It has been some time since Argentina had a nail-biting title race which boiled down to the final minutes of the final game, but that is what seems to be in store on Saturday March 7th after Boca Juniors moved within one point of leaders River this weekend.
The 2017 and 2018 champions won comfortably away at Colon to move level with River, who were only able to draw 1-1 with Defensa y Justicia in Buenos Aires on Saturday night.
The evening began with visiting manager Hernan Crespo receiving a plaque and a warm ovation from the home fans, who put aside bitterness over his failed return and reflected more on the good times- notably the two goals the striker scored to win the 1996 Copa Libertadores final.
Once the game began, it became obvious that Crespo has assembled a very competent team on a low budget.
The first half saw the visitors outplay River in a way the home fans have rarely witnessed in recent times.
Defensa were able to overrun River in midfield and caused them problems on the right wing.
It was precisely from this position that Defensa opened the scoring on 22 minutes. Neither Pinola nor Casco was able to stop a cross from River’s left, and Lucero beat Rojas to the ball to stab in from close range.
It was a fair reflection of the first half. River fed off scraps as Scocco and Suarez looked isolated and ineffective. River fans even used the word ‘baile’ at half-time, literally a dance, such was Defensa’s superiority.
The half-time change was therefore obvious and predictable. With Pinola having another bad game and River lacking any penetration in attack, Quintero come on for the veteran defender.
This shift immediately reversed the flow of the match. The home side were now firmly in control, and bombarding the away team’s box. River missed a couple of chances, but on 64 minutes the breakthrough came when De La Cruz was fouled in the area.
Quintero was the man who took charge of the situation and ended River’s dire run of four consecutive penalty misses. He struck it firmly into the right side of the net, and Gallardo’s men deservedly levelled.
Pratto and Alvarez came on, and De La Cruz, Montiel, Fernandez, and Pratto all had shots saved. Usain in the Defensa goal had a very solid game.
Both teams eventually ran out of legs and a draw was a just result.
The home fans were left deflated as they would have liked a three point advantage ahead of the last game. Instead they now have only one.
A frustrated Gallardo was clearly irritated in the press conference, correcting journalists and trying to dispel any negativity after the game.
The situation is now clear. Boca will very likely beat Gimnasia on Saturday, so anything less than a win for River will see their bitter rivals overtake them on the final day.
The game is effectively a cup final, and River will even field a weakened team in Libertadores action on Wednesday in order to prepare fully.
It’s going to be a tense night of agony or ecstasy on Saturday. Yet another one for the Gallardo era.
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