BUENOS AIRES –
River Plate started the League Cup on Sunday with a disappointment: they won 1-0 with a great goal from Miguel Borja and celebrated the official debut of two of their “jewels”, Franco Mastantuono and Agustín Ruperto, but near the end Santiago Montiel fulfilled with the “law of the ex” and sentenced the parity 1-1 in the Monumental stadium.
In a match in Zone A, River confirmed what was glimpsed: today it is an earthly team, very far from the one that rose to prominence in South America a few years ago and even quite distant from the one that became league champion a few months ago.
It is true that there is the mitigating factor of the nine casualties suffered on this first date (six injured and three called up for the Pre-Olympic). But even decimated, Martín Demichelis’ team had an extremely weak performance against a rival that lost a lot of power and presented seven debutants.
“There was a time for everyone. In the first, we were a little better than Argentinos, the second was difficult for us,” argued the “millionaire” coach, who denied being worried about his team’s performance, although he said that he plans to work very hard to “improve its performance.”
At 13 minutes, Darío Herrera gave a penalty for an alleged foul on Miguel Borja. After receiving the call from the VAR, the referee rectified. Later, the Colombian finished in great form, but was offside.
His third chance was the charm. In the first half’s stoppage time, and after a great assist from Ignacio Fernández, Borja scored by falling to the ground and hitting the ball against the crossbar.
The advantage did not improve the host, who began to languish in the second half.
The “Bug” prowled Franco Armani’s arch. And the substitute Montiel, with minor divisions in River and cousin of Gonzalo – a full-back for Nottingham Forest and the Argentine national team – celebrated in the 84th minute: a couple of dribbles, a left cross and a great goal to make it 1-1.
His celebration was controversial: Montiel showed his shirt to the stands and several River players angrily reproached him for his gesture.
Among the few good news that the day left for the “Millonario” fans (who on a couple of occasions demanded greater “effort” from their players), was the debut of Mastantuono. At just 16 years, five months and 14 days old he became the third youngest River player to debut in the first division.
The offensive midfielder entered in the 64th for Facundo Colidio. A few minutes later, center forward Ruperto made his presentation, who at 18 years old replaced “Nacho” Fernández, in a match in which Demichelis could not complete the substitute bench due to the “sickness of absences.”
In addition, it was the time of the official debut of the Uruguayan Nicolás Fonseca, reprimanded in the epilogue. The former Montevideo Wanderers player is for the moment the only reinforcement of a squad that suffered the exodus of 18 players (including Enzo Pérez and the Uruguayan Nicolás De la Cruz).
“We are active in the market,” Demichelis noted about River’s efforts to sign up with some last-minute additions in the coming days.
While the match was being played, incidents occurred in the vicinity of the stadium between members of different factions of the “Millonario” brava gang, which left at least three injured and 30 arrested, according to local media.
Meanwhile, Estudiantes – with the return of former River captain Enzo Pérez – won 1-0 on the hour against Belgrano in La Plata, while Godoy Cruz beat Defensa y Justicia 2-0 in Mendoza, in two games in the Zone b.