With Two From Abreu, River Gets a Big Away Win.

By: Mauro | September 26th, 2008

River Plate came into this match on their worst possible form. Riding a stretch of five winless matches, coach Diego Simeone has rotated players left and right in order to find a style of play that suits him. Defensor have had a decent run of form in their local league with regularity for the most part but were hosting tonight and looking for a nice lead to take with them back to Buenos Aires next week.

With a handful of players logging great performances, River Plate took the match to the Defensor Sporting players. Right from the get go, River took the initiative and dominated play and possession from the beginning of the first half. Defensor Sporting had no answers for what unfolded.

With an inspired young Mauro Diaz taking charge and Diego Buonanotte combining with him in the midfield, River created a large volume of opportunities to score but it was the final touch that was the least precise. Still, only eight minutes in, off a corner kick that carromed off Matiás Abelairas’ head, the ball landed right at the perfectly positioned Sebastián Abreu. He one timed it and Defensor keeper Martín Silva kept it out but only to have it bounce right back to Abreu for a second chance, this time it hit the back of the net. 1-0 to River.

If River had a bit more luck finishing, they could have extended their lead but luck was not on their side and they couldn’t manage one more goal.

Abreu left River at the end of the Argentine Clausura for Israeli club Beitar Jerusalem. But something fishy happened when River released the player to the Israelis because they never paid Abreu a salary that kept him from participating in the Israeli Premier League. Then, after several poor performances in the UEFA Champions League where the club was eliminated, the Israelis decided they no longer wanted him and he was left without a club. The door back to River was still open since Simeone like having him on the squad so back he came. Apparently just in time.

The second half was a bit different. It was as if Defensor had woken up because they came out with a bit more drive in them. River’s midfield lost some possession and this allowed Defensor’s front line to square off directly with River’s defense where they started to create some danger. But that’s where another River player stepped up and showed his worth. Keeper Juan Marcelo Ojeda did all he could to keep the ball out of his goal.

But just when the Uruguayans seemed like they were closer to the tying goal, River was able to find their second. Abelairas collected the ball just outside the penalty area and had a go at goal. The long range shot was bobbled by keeper Silva only to have Abreu pounce on it to knock the ball into the upper right corner of the goal. 2-0 to River. And the thousand or so River fans made themselves heard, out singing their counterparts.

A huge difference for River in an away situation especially since the 2-0 score line was a far larger difference than what was displayed on the pitch. Defensor’s production dropped dramatically after the second goal but Augusto Fernández’ red card seemed to motivate them a bit and they were able to get one back.

Off a free kick, River’s defense were playing the offside trap and Leonardo Ponzio hadn’t quite understood that and kept about three or four uruguayans on side while succssfully staying out of the play. This left keeper Ojeda all on his own to fight off the Defensor front line. And of course he lost. 2-1 to River Plate.

While the rest of the match was entertaining, Defensor sought out the tying goal but was unsuccessful in finding it.

Final Score: 2-1 to River Plate.

I had this one going the other way, 1-1. I had less hope for River in this one and Abreu’s return was definitely a catalyst in this win. IMO, a win’s a win at this pace with River. Baby steps are the order of the day since we can’t expect them to come around and win 5-0. Not yet anyway. So, yes, that means I’m happy with the win.

Next week, El Monumental will host the second leg.

Feel free to check the CONMEBOL website for results and information about upcoming matches and for those of you in need of a bracket to get your heads around the competition, get one here.