River Plate Apertura 2008 results and game comments

[ElMuneco]

Well the Apertura started off this past weekend and River drew 1-1 against Colon in Santa Fe. Not a bad result considering we had to return and play there just as we did in the Clausura. The chances of going there again and coming away with a victory were highly unlikely, especially since only two of our reinforcements(Flores and Galmarini) played. Hopefully Salcedo and Quiroga will get some playing time this weekend against Rosario Central. Aguante River!!

[locoxriver]

I thought Leo Ponzio was fantastic.. He was the best player by far in the defense, and continues showing that he could be a leader in the team.

Cabral complimented him well, though I still am not too impressed by Tuzzio. I think his time has passed, and he should currently be considered after Ponzio, Quiroga, Cabral, and Nico Sanchez for the position.

As for the midfield, I think it was more than evident that we were missing an "Ortega". We had no player that connected the passed to Falcao and lacked creativity in the middle region.

Another thing I noticed was that Falcao was way too alone up front. He barely received the ball, and when he did, he had no one to play with. Hopefully this problem is fixed with Salcedo's addition to the team.

I was not impressed by River yesterday, but then again it was the first game of the season and we were missing Buonanotte, Salcedo, and Augusto Fernandez -all three being players who could add flare to our game. Either way, I think we can all agree that we need a big improvement in our next game, else we won't be fighting for the tournament with the likes of Boca, Estudiantes, and Independiente.

[ElMuneco]

I wasn't able to watch the game yesterday, but River pulled it out in the end. Tuzzio opened the scoring in the 82nd minute and Rios came off the bench to seal the deal in the 90th. River won 2-0 over Central. I'm not so sure about the formation Simeone is using. I'd feel more comfortable with four in the back rather than three. With Cabral injured and out for a month, maybe put Tuzzio and Quiroga together with Ferrari and Villagra on the right and left. We'll see though. Once Buonanotte returns and Fernandez is ready to play maybe Simeone will tinker with the formation a little more.

[aerez]

River is unorganized, they will need Buonanotte to ensure better progression on their skeleton team. Every seasons it's always the same thing, start from scratch.

[crzdcolombian]

River is unorganized, they will need Buonanotte to ensure better progression on their skeleton team. Every seasons it's always the same thing, start from scratch.

yup without diego this team is crap, also WTF happened to the defense....

wasnt River getting a new keeper????

[ElMuneco]

yup without diego this team is crap, also WTF happened to the defense....

wasnt River getting a new keeper????



The defense you ask?? I'll tell you. This team cannot play with three in the back.:mad:

[crzdcolombian]

The defense you ask?? I'll tell you. This team cannot play with three in the back.:mad:

the d wasnt that bad last season u guys think its the defense or the goalie?

[aerez]

Is it so hard to keep a good team together? :confused::(

[leoriver]

What River is missing is a PLAYMAKER. Rosales trys hard but he isn't made to play as an enganche and Falcao isn't that productive when dropping to get the ball. He's a center forward and needs to play more up front along with Salcedo which is another center 9 and wont be easy for 2 9's to play together but thats why they "practice".

We are definitely missing Buonanotte. Ortega aswell but we all know that case. I think when the Enano comes back things will get better.Just thought maybe River should've gone after another player "desquilibrante".

To be honest I think we have a better team now then we did last tournament with the exception of the goalkeeper.

[ElMuneco]

Since we're a bit behind here, let me update it a bit for anyone that wants to comment. Last week River played like shit and lost to Banfield 2-1 and yesterday they couldn't put one past the "cuervos" and tied 0-0.:o Right now we have 5 points and are 4 points behind the "bosteros" who have a game in hand. Thank god for this two week break. Hopefully Simeone can sort it about by the time our next game against Arsehole arrives.

[leoriver]

Can't say anything good about yesturdays game. Horrible. Don't understand why Agusto Fernandez is on the bench and not starting over Barrado.

[vipnerd]

What River is missing is a PLAYMAKER. Rosales trys hard but he isn't made to play as an enganche and Falcao isn't that productive when dropping to get the ball. He's a center forward and needs to play more up front along with Salcedo which is another center 9 and wont be easy for 2 9's to play together but thats why they "practice".

We are definitely missing Buonanotte. Ortega aswell but we all know that case. I think when the Enano comes back things will get better.Just thought maybe River should've gone after another player "desquilibrante".

To be honest I think we have a better team now then we did last tournament with the exception of the goalkeeper.


It is true that el enano was tired from the trip to beijing, but he didn't get much action there. In other words, his shpe isn't really an issue, even thou there are some announcers that use this as an excuse to his performance.

What is important to note is that DB had a great last semester. He was one of the 2 playmakers. Does River have another playmaker besides him? I think DB's game will hurt because Ortega is no longer with the team. He can't be the one carrying the team, creatively, on his own. At least that is what I see.

Will bringing back Abreu solve this? I don't think so. Simeone fuct up your squad. At least in the short term.


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[aerez]

. Simeone fuct up your squad. At least in the short term.
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This is a not new. For the last several seasons it's been a repetitive cycle River has had to put up with.

Is it true that El Nano got pissed off at Batista for not allowing him more play on the the national squad in a radio show?

El Nano is back from his first game, he did fine. It's the rest of the team that is concerning.

[ElMuneco]

It is true that el enano was tired from the trip to beijing, but he didn't get much action there. In other words, his shpe isn't really an issue, even thou there are some announcers that use this as an excuse to his performance.

What is important to note is that DB had a great last semester. He was one of the 2 playmakers. Does River have another playmaker besides him? I think DB's game will hurt because Ortega is no longer with the team. He can't be the one carrying the team, creatively, on his own. At least that is what I see.

Will bringing back Abreu solve this? I don't think so. Simeone fuct up your squad. At least in the short term.


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Explain how you think Simeone fuct up the squad VIP.:confused: Abreu had a great offer from Beitar and took it, Alexis Sanchez was on loan and Udinese wanted him back, and Ortega kept having relapses from his alcoholism. I don't understand your point.

[vipnerd]

Explain how you think Simeone fuct up the squad VIP.:confused: Abreu had a great offer from Beitar and took it, Alexis Sanchez was on loan and Udinese wanted him back, and Ortega kept having relapses from his alcoholism. I don't understand your point.


Abreu and Sanchez were not determinant in last semester's campaign. Ortega was.

If you are going to get rid of a player like Ortega, exclusively due to Simeone's "disciplinary handbook", then bring in a freaking playmaker. And a good one may I add, as Ortega won the tournament for you guys last semester with the decisive assists. El enano benefited from Ortega's vision and dragging of defenders every time he accelerated and stopped.

If Pasarella, with his strict temper, knew how to handle Ortega with the team mates, why can't Simeone? For one reason ... Ortega will always outshine him in front of the fans. And here is the key to why Simeone couldn't tolerate Oretega being Ortega ...

So yes, it is a matter of not realizing where did Simeone's success came from. Perhaps what Ortega said at its moment was the truth ... Simeone used him when he needed him and after that punished him for the same reasons once the title was won.

Barrado? 3-3-3-1? Where one of the midfielders is Ferrari? What is Cholo so obsessed with? Bielsa? Names don't count? Is all system? Where is River's "paladar"? It used to be as dark as Pele's belly-button. Read this short analysis (http://www.ole.clarin.com/notas/2008/09/02/futbollocal/01751381.html)

That's how a team gets fuct. Look how the team plays. Don't forget that the tie at Colon was closer to a 1-2 and the game against Central was seconds away from a tie. River hasn't shown anything yet, even when attacking with 5 and throwing long balls. And could easily have only 2 points at this point.


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[vipnerd]

Abreu and Sanchez were not determinant in last semester's campaign. Ortega was.

If you are going to get rid of a player like Ortega, exclusively due to Simeone's "disciplinary handbook", then bring in a freaking playmaker. And a good one may I add, as Ortega won the tournament for you guys last semester with the decisive assists. El enano benefited from Ortega's vision and dragging of defenders every time he accelerated and stopped.

If Pasarella, with his strict temper, knew how to handle Ortega with the team mates, why can't Simeone? For one reason ... Ortega will always outshine him in front of the fans. And here is the key to why Simeone couldn't tolerate Oretega being Ortega ...

So yes, it is a matter of not realizing where did Simeone's success came from. Perhaps what Ortega said at its moment was the truth ... Simeone used him when he needed him and after that punished him for the same reasons once the title was won.

Barrado? 3-3-3-1? Where one of the midfielders is Ferrari? What is Cholo so obsessed with? Bielsa? Names don't count? Is all system? Where is River's "paladar"? It used to be as dark as Pele's belly-button. Read this short analysis (http://www.ole.clarin.com/notas/2008/09/02/futbollocal/01751381.html)

That's how a team gets fuct. Look how the team plays. Don't forget that the tie at Colon was closer to a 1-2 and the game against Central was seconds away from a tie. River hasn't shown anything yet, even when attacking with 5 and throwing long balls. And could easily have only 2 points at this point.


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May I add:

Sin el Burrito Ortega, el Enano quedó con mayores responsabilidades para conducir, aunque él admitió cierta dificultad. "No soy el jugador que puede armar jugadas. Ariel era el que las armaba y a mí me tocaba definirlas. Pero no estoy para decir dónde debo jugar, el técnico decidirá. A él le fue bien poniéndome donde quería, así que no se puede decir nada. Tenemos que tirar todos para el mismo lado", comentó en 100% River, por La Red.


http://www.ole.clarin.com/notas/2008/09/03/futbollocal/01751824.html


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[El Mandrake]

i don't know about you but I'd like to see River lifting up copas. Sure wonderful we are baller factory.....can we be a trophy winning factory? Now do not tell me there is no money. There is. Now I am not advocating throwing peanuts again but i am recommending they throw batteries at Aguilar.

Back to the game.

[leoriver]

It is true that el enano was tired from the trip to beijing, but he didn't get much action there. In other words, his shpe isn't really an issue, even thou there are some announcers that use this as an excuse to his performance.

What is important to note is that DB had a great last semester. He was one of the 2 playmakers. Does River have another playmaker besides him? I think DB's game will hurt because Ortega is no longer with the team. He can't be the one carrying the team, creatively, on his own. At least that is what I see.

Will bringing back Abreu solve this? I don't think so. Simeone fuct up your squad. At least in the short term.

It was normal that el Enano would have difficulty adapting to Simeone's system when he got back from wining the gold in China.Not that he doesn't know it but the lack of training with his temamates and new ones would take some effect at some level.

We do feel the absence of el Burrito but being Simeone I can totally understand his point of view and despite that it hurts to see Ortega play else where and leave the way he did, it was best for the team and for him.

You can say Simeone fuct up our team but I believe he did the right thing and if its going to cost us awhile to find ways to win then I guess he has to work even harder but if he had not done what he did, it will be a joke and Simeone will loose tons of respect if he kept giving Ortega chance afrter chance after chance.

Buonanotte is our only "real" playmaker at the moment.And it's going to be really hard for him to assume all that responsibilities without having a player like Ortega there like before,his mentor.I hope Abeleiras can some what become that "socio" el Enano needs but he tends to disappear alot.

As for Abreu,hey if el Cholo thinks he can help us at whatever level it might be then he is more then welcomed to rejoin the team.Even if its to serve "MATE" ;)

[ElMuneco]

It was normal that el Enano would have difficulty adapting to Simeone's system when he got back from wining the gold in China.Not that he doesn't know it but the lack of training with his temamates and new ones would take some effect at some level.

We do feel the absence of el Burrito but being Simeone I can totally understand his point of view and despite that it hurts to see Ortega play else where and leave the way he did, it was best for the team and for him.

You can say Simeone fuct up our team but I believe he did the right thing and if its going to cost us awhile to find ways to win then I guess he has to work even harder but if he had not done what he did, it will be a joke and Simeone will loose tons of respect if he kept giving Ortega chance afrter chance after chance.

Buonanotte is our only "real" playmaker at the moment.And it's going to be really hard for him to assume all that responsibilities without having a player like Ortega there like before,his mentor.I hope Abeleiras can some what become that "socio" el Enano needs but he tends to disappear alot.

As for Abreu,hey if el Cholo thinks he can help us at whatever level it might be then he is more then welcomed to rejoin the team.Even if its to serve "MATE" ;)



Well said Leo. Rep on the way.;)

[vipnerd]

It was normal that el Enano would have difficulty adapting to Simeone's system when he got back from wining the gold in China.Not that he doesn't know it but the lack of training with his temamates and new ones would take some effect at some level.

We do feel the absence of el Burrito but being Simeone I can totally understand his point of view and despite that it hurts to see Ortega play else where and leave the way he did, it was best for the team and for him.

You can say Simeone fuct up our team but I believe he did the right thing and if its going to cost us awhile to find ways to win then I guess he has to work even harder but if he had not done what he did, it will be a joke and Simeone will loose tons of respect if he kept giving Ortega chance afrter chance after chance.

Buonanotte is our only "real" playmaker at the moment.And it's going to be really hard for him to assume all that responsibilities without having a player like Ortega there like before,his mentor.I hope Abeleiras can some what become that "socio" el Enano needs but he tends to disappear alot.

As for Abreu,hey if el Cholo thinks he can help us at whatever level it might be then he is more then welcomed to rejoin the team.Even if its to serve "MATE" ;)

I mostly agree with you. Where we don't, and where I say el Cholo fuct your team is in not signing a good playmaker to replace Ariel. By doing this, he minimized the real value of Ariel in last semester's title.

This is why I say that he believes in systems more than players. He thinks he will be able to replace Ortega with another midfielder ... change his system and it will work.

I say, Ortega won you the tournament. And Simeone has been stubborn to not admit it. So far, 5 points in 4 games could had been 2 points. And the team is playing horrible. But maybe he can now invent Ponzio as a playmaker? :D


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