River Plate Clausura 2008 results and game comments [R]

[ElMuneco]

Since nobody started this thread, I figured now's the time. As for our first game, it was a 2-0 win over Gimnasia de Jujuy. This I feel was an important win for us seeing that we got off on the right foot.

[ElMuneco]

As for today, we drew 0-0 against a complicated Newell's Old Boy's club in Rosario today. I wasn't able to watch the match, but from listening to it online, it didn't seem like we played very well.:mad: I would imagine the heat didn't help very much, but then again, that shouldn't be an excuse. We have far too many superior players than Newell's does and should've came away with a victory.

[golazo26]

Some observations from the River/Newell's match today.

River looked pretty inept against Newell's today. Carrizo had an outstanding game and Newell's were pretty threatening on set pieces and crosses into the area. Nico Cabrera was man of the match on the right wing and Newell's left wing didn't play too badly either.

Buonanotte made a couple of decent passes and I like the way that Abelairas plays as a double five -- he has a nice range of passing from deep. Falcao was the only attacking player who really came close to scoring aside from Abreu's chip from half-field in the first five mins. Ortega just looks lost out there. River really needed something from him today but he didn't contribute much.

[cigar_city]

Golazo - I saw the game, soy hincha leprosa, and I agree with your assessment. Particularly in the second half, Nuels dominated in the attack. Newell's were stymied several times by impressive Carrizo saves. I agree that Cabrerra was MOM, and in second place was Carrizo. forgot to add that Carrizzo is the best arquero Argentino I've seen in the last couple of years, Lazio must be kicking themselves for not making his transfer happen.

Cabrerra won't be around much longer unortunately, he looks the real deal from what I've seen the last two games. Ridculously premature to say so, but it is apparent to me, I've seen this movie before in Argentina with talented speedy wingers who pass well.

Schiavi is also playing very, very well, I had frankly thought he was washed up. Glad i was wrong.

Muneco - Funny that you think River has such superior players and that your team should've won. river always has trouble with Newell's, and historically doesn't have much success at El Coloso. River is not as good as you think they are this year, it will take Cholo this year to sort it out.

DALE NEWELL'S

[golazo26]

Cigar: Cabrera really did look good. Even though he was playing against a poor (IMO) left back in Villagra, Cabrera looks like he is back at the level that he was at in Gimnasia. I'm glad he got out of Racing for his sake. Bernardello also looks like a decent player. I haven't seen a lot of him, what's your take on him?

[megamac20817]

I have to admit that Newell's was a lot more dangerous than River was, but a draw was a pretty fair result, Villar had his fair share of impressive saves after all (And Villagra shook the post early on too).

And I disagree that Villagra is a poor left back, at least not what I've seen so far this season. He's play a lot better than he did last year, and he seems to be gaining confidence. Personally, I can see him building on his good form, and as his confidence grows, we might even see him make runs forward.

[ElMuneco]

Our next game is against "Los Cuervos". Actually they're playing at this moment, but I won't give an update. Anyways, this will be a key game for us since both Estudiantes and Velez both won over the weekend and have nine points each. I know for some of us, it will be difficult to watch, especially with Ramon, D'Alessandro, and Placente on the other side. Let's get a victory here at home. Aguante River!!!

[ElMuneco]

Well the game just ended and River won 2-0 with goals from Falcao and Abelairas. A nice win for us today and now we can focus on Wednesday's Copa Libertadores match against Club America. The one thing that impresses me the most is that River hasn't been scored on in the Clausura. So far, three clean sheets.:eek: Is this the River we all know?? Maybe Simeone has taught the boys how to play some defense, unlike in previous years.

[ElMuneco]

Ok I just got done checking the standings. This is unbelieveable. River is the only club not to have conceeded a goal so far. Are you kidding me??:eek: When was the last time we've seen this?? Probably never.

[locoxriver]

I was really impressed by Villagra today. He played well in the other two games of the tournament so far, but today he was excellent - arguably the best on the field at times. I'm glad to see him finally feel comfortable with a River jersey, though I am still cautious. You never know, it could always be a short streak (ala Jairo Patino).

[megamac20817]

Beat you to the Villagra praise Loco :D

[locoxriver]

Beat you to the Villagra praise Loco :D

Well, I had been praising him during the preseason:

Cristian Villagra: I was surprised by the level of the ex-Rosario Central player. Although he's one of the players on our current squad whom I dislike most, he did play a good match, both offensive and defensively. If he continues playing like this, I would say it's fair to give him another shot.

Therefore, you did not beat me to it. ;) :D

[megamac20817]

That hardly counts as praise :p

[locoxriver]

That hardly counts as praise :p

Well, like I said before: it's barely been a few games that he's been playing well, so he deserves some cautious praises. He received innumerous opportunities in 2007 and played innumerous horrible games. Remember Sambueza and Patino? Well, they also had their good periods of time and never progressed from there on after.

Either way, it could just be that Villagra needed a good pre-season and someone who gave him faith and confidence (Simeone). We'll see, hopefully his level doesn't drop but rather raises.

[locoxriver]

The following quote from Leo Farinella (Diario Ole) -referring to the inexistant penalty called against River today- is brilliant:

Pedirle a un árbitro sentido común no es reglamentario, pero a qué sentido recurrió en el penal... La vista seguro que no. Si le dan uno así a River, todavía están llorando y gritando que favorecen a los grandes. Y bue...

I agree completely.

[Riverplatephilly]

Vi ayer el partido contra San Martin de San Juan, dale River. Man, poor San Martin, those players were pleading with the ref to continue on with the game. Probably wouldn't have made a difference.

Opino que los Millos estan haciendo bien en esta epoca del Clausura.
We'll see, we have more games like this and the last Libertadores match with America de Mexico, and we'll be in good shape.

Es verdad que un club en Europa esta pensando en adquirir Falcao?

[crzdcolombian]

it was a bottom feeder in Spain wanted him for 10 mill

and Aston Villa in England wanted him but then went against it

If Falcao has a big Copa Libs he will be gone, prefer him to leave in June so he will have more time to get use to his new team but prefer for him to leave next year so any adaption period to a new team wont effect Colombia's World Cup hopes as he a top player for us, but only if he starts scoring for us like he does for River

Falcao is good but River want way to much money for him, he is injury prone and Colombian.... which makes him cheap no matter how good he is

if he was an argie he would easily go for 20 million that River might want... cough cough Bangera, Higuian, Gago.... all great players but 20+ million worth no way in hell

[HeartandSoul]

Saw an interview with Falcao on Tyc Sports where they ask him in what other country would he most like to play in and he answered with the English Premier League.

[locoxriver]

New River away jersey?:

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a256/locoxriver/river-alt-negra.jpg

I know they will be releasing the new kits within the coming months (anytime between now and May probably), but I am not sure if this will be one of the jerseys. If so, I'm loving it. The "Quilmes" and "Budweiser" editions of this jersey at the beginning of this decade were some of my all-time favorites, so I'd love to see it return this year. :)

[ronnie86]

its reported in portugal that Porto has made an offer for Falcao and it was Falcao who admitted it.