Boca Juniors defeated River Plate 2-0 at home yesterday, on the second cold night of the year. The weather certainly matched what unfolded on the pitch for the first 70 minutes, as both sides gauged each other to detect kinks in their respective chains. Both were resilient however, with Jonathan Maidana and Daniel Díaz leading efforts, the latter mustering a near perfect performance.
In the seventh minute, the first clear chance of the match arrived, and it was Boca’s. A stunning shot by Daniel Osvaldo hit Marcelo Barovero’s right post bang on, but River wasn’t rattled, immediately returning the attack albeit without great efficacy.
With its fast one touch passing, River was more precise, but Boca looked threatening with some lightning counter-attacks.
Federico Carrizo burst down the flank, crossed the ball in, and after a dummy, Andrés Chávez missed a sitter.
Not five minutes later, River broke away on the counter, showing it had that card up its sleeve as well. A ball slotted in from the left flank was met by the boot of the tireless Uruguayan Carlos Sánchez, only to hit the crossbar and fly back out of the box, clear opportunity to break the deadlock that made several Xeneize fans skip a heartbeat.
The half time whistle wasn’t too far away, and when it came, concerned murmuring was heard, as the Boca fans knew they should have been at least one goal ahead. This was particularly the case in the seated area of the stadiums, where pricier tickets are known to foster a community of significantly more irritable and picky fans.
The second half got underway much in the fashion of the first, with the Millonarios seeing a couple of good chances.
Rodolfo Arruabarrena sought to remedy the situation by bringing on Fernando Gago, realizing things couldn’t go on with River seeing that much of the ball.
The impact was instant, as Boca ceased to lose the majority of battles on the middle of the park.
With more possession, an inflow of chances began for Boca in a manner that didn’t seem forced, as in the first 70 minutes. Tired legs on the River side have likely played an important role in Marcelo Gallardo’s men conceding two late goals, considering the relentless high pressure exerted for most of the match.
Just when things seemed to be winding down toward a draw, with the frustration that implied for a Boca side that hadn’t beaten River at home since 2011, when River was relegated to the second division, youngster Cristian Pavón got on the end of a stray ball that rebounded away from the centre of the box, slotting the ball past Barovero. The speedy youth from Córdoba had been injured by River left back Leonel Vangioni over the summer and effectively took his chance to take revenge.
Logically the stadium ignited and turned even the most passive of fans into fanatics. But he wasn’t given much time to enjoy this newfound ecstasy, as minutes later, Pablo Pérez came off the bench to continue his solid form against River, having gotten on the scoresheet against the Nuñez side playing for Newell’s Old Boys.
Thereafter, River was certainly rattled, and efforts to implement the same one-touch soccer were ultimately futile, with the intense chanting of the fans proving burdensome.
Leonardo Pisculichi hadn’t been in good form, and was largely missing. The highest mark for River went to Sánchez, who could have scored, and was by far the most keen to attack. Teófilo Gutiérrez pivoted well and held the ball up front, but ultimately failed to convert, while Fernando Cavenaghi didn’t really seem fit to come on off the bench.
River applied high pressure and snapped at the heels of its opponent effectively during the opening minutes of the match, not allowing Boca to get on the ball or feel comfortable, but the Xeneizes were patient, for which Arruabarrena must be commended.
In the end, the game sheet will show yet another stale affair, with neither side able to catalyze positive intentions into great soccer. Until, that is, Fernando Gago came on the pitch and was able to turn dust into gold. With the injuries that have plagued Boca in that position, the Xeneizes will hope he can stay fit for the next two fixtures, particularly at the Monumental on Thursday.
Source: Buenos Aires Herald