Javier Saviola and Luis González fielded against Tigre
River Plate fought to an away scoreless draw with Tigre yesterday at Victoria in a postponed match belonging to the 13th round of the First Division A Tournament that restarted yesterday after the break during the Copa América. Veterans Javier Saviola and Luis González came from the bench to officialize their return to River.
This match was suspended on May 24 due to Atlético Paraná player Cristian Gómez’s death during a National B tournament match against Boca Unidos.
River failed to reach the top of the standings as, after the draw, it has 30 points, two behind leader San Lorenzo and one behind second-place Boca Juniors. River shares the third place with Racing Club.
González officially returned to River, ten years after his last match wearing the Millonarios’ jersey, when he entered the field to replace injured Leonardo Pisculichi in the 20th minute.
González played for River from 2002 to 2005. He scored 23 goals in 120 matches. He left the club to play for Porto (Portugal); Olympique (France) and Al Rayyan (Qatar).
Saviola’s expected comeback materialized in the 66th minute when he replaced Sebastián Driussi, 14 years after his last match in River. Saviola played for River from 1998 to 2001, scoring 57 goals in 120 matches.
River is the sole Argentine team remaining in the Libertadores Cup match. It will host Guaraní of Paraguay on Tuesday in the tournament’s semifinal.
The match was refereed by Fernando Echenique.
Teams lineups — Tigre: Javier García; Martín Galmarini, Leandro González Pírez, Juan Carlos Blengio and Ernesto Goñi; Facundo Sánchez, Lucas Menossi, Joaquín Arzura and Lucas Wílchez; Leandro Garate and Carlos Luna. Coach: Gustavo Alfaro.
River Plate: Marcelo Barovero; Augusto Solari, Jonathan Maidana, Eder Alvarez Balanta and Leonel Vangioni; Carlos Sánchez, Leonardo Ponzio, Gonzalo Martínez; Leonardo Pisculichi; Rodrigo Mora and Sebastián Driussi. Coach: Marcelo Gallardo.
D’ONOFRIO DENIAL. River president Rodolfo D’Onofrio denied yesterday that the club had a debt with Colombian forward Teófilo Gutiérrez, as the player’s agent claimed yesterday.
“We don’t owe anything to anyone. The debt that the player (Gutiérrez) mentioned does not exist,” D’Onofrio said at a press conference before the match.
Gutiérrez’s agent had said that the club owes him six months worthy salaries and bonuses.
Herald staff with DyN
Source: Buenos Aires Herald