few years, scored River’s third goal after a powerful shot from the side. The famous ‘tiki-tiki’ strategy, created by Coach Cappa, showcased an aggressive River upfront. The term ‘tiki-tiki’ itself references the continuous short passes to move the ball up the pitch. Matias Almeyda, River’s strongest pillar, controlled any push by Independiente but the second half showed some of River’s flaws in the backend. Independiente slowly gained control of the match, and became a serious threat towards the end. Minutes before the end of the match, Independiente scored their second and final goal of the match thanks to a header that rebounded of River’s goalkeeper. Despite his unfortunate own-goal, Juan Pablo Carrizo saved the match from a draw after a dangerous shot by Nestor Silvera graced Carrizo’s gloves to go above the post. A sigh of relief was felt after the final whistle, and today’s victory put’s River on top of the standings along with Velez Sarsfield.

The constant support from the fans was important to motivate the players this afternoon. Right from the start, songs and chants of support created a positive atmosphere in the stadium and the energy manifested itself on the pitch in today’s victory.

Right from the start of the match, River had an fierce grasp of possession. Little did they let go of the ball and seldom did Huracan form a counterattack. With the combination of Ariel Ortega and Diego Buonanotte on the attack, River had multiple instances to score. Finalizing the plays continues to be an issue, but this area has greatly improved from past performances. At the 11^th minute of the match, Facundo Affranchino received a center lobby off Funes Mori which resulted in River’s only goal of the match. From that point on, River maintained possession upfield and never let go. Although Huracan tried their best to scare River, the defensive pillar of Matias Almeyda and company held them back.

In the second half, an unfortunate incident affected Ariel Ortega. His playmaking and skills were important factors in River’s strategy, but his temper got the best of him. After landing a bad elbow shot to one of Huracan’s forwards, he was shown the red card and ejected from the match. With one player less on the pitch, River had to change to a defensive formation forcing Huracan to push forward. Some situations were dangerous, but River managed to hold back strong and finish the match with a win. A wonderful first-half display and a dangerous second-half caused River to get off-balance, but experience and focus created a positive outcome.

Off a center lobby by Rogelio Funes Mori, Affranchino put the ball past the net and secured River’s second straight win in the 2010 Apertura Tournament.

Image courtesy of La Pagina Millonaria

Coach Angel Cappa had everything in his favor to have a dominant team on the field. Pressure got the best of him and the players a few minutes into the match as Tigre took possession quite rapidly. Although they had only a few chances to score, they quickly emphasized that it was not going to be an easy match. Coach Cappa opted for River youngster, Manuel Lanzini, to control any attacks on the left side of the pitch but his inexperience proved to much for him. Tigre used strong counter attacks towards River, but they could not finish any plays except for one which hit the post.

The second half was much better for River. Coach Cappa analyzed the situation, and quickly made readjustments in the midfield. Facundo Affranchino replaced Lanzini, and River was able to control Tigre from moving up the pitch. Ariel Ortega, along with Diego Buonanotte, made their presence equally known in front of Tigre’s defense. Slowly, they generated situations of goal which ended in shots above the bar or passed the sidebars. The pressure of River’s forwards was intense, especially with the motivation from the home crowd. At the 46^th minute of the patch, off a break-away from Ariel Ortega, River scored the only the goal of the match off a header by Rogelio Funes Mori. Infuriating Tigre’s head coach was great, but screaming the goal was the highlight of the afternoon. A minute later, River could have scored another goal but the shot was just shy off the left post. An important three points was accomplished today; important points to acquire the 34^th championship.

Relive Funes Mori’s goal, by Ariel Ortega’s important break-away, this afternoon in stoppage time.

River president, Daniel Passarella, and the CEO of Petrobras Argentina, announced the sponsorship renewal agreement. ‘PETROBRAS’ will continue to appear on River’s jersey for an additional couple of years. Since 2006, the oil firm has been a strong supporter of the club.

All images belong to La Pagina Millonaria

River president, Daniel Passarella, announced each new player to the press days before the first match of the 2010 Torneo Apertura against Tigre. After the presentation, the players answered questions to the multiple media outlets at hand.

Visit the galleries below!

Gallery of River’s Newest Apparel

Gallery of Presentation Event

Gallery of River’s Newest Jersey

Central Norte, a second division team, had many fans supporting them in their intention to defeat River. On the other hand, a greater multitude of River fans went to support the ‘Millonarios’ along with a load of flags and banners. Once again, River became the local squad and its presence generated excitement outside and inside the stadium. With the cool temperatures being an obstacle in the beginning of the match, each team took a few minutes to generate plays on the pitch. Coach Angel Cappa used most of his strategic line-up including Ariel Ortega, Diego Buonanotte, Rogelio Funes Mori, and Matias Almeyda. The first half showcased a different River from the previous exhibition match, as an offensive push was constantly pushing Central Norte back. Missed chances to score became a factor, but the pressure was on.

In the second half, Coach Cappa brought in Leandro Caruso for Rogelio Funes Mori. It was the best decision of the night, by a long shot. Caruso immediately began fighting for possession and making his presence known on the pitch. It took him seven minutes to score his first goal for River, and a sigh of relief was felt from the coaching staff. After the first goal, he constantly was pushing the team forward and even demonstrating some tricks along the way. At the 24^th minute of the second half, Central Norte’s defense committed a disastrous error clearing the ball. Caruso took full advantage of the error, and netted River’s second goal. With River now up 2-0, the match was under control. Central Norte had a few breakaways here and there, but nothing concrete forced JP Carrizo to worry. One minute before the end of the match, Caruso scored his third goal of the match off another error from Central Norte’s defense. River ended the match with a positive result, and a positive outlook for the upcoming 2010 Apertura tournament.

Mariano Pavone will be heading to Buenos Aires in the next few days to finalize all contractual agreements, and immediately be available for preseason training. It was a long road to acquire the ex-Estudiantes player, but patience won at the end. Finally, Pavone will be making his childhood dream: to play for River’s first division squad.

Welcome, Mariano, to the greatest club in Argentina!

Coach Angel Cappa faced his first exhibition match outside of Buenos Aires, so the pressure was on since the start. A combination of experienced and recently acquired players entered the frigid pitch with the idea of demonstrating their abilities to the coach. Familiar faces included Juan Pablo Carrizo, Diego Buonanotte, Matias Almeyda (captain), and Rogelio Funes Mori. As for the new group, Jonatan Maidana, Carlos Arano, and Walter Acevedo made their first official appearance.

The start of the match found both sides struggling to understand each others’ strategy, but Gimnasia was the quicker one to respond. At the 9^th minute, Gustavo Balvorin put Gimnasia on top with a shot past Carrizo. Yes, that early goal had a an important moral factor for River because nobody expected it. The struggle to maintain possession of the ball and create an attack was beginning to engulf the mind of River’s players. Gimnasia read the body language, and began to attack for multiple angles. For a moment, it seemed that River was nowhere to be found on the pitch. Luckily, halftime provided River an opportunity to regroup before things got worse.

Through out the second half, things did not improve. One can only assume that Coach Cappa directed the players to try a different formation, try a new strategy, or do something but that was not the case. In fact, Gimnasia made River look like an amateur team based on the way they were playing. Gimnasia seemed to be closer to scoring their second goal rather than River equalizing the match. Even their fans screamed “ole! ole!” after each pass. Nonetheless, under the guidance of Diego Buonanotte, River began to slowly respond. His constant push and determination helped River finally reach Gimnasia’s end with ease. At the final minutes of the second half, Rogelio Funes Mori blasted a beautiful shot into Gimnasia’s net. The goal saved the night for both River players and fans. With only 3 weeks left for the 2010 Apertura tournament, there is much to work on.

Marking his third debut as River’s goalkeeper, Juan Pablo Carrizo had his first practice today in the Monumental Stadium. Finalizing paperwork between River and Italian-side Lazio was difficult, but an agreement was made which allowed Carrizo to arrive in River. Regarded as one of River’s best acquisitions for the Apertura 2010 tournament, Carrizo knows that he will have a lot of work to do defending River from rival attackers. Today’s practice highlighted a new look for the prestigious goalkeeper, as well as improved abilities and skills.

Here are photos of today’s morning practice:

Source: Prensa River / Diego Haliasz

As players take advantage of the weekend to rest, Coach Angel Cappa is concentrating in this week’s training sessions, and awaiting the final incorporation of Juan Pablo Carrizo to have all of his players at hand.

In the Defensores de Belgrano Stadium, River will perform a closed-door, double-shift practice. In the morning, the players will do their usual routines while in the afternoon, a group chosen by Coach Cappa will face the reserve squad led by Coach César Laraigneé.

However, the highlight of the week will be the clash on Thursday afternoon against Libertad of Paraguay in the Monumental Stadium. The Paraguayan team will be an interesting opponent for River’s developing formation, although it will be an informal match with no public viewing.

The schedule has not been defined but within a week, the squad will travel at night to Salta where they will continue to work with the objective of being in top condition for the start of the Apertura 2010 tournament beginning on August 6^th.

Although not yet officially confirmed, River will participate in a quadrangular tournament in Salta. The proposed teams to face would be: Universidad San Martin de Porres (Peru) and two Salta teams: Juventud Antoniana and Central Norte, according to information published by Clarin media outlet.

The training will be held on the training grounds of Los Altos, with the intention of bringing 30 players for evaluation under Coach Angel Cappa. He will carefully assess the characteristics of each player to fully integrate the best team performance.

River’s new signings arrived, and there is still hope for more new faces. But there is another point to mention and it is that a great number of players were cut since they did not meet Coach Cappa’s expectations. Many familiar names will no longer be associated with River, a risky move that could prove successful or not.

Between personal departures and end-of-contracts, key players such as Marcelo Gallardo, Oscar Ahumada, Gustavo Cabral, Nicholas Navarro, Gonzalo Luduena, Mauro Rosales, Martin Galmarini and Cristian Villagra will not continue at the club. In addition, a disclose Israeli club is interested in acquiring Matias Abelairas.

In addition, Diego Barrado, Andres Rios and Maximiliano Oliva are seeking new clubs as they did not take advantage of playing to their best abilities. Some players were relegated to River’s reserve squad such as Maximiliano Coronel, Pezzella Germain, Fabio Gimenez and Lucas Orban.

The situation is different for the following players: Facundo Quiroga, Rodrigo Archubi, Daniel Vega, Juan Ojeda and Gustavo Canales. Quiroga and Archubi have not even trained with River thus far, which practically eliminates them from the club. Vega and Ojeda still seek to renew their contracts with the club despite knowing that they may be permanent substitutes when Juan Pablo Carrizo makes his presence. Canales has been training with the squad but has been closely linked with first-division club, Colon.

“You always dream of the best. I wish this is my year, but also for the others; for the sake of River. I’m a fan and I would give my life for this jersey. The coach speaking well of me is very important, a great joy. Now it is up to me to get on the pitch and prove everything I can give,” said Diego Buonanotte in remarks published in today Diario Olé.

‘The dwarf‘ has been participating in River’s training sessions and he has been scoring, the latest being yesterday with a penalty kick. As he looks into the future: “Every time I stepped on the pitch, I was happy and wanted to play. Now that I’m going to start the tournament with Coach Cappa, I hope we all have the same happiness,” stated Buonanotte.

Relegation?: “We have to focus on positive things, like winning a title. Then we’re going to start thinking in accordance to the moment. Recently we started preseason training, and we want to be calm but we all know that we can give our best and place River above the rest. We must think in becoming champions. “