Hello everyone, this will be my second post, after the one dedicated to Pelè which you can find in this link: https://www.bigsoccer.com/threads/all-the-matches-of-peles-santos-against-european-clubs.2132029/ This post will be dedicated exclusively to River Plate's 1947 season, considered by many experts to be one of the best teams ever and the best River ever. I will try to give as much information as possible about each game for which I have material and it would be useful to have users to help me with the translations. The work can be very long, so don't be surprised if I take breaks often.
Let's start from the 1947 "Copa del Atlantico". There is great anticipation for the great challenge between Penarol and River Plate: "AS is known, last Saturday, due to the Escobar-Gerona Cup between Boca Juniors and Peñarol, the great festival that was to be held at the Monumental stadium for the benefit of the Italian people was postponed. The event, as announced, will take place the day after tomorrow, starting at 9 p.m. and given the humanitarian purposes that have led to its realization and the extraordinary interest of the different artistic and sporting acts to be carried out, a huge number of people will attend the Monument. THE BACKGROUND MATCH The most important event of the Saturday meeting will be an international match between two teams made up of players from River Plate and Peñarol of Montevideo and Independiente and Nacional. The mere mention of these powerful teams is a sure reason for the success of the festival. The Argentine Athletics Federation will hold the following events during the intervals: 800 and 1,500 meters flat and a 4 x 100 meter relay in which the most outstanding specialists will participate, trying to beat the South American records." "R. Plate and Peñarol break the fire Next Saturday the sensational international night tournament will begin in Montevideo and has been rightly called the "Atlantic Championship," a competition that will cause great expectations given the quality of the teams that will compete. As we have already said, two teams from Argentina, two from Uruguay and two from Brazil will participate in this competition. River and Boca are representing us, Peñarol and Nacional are the Montevideo teams and Sao Paulo and Vasco da Gama are the Brazilian teams. RIVER BREAKS THE FIRE And it is River Plate's turn, as planned, to start the big tournament, facing a classic rival in the River Plate competitions: Peñarol. The mere announcement of this match will bring a world of people to the Centenario stadium, the scene of a hundred unforgettable matches. Because of the quality of the rivals and their friendly and traditional rivalry and because of the importance of the tournament that is starting, the match is of unusual interest, so that all of Montevideo will turn out for the stadium, not counting the influx of tourists who, at this time, form a legion on the Uruguayan beaches and the Argentine fans who will decide to cross the pond to watch the match. leaving this city tomorrow night, by boat, or on Saturday at noon, by plane. READY The River Plate boys are magnificently prepared to justify their reputation as 100% cracks before the Uruguayan public. And since the Peñarol team does not want to be surprised, they have also prepared themselves thoroughly, so it can be assumed that the opening match of the great competition will be really interesting and extremely close. IN COUPLES The tournament, as we have already said, will be played on points, with each team playing four games, that is, and taking River as an example, against the two Uruguayan teams and against the two Brazilian teams, but they will not play Boca, because they are also Argentine. In this way, Peñarol and Nacional and Vasco da Gama and San Pablo will not play each other either. The points obtained by the teams of each country will be added together." "River Delegation Will Leave Tomorrow for Montevideo by Air Tomorrow, Friday, the River Plate delegation will leave for Montevideo to participate in the Atlantic Championship, the formidable international tournament that is so highly anticipated. tative has awakened on the continent. The departure, which will take place by air, will take place in two rounds, with one plane leaving at 7 and the other at 14. The delegation is made up of all the starting players, With the sole exception, we are informed, of Adolfo Pedernera, who has not been included in the squad because an agreement has not yet been reached regarding the renewal of his contract, as there is still a certain disparity between supply and demand. His place will therefore be taken by Di Stéfano, the new great value of the River Plate avant-garde, whose performance caused astonishment in Sao Paulo, where he showed that he is in a position to integrate the famous quintet of River Plate aces, withstanding any kind of comparison. The starters will also be accompanied by several substitute players, since, as is known, there are four matches to be played."
Peñarol 2-0 River Plate [Ortiz 62, Schiaffino 67] QUESTIONABLE GOAL And so the minutes went by, until Peñarol's first goal came, the result of a dubious play, and in this way Peñarol opened the scoring precisely at the moment when it least deserved it. The forwards almost constantly kept the ball in the opponent's sector, but at no point did they decide to crystallize more than one favorable opportunity. With Moreno the brain of the attack delayed, the River Plate forward line lacked the necessary and indispensable efficiency in this contest. I mean that despite the obvious bad luck of its members - if they had shot more frequently at the goal, the River team would not have left the field defeated. The referee's performance can be described as ill-advised, harming our team on more than one occasion, including Peñarol's first goal. Then, in the 21st minute of the second half, in a brave tackle by Rossi, when he was four or five metres from the goal and with the goal at his disposal, he called Di Stéfano offside without realising that Lorenzo was inside his own goal. This was a serious error, as it took away a sure draw from us.
[Jan 30] River Plate 1-1 Vasco da Gama [Coll 11; Silva 52] Brazilians Will Also Overcome with the passage of time, since it seems that it will be repeated every year until there is a traditional competition between the three nations. We said, then, that defeat will nullify all the chances of ours and it would be impossible to at least reach the Uruguayans who have cut themselves off at the vanguard. RIVER HAS TO WIN For all this, we place our absolute trust in the River Plate team. It seems like a dream to us that they lose tonight against Vasco da Gama, despite the quality and brilliance of the Cariocas, not demonstrated by the circumstances mentioned, against Nacional. The River Plate team will present itself to the fight in excellent condition. How River Plate Will Form According to what we reported, defender Rodríguez will not occupy his usual place, nor will Angel Labruna, who is still recovering from his illness, be able to do so. Consequently, there will be two significant losses for the team, but they will nevertheless exhibit great power. In summary, the team will be formed as follows: Soriano; Vaghi and Kelly; Yacono, Rossi and Ramos; Muñoz, Moreno, Di Stéfano, Coll and Loustau.
GREAT GOAL Given this, it was not surprising that River took the lead around fifteen minutes into the game. Moreno brought a ball from behind and crossed it long between the rival defenders, towards Coll, who ran in and, when the goal-10 came out to meet him, sent the ball into the net with an accurate shot. After the goal, River continued to play better, but declined somewhat in its surrounding action and that is why a marked recovery was noted by Vasco da Gama, who was able to even the game and get close to the rival goal. ROUGH PLAY But in the second half, Vasco da Gama "showed its true colors", with its men playing with too much vehemence, both in defense and attack. The defense stopped the ball in any way possible. And the forwards, put on "Spanish fury", corrected and increased. The Brazilians had already caused an incident shortly before the end of the first half and then became involved in a fight in the second period, in the face of the passivity of referee Mr. Nobel Valentini, a prestigious figure who was far from acting in a manner worthy of his fame. The Brazilians saw that their misdeeds went unpunished and the River Plate squad was in danger of being decimated. The Argentines have a chance In one of those energetic tackles, eight minutes into this stage, Friazza scored the equalizing goal, figures that did not change in the rest of the match, which should have ended with a victory for River Plate, whose superiority in the first period was really noticeable, playing masterfully until the rivals resorted to the dishonest resources to which we have referred. A guideline of what the match was like and what it would have been like had the Cariocas not played so roughly, or had the referee acted more forcefully, is given by the fact that in the first 35 minutes, Vasco da Gama hardly made it past half the field. And the sixty thousand spectators who came to the Centenario stadium left convinced that if everything had gone as normal, River should have won by a wide margin. THE TEAMS The frames were formed as follows: RIVER PLATE: Soriano: Vaghi y Ferreira; Yácono, Rossi and Ramos; Muñoz, Moreno, Di Stéfano, Coll and Loustau. VASCO DA GAMA: Barboza: Da Costa and Rafanelli; Amparo, Alvin and Diaz; Bizerra, Friazza. Silva. Alvez and Aramburu. Halfway through the second half, Carrizo replaced Soriano, Báez replaced Coll and Di Stéfano replaced Muñoz, with Martínez playing as the front line.
Our Team Should Have Won By A Wide Advantage MONTEVIDEO. (From our special correspondent). Those who attended the traditional Centenario stadium early on Saturday had the good fortune to witness one of the best displays given in Montevideo in recent times. A display of high quality football, style and marked individual skill, The ball was passed from one position to another, without complications and with extraordinary speed, even though the players did not waste any energy. It was a first half in which River Plate took over the field with a magnificent display of play and quality. All of their men maneuvered They were so technically superior that they had an overwhelming advantage over their opponents. In fact, there was only one team on the field and it was ours. The local fans, who are such great fans of good football, were delighted with this subtle, elegant and scientific action by River Plate. LITTLE PRIZE The score of one to zero in favor of River Plate at the end of the first half was completely unfair. Very little reward for our team, which had taken control of the match and offered a superb performance. The advantage should have been much greater, because opportunities were missed. sions and because the intense dominance of the team with the red stripe made it expected. To single out one value would lead to falling into favoritism. Everyone worked equally, united in their efforts and forming a solid and harmonious block. There was not a single mistake throughout the initial forty-five minutes of the match with Vasco da Gama. INTERVENTIONS ILLICIT In the second half, River Plate's performance declined noticeably, due to reasons beyond the team's quality and the skill of its players. The offensive action became less effective and vigorous, due to the excessively abrupt interventions of the defenders of the Rio de Janeiro team, especially against the pointers Muñoz and Loustau. The very tiredness of the players, after such a great expenditure of energy, to which must be added the tricky action of Vasco da Gama, prevented the Uruguayan public from celebrating the repetition of the first half. UNFAIR RESULT Obviously the final result was fair only if we stick to the legality of the points obtained, but unfair in terms of the virtues displayed by the contenders. Everyone has recognized this. There were also many that were sung in the stands, but which could not be converted on the field. One that Loustau lost was one of those that are missed once in a hundred. Uruguayan sports critics all agree that, despite the draw, the applause went to River Plate. River's Bad Luck Montevideo. (From our special correspondent).- Since the beginning of the Atlantic championship, River Plate has not been able to field a single team and during the matches played, it has been forced to change players due to injuries to some of its great players. In the match against Vasco da Gama, for example, Muñoz and Coll had to be replaced in the second half due to the Brazilians' rough play. The changes in attack affected River's chances, especially when Di Stéfano was moved to the wing position, since as we know his real position is centre-forward, in which he is seen as an exceptional asset.< River Marveled in the First Half Despite what the circumstances demanded, they were not punished or repressed by Judge Valentini, who was too contemplative and soft, despite the booing that he received from the Uruguayan public, who valued the chivalry of the Argentines while censuring the violence of the Vasco da Gama men. To all this we must add the logical exhaustion and demoralization of the River Plate players, when after their brilliant performance in the first half, they saw their chances of victory disappear with an unexpected draw, achieved by the Brazilians in the first minutes of the second half. BALANCED ACTIONS Given the stamina of the Cariocas, the game became completely dull and the action was balanced. The referee, as we have said, did nothing to contain the violence of the Brazilians, which resulted in a marked decline in the level of the fight. SAVE GOOD FERREIRA~ Defender Ferreira, who is playing very well, in a dangerous mess in front of River's goal during the Vasco da Gama match, shines widely by heading safely and accurately. cisa. Vaghi and Ramos also collaborate. HE STRIVES DI STΕΓΑΝΟ- In a forward pass from Coll, Di Stefano cuts in pursuit of the ball, which goes wide despite his efforts. Both Coll and Di Stéfano have been excellent players in the River team that plays in the Atlantic Championship.
[Feb 6] Nacional (Uruguay): 5 River Plate: 4 The magazine praises the great match played between the two teams, calling it the best match of the tournament.
Amistoso River Plate 6 - 0 Palmeiras DI STEFANO SAN Pablo and Montevideo have given the corresponding boost to the success of two great figures who are beginning to shine with their own lights in the River Plate firmament: Di Stéfano and Coll. For us and for all the River Plate residents who have always closely followed the adventures of these two genuine products of the "seedbed" of the red band, it has not been a surprise, far from it, this international consecration of two elements whose points of contact we know very well. A GREAT PILOT A great pilot It is Di Stéfano. This phrase was said by all the newspapers in São Paulo after the presentation of River Plate. When making the individual analysis, the most qualified Brazilian commentators, among them our old acquaintance Pimenta Netto, after praising the qualities of each of the stars of the team with the red band, stopped before the new figure of Di Stéfano, to say that he had outstanding qualities, such as to be considered, in the very short term, as great a value as any of the stars that made up the valuable team from Núñez. Then, in Montevideo, on the occasion of the recent dispute of the Atlantic Championship, it was the Uruguayan sports writers who were full of praise in favor of the young forward. Everyone was amazed by the player's extreme ability to evade his rivals, his impeccable positioning to receive the pass, his decisiveness and opportunity in front of the goal, the remarkable vision of the goal that he shows off and, finally, his excellent distribution of play, which he performs with precision and serenity, of veteran. Putting the finishing touch to this series of highly valuable international performances, Di Stéfano then dazzled again in Buenos Aires, playing wonderfully against Palmeiras. In a first half in which, after acting masterfully in his role as a conductor, he was very positive by scoring no less than three goals. Everything that can be said is not enough. He was liked in Brazil and admired extraordinarily in Montevideo, especially in the matches against Palmeiras and Nacional. Many Uruguayan fans and quite a few journalists confessed that they had not seen a midfielder with relevant qualities for a long time, because the boy knows how to stack, is fast, passes with mathematical precision and shoots at goal from any position, even in the most difficult moments of the game.
Amistoso 08.03.1947 River Plate 6x1 Marplatense The magazine "River" talks about overwhelming superiority, highlights the young Hugo Reyes "shows extraordinary quality". Two goals also from the young Alfredo Di Stefano.
Amistoso 08.03.1947 River Plate 3x1 Marplatense The match is defined as less spectacular than the previous one, due to bad weather, River still dominates the match. Di Stefano, Baez and Coll scored. Highlighting the great performance of J. Ramos The photo below on the right shows Di Stefano scoring the first goal The magazine highlights that in the last three matches, River has an average of 5 goals.
Amistoso 23.03.1947 River Plate 3x1 Atlanta The magazine describes the usual River dominance but Atlanta, especially in the first half, plays a purely defensive game, showing great solidity. The first half ends surprisingly with the result 1 - 1. In the second half, Atlanta begins to attack a little more but River is too strong and manages to create many scoring opportunities, winning the match 3 - 1. The same Spectators say the game should have ended with a much bigger outcome, but Atlanta proves to be a tough team to beat heading into the championship.
Di Stefano, Coll and Reyes passed the test. They proved to be three players with extraordinary qualities.
On 17 April 1947 the first championship match was played, River Plate - Lanus faced each other. The match ends 5 - 1 with goals from: Loustau, Ramos, Col, Reyes and Rossi. It's a match dominated from the start by River, the first half ends 3 - 0. In the second half, Lanus shows a reaction by scoring the 3 - 1 goal (Reynoso) after just 5 minutes from the start. But River's strength is too superior and sets the record straight. A great goal from Ramos stands out
WEEK 2 RIVER PLATE 5x1 PLATENSE FOLLOW THE SERIES: PLATENSE TOO WAS DEFEATED BY A GOLEADA The large crowd that attended the Monumental stadium was nervously awaiting the start of the match. Those from River Plate were there to certify the qualities of the "Máquina" and with the logical reservations that the inclusion of a new man in the ranks entailed, without knowing the team's peculiar style of play. Those from Platense, because they encouraged the hidden hope that the team they support would improve even more on its performance of last year in our own home, when they almost tied a match that seemed decided from the start. As we say elsewhere, Platense impressed better in the first moments and had River Plate, if not in trouble, on its guard. After the quarter of an hour, the team began to do a devastating job, which would ultimately give them a sensational victory, which would add another triumph to their victorious series. THE GOAL ROUTE Twenty-six minutes had passed when the lucky Rodríguez opened the goal route. Loustau received the ball from Ramos and ran towards the goal and in an oblique position shot towards the fence. Cozzi blocked it and Rodríguez scored from close range. The Platense players, mistakenly in a goalkeeper's rejection, claimed offside. The fight continued, which despite being played in a close manner, favored River Plate. After half an hour, Reyes made a great individual play. He shot hard and Cozzi could not stop it. The ball crossed the line, when Sandoval took it out. We cannot say whether the ball went in or not, but the truth is that several River players, with Moreno at the head, were calling for the goal. The referee ignored the protests and once the fight resumed, River went back on the offensive. At 33 minutes, Moreno took the ball from behind and passed it to Reyes, who played his best match and sent a high cross. At the moment when Giúdice was going to block it, Rodriguez harassed him, a circumstance that Di Stéfano took advantage of to score a remarkable goal with his head. River dominated extensively. At 37 minutes in, Ramos passed to Loustau. He ran from insider and passed it to Di Stéfano, who was playing as a winger. Meanwhile, Rodriguez was looking for a position. Di Stéfano placed a cross and the former Atlanta insider scored the third goal with a cross shot. At this point in the match, Rodriguez had completely settled in, and without playing a great match, he demonstrated his opportunism. First half: a fair score of three to zero. In the second half, River showed full possession of its resources. At 2 minutes Rossi passed to Loustau. The winger ran and made a cross. Di Stéfano charged and again beat Cozzi with a header. One minute later, Vernaza took a free kick with extraordinary power. He hit Grisetti's chest, Gallina charged in and scored the goal with a low, powerful shot. Loustau received the ball from Di Stéfano in the 29th minute. He shot on goal, passing the ball between the backs and going into the net, to everyone's surprise. Five to one. Final score. Afterwards, River Plate made the "Máquina" "walk" at will. Many fans will say that River Plate had nothing to do with it, but they are making a big mistake. It was River Plate that crushed all resistance and not the "calamar" team that lost itself. And we are going to explain it as clearly as possible through the commentary. The enemy was not weak, nor bad, nor dull. It went out onto the field to play as an equal. To repeat some of its previous performances. To surpass them if possible. Who can deny that in the first quarter of an hour, Platense allowed itself the luxury of even slightly imprisoning the game? Can anyone argue that in the stands there was a feeling of uneasiness, seeing Platense move with such confidence and enthusiasm? How can we not believe that in those first minutes they were facing a team with real courage and aptitude for the fight? What happened later is quite different. The "calamar" team did not give up or fail just because. River Plate destroyed it. One by one, he was undermining all the pockets of resistance until he was almost irremediably defeated. The work done by River Plate was hard, intense and tenacious. But it was productive. After fifteen minutes, Manuela Pedraza and Crámer's team paid tribute to the scare they gave us at the start, when they went straight to Grisetti, who was distressed and pressured by the greed of the enemy attack. Another team, River Plate, would have become disoriented and lost its calm. But our team has plenty of quality. They let Platense do all the work. They gave them the "points." And they began to hammer later, where the circumstances required it. GIANT MIDDLE LINE Grisetti had already given proof of his courage and security. The backs were firm and the middle line stood like a giant on the field. It began to push forward. "Take it and take it," Norberto seemed to say. Rossi and Ramos. Incessant action, overwhelmed by the opponent. The forwards had no need to drop back to the defense, although Moreno, driven by a fervor and enthusiasm, went back to look for the ball. Thus fed, the men in the vanguard began to open gaps in the enemy lines. Francisco Rodríguez, who did not fit in at the start, began to lose his fear and nerves as the team began to secure the match. Moreno seemed like the diligent bee that was everywhere and Di Stéfano fine-tuned his aim, with the same passion as a musician who tunes his instrument. Thus the resistance of a team that did not fail by itself, but was overwhelmed, surpassed and drowned by the rival, was undermined. It was River Plate that played a lot and not Platense that had a mediocre performance. For this reason, the faithful River Plate fans lived an afternoon of glory, witnessing the unstoppable efficiency of the team they love. There was a wide and total support in the stands of the Monumental, captured by the magnificent display of our brave boys. What is evident, certain and great is that the "Máquina" showed off its champion's presence and transmitted to us the optimistic message of its youthful mobility, its renewal and the uncontrollable desire for triumph that inspires all its members. A GREAT STAR SHINES AGAIN: MORENO We are not used to excessive and exaggerated praise. But on Sunday Moreno was so great, so extraordinary in his game, that he deserves the warmest applause and the most sincere congratulations. He shone like a star of the first magnitude. Like in his time when he had no equal in his position. Like in 36, in 41 and 42, like in the afternoons when he gallantly showed off his image of a star, the national jersey. Well done José! Let's continue as until now, to give himself completely to River Plate and to claim again a place in the Argentine national teams. How the Teams Were Formed Umpired by Mr. Amoroso, the teams lined up as follows: RIVER PLATE: Grisetti; Vaghi and E. Rodriguez; Yacono, Rossi and Ramos; Reyes, Moreno, Di Stefano, F. Rodriguez and Loustau. PLATENSE: Cozzi; Piano and Iglesias; Sandoval, Giudice and Mamanna; Belen, Vazquez, Gallina, Francini and Vernaza.
WEEK 3 BOCA JUNIORS 2x0 RIVER PLATE "Sunday's Winner We have proposed, as the reader will find on page four of this issue, to dignify the referees' guild, so battered and shaken. To ensure that their pay is as fair as their own merits and in accordance with the difficult function they perform. To strive to form a team of first-class referees, not nominal ones but of real quality. First division and of equal quality. Our effort, however, will be in vain if we have to meet characters like Mr. Cángaro. Can this referee officiate responsible matches in the first division? Does he have sufficient knowledge of the laws of the game, energy, equanimity, sense of justice and the other attributes necessary for the success of such an important function as that of a referee? We doubt a lot, after what we saw on Sunday at the "Bombonera." Because for us, Cángaro was the real winner of the match. His contribution to the victory was as important as the goal scored by Boyé and the outstanding performance of Lazzatti and Pescia. We still cannot understand how he could see or sense Ramos' handball with our half back turned, when he scored the goal. We do not know why he did not call the penalty handballs of Pescia and Dezorzi, nor how he conceded the goal to Ricagni, when after the ball bounced off the crossbar, he found the Boca striker in an obvious offside position. Nor why he ruined so many River charges with imaginary penalties. Cángaro was Boca's best player on Sunday." Outraged Protest from Our Players Yácono Says: Boca Had an Ally It Didn't Need AFTER the match, on Monday, we received a visit from River Plate captain Norberto Yacono. We had sent him an invitation on Sunday night. Obviously he would have a lot to say about the classic match at the "bombonera". Smiling, although a certain bitterness was evident on his face, concealed by his perfect concept of sport and his unwavering chivalry, the notable River half began by telling us: I think we lost unfairly. If Boca Juniors ever beat us badly, it was last Sunday. Sometimes, without merit, victories and goals are achieved, when at least they are justified or when they are least deserved. This is what happened, in my opinion, in the last match against the classic rival. Boca Juniors also had a powerful ally, which they certainly did not need. I refer, and I say it with courage and without any obfuscation, to the referee Cángaro. His refereeing was completely wrong. He was the one who changed the course of the fight, with his constant errors that by chance almost invariably harmed our team. -I would not like my words to be misinterpreted by the Boca players, with whom I almost all maintain a cordial friendship. They are not at all to blame for Cángaro having turned in their favor. They honestly sought victory, as we did. And they did it loyally, without despicable resources, playing fairly, despite the importance of the match and the old rivalry that separates the currencies. Until the last moment they knew how to be worthy adversaries, to which we responded in the same way. CONFIDENCE -This adverse result-continued Norberto Yacono-does not affect River Plate's prestige in any way. A match in which we played remarkably has been lost. Everyone has recognized this, except those who have not wanted to see, blinded by partisan passion, the brilliant exhibition offered by River Plate. WHEN the match against Boca Juniors ended, in the River Plate locker room the protest and indignation were reflected in the gestures and words of all the River Plate players. Some were silent and others strongly condemned the unspeakable performance of referee Cángaro. RAMOS, TERMINANT One of the players who stood out the most in his bitter criticism of Cángaro was without a doubt Ramos. And in reality our great half was right, because he was one of the most harmed by the gross mistakes of Cángaro's dubious refereeing. Ramos affirmed definitively and swore on his honor that he had not committed a handball in the goal that the referee unjustly disallowed and that could have changed the course of the fight. -I did not touch the ball with my hand- he said with tears in his eyes. He was crying from helplessness, with tears of rebellion and indignation. Given his state of mind, we thought it appropriate not to approach him, so as not to increase his excitement even more. We simply invited him to visit us on Monday. This is what the vice-captain of the River Plate team did, meeting Yacono, the great captain of the superior team, at our house. Ramos only confirmed what he had said in the Boca Juniors locker room. “That’s right,” he told us. “I didn’t touch the ball with my hand.” From Coll’s midfield, I controlled the ball with my body and brought it down to shoot at goal. My surprise knew no bounds when I saw that Cángaro, who was far away from me and to whom I had my back turned and who couldn’t even notice it even though there were hands, was pointing at my hand. I approached him and said: “What hands! Look, here on my chest, under my arm, I still have the mark of the ball!” But Cángaro didn’t want to see anything. He wasn’t interested. It seemed that the important thing was not to score a goal against Boca. I was, as you can imagine, stunned, dejected. Minella and Amella were shouting at me and I didn’t know where I was. How unfair! Shortly afterwards I moved forward a little and as I couldn't get past Dezorzi because he was running, I passed it to Reyes. The ball was going away from the defender and then inside the area he threw himself on the ball and grabbed it almost with his hand. A penalty as big as a house. Cángaro was next to him, but the whistle was silent. Nobody heard it. How can you explain this duality of criteria? He disallowed a goal for me for an alleged handball that he couldn't see and he allowed Dezorzi to save a difficult situation with an obvious penalty? AFTER the touching ceremony of awarding prizes for loyalty to the players Lazzatti and Marante, to which the River Plate fans gave their warm support, the match began. Expectant silence in the stands. A titanic fight was expected, as it really happened. They were once again face to face, two handsome men. Two old antagonists, separated by a long-standing rivalry. Not denied by the passage of time or overshadowed by unpleasant events. Rivals yes, but with a sound concept of sport. PREMATURE LUCK It seemed that it was written. Once again River Plate had to succumb at the "bombonera" After two minutes, already defeated Vacca, a shot from Coll hit him full in the face! Unbelievable! The goal was already being cheered in the stands. The goalkeeper's hands were defeated, but his face was still an obstacle, and the ball bounced off of him. The River Plate fans were stunned, but they hoped that the comforting praise would come. However, a few moments passed. Only five minutes had passed, when luck had a name again: Boca. Reyes sent a cross and Marante and Vacca threw themselves at the ball. The goalkeeper grabbed the ball and gave it to Coll. Our insider shot through the only clear spot, straight, but not very hard because the ball was heavy. The ball was already reaching the line, when providentially Sosa came in full run and with a violent shot saved the danger. Incredible! Nobody managed to understand this play. These two favorable situations could have given River the victory. In this fateful quarter of an hour, victory slipped away from our team. But there was still plenty of time ahead. THEY POLISH THE CROSSBAR Around 20 minutes, a precise combination of River Plate's agile players was finished off by a cross from Reyes, which Moreno and Di Stéfano let through. Loustau picked it up on the run and shot violently from about fifteen metres. The ball polished the crossbar. It didn't want to go in. Immediately afterwards, Félix cut back to Di Stéfano. Pressed by the Boca defenders, he shot hastily and the ball hit the outside of the net. A similar play took place in front of the River Plate goal. Boyé finished and the ball also hit the net. After half an hour, Vacca shone, this time on his own. Loustau sent a cross in the air and when Coll was dangerously entering the field, the local goalkeeper emerged and with a skilful stretch he neutralised the shot. It was Vacca's best play in the first half. AN INJUSTICE In the second half, River Plate's dominance was obvious. The team played with grit and determination. They had Boca Juniors cornered, whose traditional heart was the stuff of legend. Their fans were silent in the stands. They pushed our team to the enemy's last lines. They had them confined to their own field. River Plate was expected to score, but Boca Juniors' goal came! A cross from Pin, the ball found Boyé's head and the whole stadium was surprised. Nobody expected it. CANGARO'S EXCESSIVE VIEW But if this is unfair, what came next was shameful. Cángaro disallowed a perfect goal from Ramos. Our great half came from the back of the defence, combining with Coll. This one was kicked and blocked by Vacca, Ramos, high up, controlled the ball with his chest and then finished off, nestling the ball in the net. The fair goal was cheered, but the joy was short-lived. Cángaro thirty metres away, thought he "saw" a handball that only existed in his imagination. Then Ramos again advanced with the ball and seeing that he could not get past Dezorzi, he crossed 2 Reyes, but Dezorzi took the ball with impunity with his hands. What did Cángaro do? Nothing, absolutely nothing. Finally, to top off the injustices and calamities, came the goal by Ricagni, in a clear and evident offside that also let the ineffable Cángaro pass, to whom the Boca fans should raise a monument in the tower of tributes.
WEEK 4 River 2x2 San Lorenzo The result of the match played on Sunday in Núñez was clearly unfair. San Lorenzo, who are not getting used to it, took a point from above. Just like last year, in the same Monumental stadium. The dominance of our team in the second half, after an even first half, would have justified a very different score. And to give a feeling of the match, we offer a detailed report, with the most important plays. Start of the match: 15.20. TWO MINUTES. Loustau runs; a cross close to the goal; Blazina comes out, misses and Moreno picks up the ball with a header that sends the ball skimming the right post when the goal was unguarded. 8 MINUTES. A free kick from Grecco made in the form of a cross is deflected towards the right side of the area: Grisetti saves with a brave dive when Imbellone was dangerously entering, who collides with the goalkeeper and injures him. Without consequences. 11 MINUTES. After a penetrating attack, Pontoni shoots from about twelve meters, harassed by Vaghi; the shot at medium height and towards the left post by Grisetti motivates a great intervention by the latter who throws himself into the air and safely pockets it. GREAT GOAL BY FELIX 17 MINUTES. - His advance on the right prevented, Moreno passes back to Rossi, who extends to Loustau positioned in a corner of the penalty area and with no rivals in sight; The striker advances a few meters and when it seems that he is going to place a cross, he throws violently and surprisingly, low; Bilazina throws himself and although he touches the ball, he does not prevent it from crossing the line next to the post and rising, reaching the net at half height. 26 MINUTES. A cut by Martino, harassed by Yacono, places him in front of the goal and about fifteen meters from it: he throws low and the ball grazes Grisetti's left post. 28 MINUTES. Another dangerous entry, this time by Farro and a low shot and into a corner, from about ten meters; notable save by Grisetti, who throws himself to the ground and deflects it to the corner. THE GOAL OF THE "CICLÓN" 30 MINUTES. Goal by San Lorenzo. Due to a foul by Rossi, Pontoni takes the free kick, straight and strong; The ball hits Moreno's thigh, which forms a barrier, rises and enters the left post, leaving Grisseti with no chance, who stepped forward to stop the initial shot. 39 MINUTES. - Goal disallowed. Martino receives a pass on his side and in an off-side position. As no one is bothering him, he advances in a line parallel to the goal line, a whistle sounds and the River players stop. When Grisseti decides to come out, he lifts the ball over the goalkeeper, and Imbellone enters on the run to confirm the goal by shooting over the line. The River players protest - Ramos stands out, who does not forget the injustices of the previous Sunday with Boca and Cángaro and after consulting the linesman, Ghinzo disallows the goal. ONE MINUTE LATER. -River responds and in a combination in which the entire forward line participated, the ball goes from Reyes to Loustau, who from no more than six meters, shoots with great power, finding Blazina in his position who retains the ball in his best save of the match, by pocketing it against the stomach; the goalkeeper later suffers the effects of the ball as the game is suspended to attend to him. Providential save. SECOND HALF. At minute: Di Stéfano, running to the right wing, directs a cross that Loustau returns at the other end with a new low cross, towards Coll; Blazina throws himself into the air and saves the situation. THE GOAL OF THE AFTERNOON 4 MINUTES. A cut from Coll allows Di Stéfano to enter the San Lorenzo penalty area; at speed he breaks away from Grecco; he enters the area: Colombo tackles him from behind in an illegal play, and despite stumbling, the axis takes the ball; when Blazina comes out to meet him and throws himself at his feet, he shoots low and to the right side of the goalkeeper, scoring the best goal of the afternoon. 8 MINUTES. English:After: another brave entry by Di Stéfano, who with skillful body movements disconcerts the defenders who mark him and approaches the rival goal by running to his left: he fakes a pass to Loustau and leaves Vanzini out of range who was coming out to meet him: he suddenly shoots at goal in a quarter turn and the low cross shot, out of Blazina's reach, grazes the left post. THE TIE 13 MINUTES. Goal by Martino. Draw for San Lorenzo. 16 MINUTES. Due to a foul against Di Stéfano when he entered the area, Loustau shoots hard and low to a corner. The ball goes close to Blazina's left post. Two headers by Moreno after Reyes' crosses force Blazina to respond confidently; in the second of them, he has to throw himself in the air to one side. 31 MINUTES. Loustau passes Di Stéfano who runs to the left; On the goal line he dodges an opponent's stretch and passes back to Coll; less than five metres from the goal he takes the shot, missing the best chance of the second half. From then until the end, facing a defence of ten players, all of them in the penalty area, the game becomes tangled and River's forwards, reduced to Di Stéfano, Moreno and Loustau, supported by Rossi and Ramos, who are also inside the opponent's area, can only test Blazina from afar. Di Stéfano suffers a slight injury when he shoots at goal with effort and as his performance decreases, only Moreno and Loustau are left to pose danger, trying to get in with individual play in the middle of a forest of legs that is impossible to cross. We are not going to deny that San Lorenzo played a magnificent first half. That they were a worthy and meritorious rival. That they played high-school football and that for fifteen minutes of the first half, they made us go through hell. That their forward line, especially their central trio, has nothing to envy of the best in professional sport and that in general they are a team of real worth. But just as we have established these truths, we allow ourselves to affirm that River Plate should have won the match on Sunday. That their dominance the second period was decisive and overwhelming, as the "Ciclón" was swept from the field and there was only one team playing: ours. WHAT NO ONE SAID Many sports critics have referred almost exclusively to Vanzini's injury in one aspect, without considering another perhaps more important one. Indeed. It has been said that the loss of the aforementioned defender disarmed the team, harming it noticeably to the point that it favored the dominance of the opposing team and affected its final chance. We think the opposite and we will explain ourselves in parts. We will say first that when the complementary stage began, the superiority of means and resources of River Plate quickly emerged. With eleven men each team, brilliant play continued and it was seen how the last lines of San Lorenzo were being violated, which was already prematurely beginning to show exhaustion and weakness. The Vanzini's unfortunate injury and then San Lorenzo, faced with the vision of defeat, completely disarmed itself and its men, playing "Indian" style, all went on the defensive, forming a barrier that was almost impregnable. They surrounded Blazina's fence in such a way that there were sometimes more than eight players from "Ciclón" in their defensive sector, which added to those from River Plate, created a the confusion was extraordinary. It was not possible to play a fair and lucid game. Then the action became tangled and unclear, which allowed the triumph of San Lorenzo's tactics. That is, to disorient River Plate, prevent them from making classic moves and make them fall into what the visitors were desperately looking for to avoid certain defeat. In this way, the desertion of the San Lorenzo defender, instead of harming the team that was last year's champion, benefited it enormously. With eleven whole men, the team would not have retreated. Therefore, although there was some opinion against it, Vanzini's injury saved San Lorenzo de Almagro from a fall that was expected to be resounding. In those few initial minutes of the second half, it seemed that fate had already been written. The regrettable thing was that the changes made due to the accident to the defender, completely changed the course of a match that was already River Plate's.
WEEK 5 CHACARITA 1 - 1 RIVER PLATE River Plate will be subjected to a gigantic effort this year. More than ever it has been proven that for our team there is no small enemy. Moreover, against the "Máquina" everyone wants to outdo each other in their desire to achieve a deserved victory. So that the reader has an idea of the match, as well as its close development, we give below a detailed account of its most important aspects. A Lost Opportunity A MINUTE. Barely had the action begun, after Di Stéfano had opened the scoring, Moreno deliberately threw the ball out, with the aim of starting the announced stoppage. But the referee Mr. Alvarez ordered the throw-in to be executed and the match to continue. River's first advance seemed to be going to die in the hands of Díaz, since the pass forward had been too long. But Di Stéfano appeared, jumping and touching the ball before the goalkeeper, leaving him out of action. The ball rises and falls on the goalmouth, Di Stéfano, who has continued his run, does not manage to catch it well at first to send it into the net, and when it deviates he tries to finish with a "chilean" shot, but fortunately Spinelli gets in the way, arriving in time to deflect it to the corner. 2 MINUTES. Chacarita's response is not long in coming, and upon receiving a pass from Campana, which surprises River's defense too far ahead, De Luca takes the ball, followed by Vaghi. He enters the area on the right side, and shoots from about seven meters low and crossed, forcing Griseiti to make a hard intervention. The goalkeeper throws himself to the ground and deflects it to the corner with his fingertips. After executing the corner kick from the left corner, Campana's shot sends the ball out near Grisetti's left post. 5 MINUTES. Chacarita Juniors, more vigorous and determined at this stage of the fight, dangerously enters the rival's field. Faced with a shot from above, striker Pessarini runs in and heads to the left. The ball passes in front of the goal, and Campana, who has dived dangerously, does not reach it, and it goes out of the field of play. River picks up River's defense has stood firm in the initial downpour and now pushes its forwards. A free kick taken by Loustau on his side seriously forces Díaz, in his first intervention. 17-MINUTES. Di Stéfano's cut to Coll allows the midfielder to advance towards the rival goal but he is stopped abruptly a few meters from the area. The referee punishes him. Loustau shoots high. 23-MINUTES. The local goalkeeper is used again. This time it is the "German" who shoots after skilfully dodging two rivals, cuts to Loustau, who closes dangerously. Díaz, in a risky action, comes out of the goal and throws himself at his feet, managing to save the danger. A Miraculous Save 30 MINUTES. - A new shot from Loustau hits the barrier and Ramos takes the rebound, who passes it back to Rossi. The cross is finished from outside the area in a strong way and 2 medium height. Beaten Díaz, the ball hits the left post and goes out. Miraculous save. 35 MINUTES. Reyes, whose intelligent action causes dangerous situations in each of his interventions, ends a fast and soft entry, with a cross that causes a rally, which ends with Coll zon a weak shot at Diaz's matins of no more than three meters. SECOND HALF Goal by River 7 MINUTES. River Plate begins to press intensely and no one is surprised that they manage to open the score. The goal comes from a personal play by Reyes. 11 MINUTES. -Contrary to expectations, River does not dominate after the goal. Instead, it is Chacarita who reacts and thanks to an intense and determined action, begins to bring danger to Grisetti's goal. 19 MINUTES. A free kick executed by Loustau motivates a good save by Díaz, who leaps agilely and deflects the powerful shot over the crossbar with a punch. Great Save by Grisetti 24 MINUTES. Another great save by Grisetti. A high cross from Dutruel is headed with precision by Campana towards the corner to the left of the goalkeeper. Grisetti throws himself to the ground and saves well. 31 MINUTES. - A cut by Moreno to Di Stéfano allows the brave forward to enter the area and shoot hard from about fifteen meters and obliquely at the goal. Throwing himself forward, Diaz stops it with great confidence. It is the last opportunity that River misses to increase its advantage. 35 MINUTES. Chacarita equalizes. Scriminaggi directs a high shot towards the goal that Grisetti fails to deflect with a punch and the ball hits the crossbar. When he returns to the field on the right, Pessarini shoots again at the goal. An intense rally ensues, which ends with Yacono trying to deflect the ball next to the post, putting the ball in an unfortunate action. From then until the end, the intense and strong action becomes tangled, although it turns out to be a success. From then until the end, the intense and tough action became tangled, although it was evident that the Chacaritanenses' players were more eager, and they were unable to break the effective action of the River Plate defense, so the tie remained until the end of the match. RIVER Piate was not the brilliant team we all know on Sunday. Not because its men failed or because the team had a poor performance. Nothing of the sort. The team did not defect, far from it. But the truth is that they did not let it "play." Chacarita dragged it into a disorderly, vigorous and vigorous action, which suited the locals, but was not very favorable to our team. But there was no other choice than to accept things as the opposing team presented them. You cannot show off technique and skill or precision in front of an enemy that gives no respite, that throws itself at your feet, that runs like a "malón", that breaks all the rules and canons of the game and tries to avoid defeat at all costs. This is how Chacarita played and in this environment River Plate had to find the necessary antidote to face the adversary. How then to combat the Chacaritenses' notorious eagerness? How to stop their fury and their drive? With pure technique, style and high cathedra? Impossible, especially taking into account the small dimensions of the San Martín field. Let's not say that River Plate completely abandoned the virtues that are characteristic of it, but it was not able to display them in all their magnitude. It had to settle for accepting the fight imposed by its occasional adversary. Each River Plate man had three opponents at his side, who ran wildly from one side to the other. They harassed each other, bothered each other, hindered each other in any way. Defeat had to be avoided. And River Plate faced with this situation gave up part of its style, to vigorously counteract the uncontrolled advances of the "funebreros." And the commentary on the fight in its general aspect has been responsible for clearly establishing the causes that influenced the performance of the millionaire team, dragged into a disorderly and ardent fight by the renewed eagerness of its opponent as the score was left at zero and increased in the face of the imminence of the defeat that prevented it from imposing its usual style of play. In these conditions the balance of the joint and individual performance leaves a favorable balance to the men of defense, who moved in an energetic and at times vehement environment, to which they are undoubtedly more accustomed than the men of the forward line. Owners of a strong and agile physique, the defenders followed the men of the powerful local attack on the ground in which they presented the fight. and they did not slack on their bodies when they met or their legs when they got into trouble, giving their all and thus leaving a clear impression of their individual and collective ability, even in those moments when the intensity that the locals gave to the actions made it truly exhausting. A GREAT FIGURE: ROSSI Considering the performance of each year we cannot but recognize that within a great defense, Rossi stood out above his teammates with an energetic, sure and tireless action when it was his turn to defend and in support, as is usual for him, precise, conscious and of high quality. His teammates in the middle line, Yacono and Ramos, did not fail at any moment, but their action, of little brilliance but of great effectiveness, was overshadowed by the exceptional performance of Ross. As for the rearguard, we must once again highlight with great satisfaction the excellent performance of the young Grissati, who, possessing great composure and quick sight, agile and sure, never let anyone think he was vulnerable and confirmed that he is the goalkeeper that the team needs. As for the defenders, there can only be praise for their performance. And if we had to decide on one of them, it would not be possible and if one was superior in one half, the other was better in the other. Rodríguez, technical, calm and energetic, was slightly superior in the first period when he made plays of a quality that we had not seen from him for some time. In the second half, Vaghi, showing the same virtues as always. and that exuberant vitality that seems to multiply his action minute by minute, firm and sure, surpassed with his opportune interceptions and skillful tackles, the action of the "Zurdo" who in this period somewhat neglected the forward entrusted to his marking. Let's now go to the forwards: if Reyes needed something to confirm that he is a notable acquisition, his performance on Sunday is enough. Despite the little play that was given to him in the first half. Moreno, the object of jealous marking by the local defenders, two of whom were always on top of him, could not show the spectacular and effective action of his great afternoons. Di Stéfano, skillful, determined and a passer-by, constantly kept the opposing defense in check and only bad luck prevented him from scoring a goal in the first minute of play that would have been memorable. Loustau received very little play, just like Reyes, and the times he came into possession of the ball he had Scriminaggi on top of him, who marked him zealously, despite which, mobile and energetic, he often went to look for the ball from behind and when he advanced with it he was always a warning touch for Díaz's goal. We have deliberately left Coll for the end of the commentary. The young player from the wing has been frequently praised on these very pages for his skill and intelligence, and it is not the case that we should deny him these skills today for a weak performance like the one on Sunday. But we must recognize that his poor physical condition does not lend itself to facing the vehement action of a tenacious and energetic defense, which does not understand subtleties or contemplations, as occurred on Sunday. This justifies his somewhat pale performance on the San Martín field.
I don't have the report of weekend 7, the match was River Plate 4 - 1 N.O. Boys. Di Stefano and Moreno scored two goals. WEEK 8 V. SARSFIELD 0 - 3 RIVER PLATE It is not only the reflection that inspires us the magnificent goal with which he opened the score in the match in Liniers, with a measured and accurate header into a corner, our magnificent midfielder. It is also because once again his privileged brain, fertilized by the wonderful footballing ability of the star, led with that remarkable visual control of the field and the situation, in a single glance to the whole forward line if not the whole team, in his already habitual and increasingly brilliant role as a qualified and calm director. SPEARHEADS Moreno's goal opened the way to success and what his game did and what he made others do was frequently open gaps in the "Fortín" defence, and through them the five "Goal Lords" slipped in with swift, fast and tremendously greedy entries, with "Alemán" Di Stéfano and "Gallego" Rodríguez as the advance guard, to the misfortune of the local defenders and Rugilo. Thus, for reasons that are well known, the hunger for goals and for Huss and Allegre - to the sadness of the latter, because the extraordinary mobility of both forwards prevented them from marking them properly, or at least reaching them with one of the sprints that Allegre gave them in high, although always unsuccessful numbers - each time one of them tried to enter the area, impressive dust clouds were seen when the two Vélez boys intervened without any delicacy, and when it cleared, we could not help but be amazed and rejoice later to see "Gallego" or "Alemán" alive and well. Because in general terms the brave defense put up by Vélez to the brilliant and effective action of the visitors throughout the match, was excessively violent. The reaction of Vélez, after Moreno's goal, was actually the result of a retreat of the River team, in its positions, which allowed the repeated and enthusiastic action of the local forwards, always controlled surely by an individual marking that proved once again the capacity of each one of the components of our defense. And if not, let Ferraro, object of preferential guard by Vaghi, say it. This retreat of our team has its justification in the fact that Moreno, who during the first twenty minutes moved making his teammates move in an impressive way all over the field, slackened a little in his intense and high-quality work. Those initial twenty minutes were a great show. After them, things returned to normal. And again until the end of the period, the River-Platense team walked with sufficiency and greed, not as much as at the beginning but giving the full sensation of its real power and its undeniable quality and harmony. SECOND HALF FOR RIVER Vélez never gave up. They made dangerous forays into River's goal during the second half. But our defense responded firmly, although we had to regret that in a confusing play against River's forward, in which Grisetti and Eduardo Rodriguez tried hard to contain a local charge, our defender was injured and had to be taken off the field for treatment. River, who had attacked during the second half with the same quality that they had shown in the first, although without much luck in the final shots. At 25 minutes we remember a shot that went just wide from Rodriguez and finding on some occasions the masterful opposition of Rugilo, gritted their teeth and went in to fight. And the second goal came, a memorable play by Di Stéfano, and River, with ten men, took over the field to seal their victory with a third goal resulting from an obvious penalty, well punished by the referee, which Félix tried to avoid missing. THE FIRST EXCITEMENT It was at minute 13, and when the goal was coming in each of the visitors' attacks. The "Aleman" (Di Stefano) set up Loustau, who made an impressive run, leaving Scrugli in his wake to finish by placing a high and measured cross. He rose above all the players who jumped, the priceless head of Moreno and his violent and precise header, with a dive to the lower corner of Rugilo, reached the net to give way to the cry of "Goool!"... THE GOAL OF THE AFTERNOON If the first goal had been magnificent, the second goal was extraordinary. It is the goal that all River fans wanted to see the hope that leads our attack score, ever since he showed us something of what he could offer us with his electrifying and extremely fast tackles against San Lorenzo. He received support from Ramos beyond the centre of the field, in the River zone, when the Vélez defence was too far forward. He took a run with the impressive speed that everyone knows him for, and pursued by Allegre, he covered the enormous distance that separated him from the opponent's goal, almost 50 metres, in full run, until he was in front of Rugilo and at an angle to his left. From there he shot calmly and calculatedly with his right foot towards the opposite corner, sending the ball into the net after hitting the inside of the goalkeeper's left post. The story of the goal alone, as well as recalling the most exciting play of the match for those who were lucky enough to witness it, gives a pale idea of what it really was, to those who could not get to the "Fortín" in Liniers, to see that it is not in vain that we have already called Di Stéfano the "Goal Artist". Vélez was overwhelmed by a clearly superior rival LET'S start by confessing that we were a little worried about Sunday's game. It wouldn't have been the first time, by the way, that Vélez made our afternoon miserable, especially playing in the feared "fortress" of Liniers. We hadn't forgotten that each and every one of the players who had spoken to us in the days before the match reflected singular optimism, and that they were convinced that they would return victorious, but, despite this, we felt a certain sting. Why deny it! Vélez had been on top against Boca, in the "Bombonera", and then had taken a point from San Lorenzo de Almagro. "Taking advantage from the start" However, we remembered what Rodriguez had told us, among others, who assured us that it was a matter of scoring one or two goals from the start to tame Vélez. And it could only become dangerous and worsen if the score remained at zero for a long time or if the home team managed to gain an advantage in the first moments of the match. Fifteen remarkable minutes That is why the first 15 minutes of the close match in Liniers brought our hearts back to life. We saw River play with singular strength in search of that "necessary" goal that the boys had told us about and we also saw them play with that characteristic virtuosity that has earned them so much and such well-deserved prestige. So the resentment that we talked about above and that had been bothering us all week, began to disappear, and we were also infected with that optimism reflected in the previous conversations by the players. In those fifteen minutes to which we refer, River played "like angels", amidst the enthusiasm of its fans and the admiration of the local stands, who were amazed at the extraordinary quality shown by the red-banded team, which was no less surprising for being well-known and repeated. Owners of the field After Moreno's goal, which sealed a brilliant quarter of an hour, Vélez practically disappeared from the field, thus fulfilling the prediction of the "Galician" Francisco Rodríguez, an old connoisseur, apparently, of "the oxen with which he plows." And without further ado, River became absolute master of the situation. It should be noted that Vélez did not give up at any time, but the inferiority of the home team was notorious, in relation to the notable power of Núñez's team. The grit comes to light When shortly after the quarter of an hour of the second half, Rodríguez was injured and left River with ten men, fears returned to the River Plate stands. River was undoubtedly a better team, but in the circumstances, the team could simultaneously fall apart and Vélez could grow, until the tables were turned. But fortunately, River Plate has a lot of grit, the grit of a champion. And to avoid further problems, they brought it out immediately. When Loustau moved to the middle line and Ramos to the rear, they continued to play as if there were eleven men and, at times, as if there were twenty. Wherever a Vélez man appeared with the ball, there were two River players, if necessary. The enthusiasm was the same, and the quality too, but the extraordinary grit of the superb team captained by Yácono had come to light. And Vélez was overwhelmed just as before, or more than before. As if instead of taking a man from River, they had increased it. And then came the second goal, a masterpiece of quality and bravery from Di Stefano. And later the third, scored by a penalty by Loustau, when Allegre had no other option, faced with the imminent fall of his goal. Until the very end, River Plate demonstrated its superiority, giving us a new joy, because we know very well that there is the makings of a champion in the team. And that those who are in the game will have to play hard and well, to avoid River Plate fans having the tremendous pleasure that we are already having. In short: River Plate has overcome a truly dangerous barrier, because for all the "big teams" the visit to the Liniers fortress means a serious concern, as it meant for us as stated at the beginning of this note. It has thus become evident, as can be seen, that River is a bull in its own herd and a great bull in another's herd, which must cause deep satisfaction to our fans.
WEEK 9 RIVER 3x0 BANFIELD Moreno showed the way with a remarkable header during 90 minutes of heated battles. The first 45 minutes, the reverse, showed River a little cold at the beginning, gradually gaining momentum, until dominating the pitch and walking like a true machine, full of harmony and subtlety but also of strength and greed, crowning its progress with a score that was little less than categorical. Second half, the other side of the coin, displaying a team that, defeated on the scoreboard, did not resign itself to falling without first showing a remarkable fighting spirit, pushed by the recovery of its midfield, launched a desperate offensive against the River positions, determined, so to speak, to "die killing"... The fact that River's men, strengthened on the scoreboard, did not move with the same diligence as in the first half contributed a lot to this Banfield recovery, partly because they did not have much concern in increasing it to catastrophic figures, for an entity as nice as the one from the South whose captain, Fernando Sánchez, an old comrade of our boys who greeted him effusively and affectionately before the match, did not deserve such treatment, and partly because they did not take risks in view of the serious commitment to be played next Sunday. But the extraordinary performance of our defense avoided with elegance and quality all the dangers that the repeated attack of the quintet led by Abella, wanted to provoke. Of course, this was not characteristic of the entire second half but of the first quarter of an hour. Afterwards, the advances were alternate, although River did not show the same harmonious action. Each half of the game, which River and Banfield were in a hurry for, was one side of the coin that made up the sum total of the actions of the first half, partly due to a lack of luck in the passes, and partly because Moreno's performance was not the same. However, they had the opportunity to increase the score with a little more luck in that shot by Reyes that hit the post or in mistakes by Rodriguez, a greedy and incoming player in front of Banfield's goal. After a few first minutes in which, as is usual for River, they let their opponent do their thing so that they could show their merits and their defects, finishing this previous study they laid out their lines. This laying out began from the back lines, in which Luis Ferreira had already made excellent tackles and interceptions and rejections with a conscious notion of supporting his teammate, bringing tranquility to his teammates in the back line regarding his performance replacing "Zurdo" Rodriguez. He continued in the middle line, where Yacono effectively controlled the visiting left wing, and Rossi, with the strong support of Ramos - playing as usual, leaning on the centre - began to dominate the centre of the field. And it was crowned in the action of the forwards, which Moreno entered to move, loading the play on the left, given that on the right the defence responded very well, the biggest obstacle of the southern defence, Fernando Sanchez, and that Bagnato closely controlled Reyes. MORENO'S HEAD And so, after a shot that was just off target by Rossi and another by Loustau, on a free kick, sent to the corner with great effort by Sánchez, Moreno's head was present on the scoreboard, at 12 minutes, crowning a remarkable combination of the midfielders and the forwards. After the goal, the elegant and effective action of the whole team was even more confirmed, giving us half an hour of play that was a real treat for the eyes, combining first-hand and changing positions with a remarkable reaction. In one of those exact combinations of the quintet, the second goal came at 22 minutes: it was a great action by Di Stéfano, who upon receiving the pass from Moreno, with his back to the goal, admirably slapped the ball, sending it high towards Rodríguez, who left him alone in front of the goal. When the goalkeeper came out, he calmly threw the ball in low to the net. THE BEST OF THE SECOND HALF As we have said above, Banfield came into the second half to make their defeat come true, and it was clear then that Rossi did not repeat his performance of the first 45 minutes, but that the local defence, pressured by the ardor of the Banfield centre-backs, responded with magnificent serenity and sufficiency. Vaghi continued to show the remarkable quality that throughout the match made him the best figure on the field. Grisetti had to work hard on some occasions, responding with a courage and confidence that day after day confirm him as one of the most notable values in his difficult position. River's third goal in one of the few deep attacks that the millionaire quintet carried out in the second half of the match, very good in its process and resolution, erased the impression of Moreno's poor performance in this stage. Another centimeter-wide cross from Reyes, at about 45 minutes, motivated the impeccable downward header from the winger who sent the ball into the net next to the right post of goalkeeper Sánchez. LUIS FERREIRA SAYS WE LOST OUR WAY FOR TEN MINUTES Luis Ferreira, on Sunday, took the place left by Rodriguez in a manner that deserves our praise and applause. In the reserve team he was reaffirming his great qualities, supported in seasons in which he was a valuable pillar of the top team. TEN FATAL MINUTES Ferreira visited our house on Monday, taking part in the already popular "peña". In the company of his young and friendly wife, he brought us his optimistic message and the healthy joy of his affable character and his great humor. When we asked him what happened to River Plate in the second half against Banfield, he answered without reservation: -We had those ten fatal minutes, which usually break the rhythm and action of a team. Ten minutes in which we "fell out of touch" and in which everything went wrong, despite our desire to do things well. Was the win well? - Completely. The victory was never in danger and, moreover, I think that in the first half River Plate had an excellent performance. What did you think of Banfield? - A good team, with boys who play real football, without abusing rough play and body play. You can act calmly against them. -There are things in football that cannot be explained but that fit into a certain logic and are a consequence of various factors. For example, River Plate has always played well in La Plata, against Estudiantes, just as other grounds have been fatal for them. -Do you expect it to happen again? -That is what all the members of the team want, that we go to the match with a great fighting spirit and high morale, ready to not give a single moment of respite to the fierce rival who will put up bitter resistance. ROSSI PLAYED SICK AND LOUSTAU INJURED Many of the fans who attended Sunday's match against Banfield were surprised by Loustau's somewhat unfamiliar performance throughout almost the entire match and by Rossi's inexplicable decline in the second half. It is therefore appropriate that we clarify the causes of these completely abnormal performances that do not agree with them. RED, WITH ANGINA FLU Néstor Rossi, for example, came out onto the field under the effect of an attack of angina flu, which became much more intense after the match, precisely due to the effort made. In those conditions, logically, a man who like Rossi stands out for his condition of tireless fighter, of permanent and renewed enthusiasm, could not be so generous. LOUSTAU'S LESSON As for Felix Loustau, we must report that although he did not suffer any setbacks during the week, shortly before the match on Sunday, while doing some push-ups in the locker room, under the gaze of Pablo Amándole, he felt a strong pain in the thigh of his right leg, which became more intense when he went out onto the field. That is why Loustau was also unable to play according to his great conditions. In order to make a final assessment of a match, it is necessary to remember that matches last 90 minutes. We say this as a warning, because we know that some River fans left the Monumental, not entirely satisfied with their team's performance, despite the conclusive final figures, some of them, and most of them surprised, by how little River looked in the second half. There has not been a lack, and there will be a lack, of a chronicler who would capture that final impression of our fans in his own way and proclaim that "in their attacking line the defects of men surfaced, whose game calls for other names that are already on the tip of their tongues. Note the obvious bad intention of the underhanded comment and whoever went, remember the first half given by River and do the math. We would like the chronicler to tell us the names of those who are missing, because we presume that he will not pretend that figures like Moreno and Loustau be removed from the team, who, without playing badly by any means, were those who shone the least in the second half, after having made, especially Moreno, an exceptional first half. Because neither Reyes, nor Di Stéfano, nor Rodríguez showed the "defects" that the improvised chronicler to whom we refer insinuates. EASY PROCEDURE River started playing calmly. Their men were not indolent, far from it, but it was clear that there was no need to go all out to beat Bánfield. And so, shortly after the match began, Moreno's head was already doing its thing, making J. Sánchez go looking for the ball in the back of the net. Afterwards, they continued to play calmly, because River was the owner of the field -because it was the home team and because of its different quality- and the second goal was reached, scored by Francisco Rodríguez. And if there were no more goals until half-time, it is understood that this happened - honor to merit because the Banfield team defended themselves like a cat among the wood, with J. Sánchez and W. Gómez standing out, and because River Plate, faced with the easy path that victory offered in perspective, played to the extent that they considered THE REASON FOR A REVIVAL In the second half, Banfield came out to play desperately. The ghost of Estudiantes' eight goals was spurring them on and, as they were only losing by two against River, they came out determined to see if they could get a discount, to get within striking distance of a draw. This made the fight in this stage a little more balanced. But River continued to play with the arrogance emanating from their indisputable superiority. There were no problems or complications. The one who worked hard and, consequently, made the expenditure, was Banfield, who in such a way, although they did not get close to the score, managed to keep the score at two to zero. Near the end, Moreno put his head in front of the goal again, as he knows how, and the third goal was declared, which put exact figures on the scoreboard, since it was ultimately the same that spoke of the enormous difference in values in conflict. AN INJUSTICE And let's get to our point. We do not agree with those who left the Monumental with gestures and phrases that betrayed disagreement. River played to the extent that was necessary. Nothing more than what was shown was needed to beat Banfield, let that be said without prejudice to the visitors. River Plate acted comfortably, from the beginning, because the opposing team allowed them that luxury. This does not mean that the team with the red band "goes back to its old ways" as the former crack turned commentator suggests, but that on Sunday it did what was strictly necessary to win. There was no reason to waste more energy than was expended and, therefore, we must be satisfied. Although the performance does not reach the level of those considered brilliant for our capable team. WITH THE GUITAR IS ANOTHER THING We will see on Sunday, against Estudiantes, in La Plata, how River moves in a different way. It may win widely, if the circumstances are favorable for it, but it will not be played "comfortably", because it is already known that it is another thing with the guitar. One thing is to play with Estudiantes, in the capital of the province, and another with Banfield, in the Monumental. The boys know the differences. And they will play in La Plata as they should play against such a great rival. They will do whatever is necessary. As they did on Sunday. Of course, on this occasion, "what is necessary" will require something more than what the red-banded team showed against the Banfields. In short, the moral of the story is: "you should not give the whistle more than the whistle is worth"... OUR TEAM HAS GREAT FAITH IN WINNING The "Monday Club" never goes empty-handed. It always has faithful cheerleaders. It has become a necessity among the River Plate players. Each one wants to tell their goals, their satisfactions, to comment with their teammates along with us on the most dangerous play, the most difficult moment. He could hardly run. However, Reyes, also a representative of Avellaneda, both representatives from across the Riachuelo, was thrilled by the failed advance or the tackle that put an end to a situation of anguish. Very early, don Salvador, an inseparable friend of our club, arrived, leading the way with his friendly silhouette. After a while, Ramos, Grisetti, Vaghi, Yácono, Moreno, Loustau, Reyes, Rossi or any of the other members of the team came. GREAT TRUST On Monday, Reyes, Ramos, Grisetti, Loustau, Ferreira and also don Salvador were there. And right there, from the start, the party was set up. Loustau was still touching his aching leg, as he said: -I was bad, there is nothing that Don Salvador can do- he comforted him. -Don't talk nonsense, Felix did what you could and that is enough. The point is that we won. Sunday's issue arrived and everyone was avoiding him. No one wanted to talk, until the best left wing in the world broke his lances. The match is very difficult, but we are going with a lot of faith, willing to spare no energy or enthusiasm. The morale is very high and this is an encouraging sign. Also, we have to take into account that we generally play well in La Plata, because Estudiantes is a team that plays high-quality football and that suits us because then we can fight with our best weapons. We like to be played good football, to respond in the same way. -Is it difficult to play in the La Plata field? -It is narrow and long, but it does not harm us greatly. Of course a field like ours is preferable, but I repeat, it is not a serious disadvantage to play on Estudiantes' field. -What is the high point of the "pinchas"? -I have not seen them play this year, but from what I understand, they are a very even team with a very solid defense and a dangerous attack. Loustau pauses and then Reyes jumps up and says: Are you finished, Felix? His teammates immediately hug him, while congratulating him effusively. "You are a phenomenon" they add and then it falls back into the jeers and jokes and you can't talk seriously. But we had already managed to get what we wanted out of him.
I don't have the report of weekend 10, the match was Estudiantes 1x2 River Plate. Rodriguez and Moreno scored. WEEK 11 RACING 0x2 RIVER PLATE There is no way around it. River won because at all times, whether the ball was in the air or on the ground, in the home or visiting field, over Ricardo's or Grisetti's goal, it was the best. And it was by its own standards, not by chance, because if our forward line maneuvered with ease, skill and precision when the team was on the attack, the defense defended with height, sufficiency and calm firmness, when Racing was present in the attack. Which it was on several occasions, since the "Academia" was a great rival at all times. This gives greater merit to the victory achieved in such a good way, since we had in front of us an adversary, who forced us to the bottom, with very good resources; good and of the others, the latter in Aguirre and Caserio...-, and against which, our team had more than enough quality, grit, harmony and poise, to shine brilliantly in some passages, and as the best throughout the entire fight, developed in an intense way. EMOTIONAL FIGHT We cannot say that the game itself disappointed the public's expectations, far from it. It had a magnificent first half in which both teams played very good football, and there were constant dangerous situations in both goals, although it was possible to notice River Plate's greater technical superiority, confirmed by the dominance that Rossi exercised in the centre of the field and the extraordinary mobility with which Di Stéfano showed his control of the ball and his speed in the entire local sector. The "German" was magnificently accompanied in this task by Reyes, who had an extraordinary first half, Rodríguez and Loustau, the latter with little luck in the final shots. We have not included Moreno in the list, because a man exclusively under his care was assigned to Racing, a man who fulfilled his mission conscientiously: Gutiérrez. However, we will not deceive ourselves; At no point did he manage to nullify the right-handed insider, since Moreno, noticing this situation, got rid of the ball more quickly, supporting Di Stéfano, who due to the circumstances was the real leader of the quintet, and Reyes, who duly took advantage of all the balls that the former gave him. A GOAL BY "CIPRIANO" The intelligent forward, who among the boys of our first team has nicknamed "Cipriano", crowned this admirable display of skill and energy, with which he entered the game continuously to the dismay of the local defense, with a real goal that must have been a stab to the heart of the fans of his former club. The "German" walked in front of the Racing area, looking for the clearing, and when he had sufficiently disoriented the local defenders with the mastery of a consummate crack, he gave the ball to Loustau. He measured the cross to Moreno's head, and our insider jumped to try and get it with Yebra. But Moreno intelligently let it go, so that Reyes, with an impressive volley, a furious left-footed shot embedded the ball in the side of the goal, leaving Ricardo standing. IT COULD HAVE BEEN MORE We were almost at the forty minute mark, and it was justice. A little while earlier Rodríguez, in a dive, had headed alone in front of the goal a low cross from Di Stéfano, barely deflecting the ball, and before that, Loustau had finished two magnificent combined charges, lifting the shot in a favorable situation, so that Reyes' goal, although it put justice on the scoreboard, was late and little reward for the actions of our five attacking virtuosos. Two minutes after the opening of the score, another excellent play by our blond pilot put Rodriguez in a good position to beat Ricardo again, but the shot from the "Gallego" went just over. THE PENALTY, REY, AGUIRRE AND GRISETTI The first play of the second half was the penalty that we commented on in a separate place. Judge Rey was the first figure of the action, until the moment when Aguirre was ready to execute the penalty. But in the end, Grisetti eclipsed them all by crowning his magnificent performance with the rejection of the penalty, keeping his goal unbeaten and putting a just end to the incident caused by Rey's excessive carelessness in punishing our colors. ENERGETIC REACTION After some initial moments of equal attacks with few dangerous situations in front of the goal, it was noted that our forwards took a break in the second half from their intense work of the first part of the fight, allowing the white-and-blue defense, relieved in its task, to push its agile players against Grisetti's goal. The undeniable quality of our "Marshal" was magnificent there, who with all cleanliness and calm sufficiency, cut off one by one all the charges that Bravo tried to carry through the center, while Ferreira, controlled with all security the dangerous right winger from Racing - dangerous for the opponent's physique, it is understood, because his exhibition of play was quite poor..., with Grisetti also shining, not very used but always bold and sure. Our goalkeeper was particularly brilliant when he faced a surprising corner kick from Aguirre, which he sent to the corner with his fingertips, and when he dove violently at the feet of Bravo, who was heading towards goal alone. The midfield, meanwhile, with Rossi at his best, and Yacono and Ferrari, the wingmen who carried out their mission effectively, continued to play with all their class and gradually balanced the game, until our forwards woke up from their rest and entered the Racing side again, with that loose, fast, attacking, pleasant and highly practical game from the first half. Towards the end, an electrifying tackle by Di Stéfano allowed him to get past Yebra, who fouled him. Despite this, he continued with the ball towards the goal posts. It was Di Pace who then caught him from behind, knocking him down. It was a clear penalty and Loustau converted it. The Value of Victory EVERYONE has agreed that Racing's was the best performance by the Avellaneda team in the current championship. It far surpassed all previous performances in terms of play and courage, to the point that its own fans and leaders have high hopes after Sunday's performance. However, despite this, not everyone has highlighted, as was due, the meaning and merit of River's victory. If Racing has played so excellently, if it has fulfilled its most outstanding role, the brilliance of our team's performance, which was a clear, forceful and indisputable winner, arises as a logical and direct consequence. To beat Racing the way it played on Sunday, it never gave up on its drive, its desire to win, its fervent desire to conquer, it had to be surpassed in the most outstanding virtues intrinsically linked to football and also in another preponderant factor in any sporting event: determination. River Plate had all the necessary attributes to break its fierce and strong opponent, which means - we insist - that its victory must be considered singularly valuable. That was also the case for La Plata, achieved very recently on the field of the forest. If something was missing to certify the values of the student team, there is its accomplished performance against Platense, which deserved the unanimous approval of all the spectators. Two triumphs, then, that prove the goodness of our representation, where the extraordinary individual preparation of the players - the work of Amándole is added to the wise technical direction - the work of Minella - the qualities of each one of the footballers and their unstoppable strength as a whole. Things in their Place Let's call things in their proper place in the obligation to touch, as they are and as no one has said them. So that Mr. King would feel the whistle, awarding the penalty handball against River Plate. Yacono touched the ball with his hand, but let's see how: the ball fell on the right side of the River Plate area, with Yacono and Sued going in pairs to try it. The shot was "hanging", and it went over both of them. When our captain turned to make the rejection, the ball after bouncing, hit his hand, in a play as visible as it was casual. And the Regulations, clear and definitive, say that a handball must be awarded when there is an intention to commit it. Sometimes it is very difficult to determine whether or not there was intention. But on Sunday it was clear to the 50,000 spectators that the ball went for the handball and that therefore the foul did not exist according to the letter of the Regulations. However, the referee seemed to see in that casual play the opportunity to give Racing a gift and awarded the penalty. The protest of our defenders was unanimous and in the case of Yacono, vehement, with the fervor of someone defending himself from a flagrant injustice. Moreno had to actively intervene to calm his teammates, and finally he managed to get them to obey the order and wait for the penalty to be taken. But there between River's goalposts was that magnificent figure, agile and brave, poised and serene, who has become irreplaceable in its defense and in the hearts of the fans, who since the beginning of the tournament have given consecrating performances, to the point that it has been a long time since our goal was so notably guarded. Grisetti waited for the shot with calm confidence, and when it left the feet of the "Torito" (?), violent, at mid-height and somewhat to his left, he went to meet it with exact notion and opportunism, managing to deflect the penalty, Ferrari completing the clearance, while an ovation rewarded the author of the feat, which was the just condemnation of Rey's bad shot, who must have remembered at that moment that "God does not want unjust things"... That on this occasion God spoke through the arm and chest of our great goalkeeper. It should be noted that, according to Yacono's own words, which we reproduce in a separate place, the River captain so unjustly punished by the referee, said to him, at the moment when Aguirre was preparing to take the shot: "If there is a God, Grisetti will save this penalty." And perhaps these words influenced Aguirre's mood, who understood Rey's injustice and shot nervously, convinced that the goal would not be scored. In the days of amateur football, what was called "local mischief" became famous. Football, played in this way, for pleasure, as an expansion, without taking into account the great interests currently at stake, nor, let us say it clearly, the fervent passion of the fans, offered picturesque aspects left to the humor of each player, to their very lack of responsibility and seriousness. It was played for pleasure and everything was allowed. A crack could spend half an hour with the ball, throw himself on the ground and grab the opponent's calf, place a small stone under the ball when a free kick was being executed, sit on the field while the other side was playing, go out smoking on the field or fall into any other attack on aesthetics, good sense and respect for the public itself. That famous local mischief, a vital part of the game itself, was disappearing little by little, leaving behind what is the authentic virtue of our football: subtlety, improvisation, juggling, throwing overboard all the unnecessary ballast and even unpleasantness for the good spectator. There remained, however, some cleverness, such as, for example, grabbing the shirt of someone who is a specialist in high-level play - Moreno knows how to do it! - or taking a "little advantage" in penalties. Goalkeeper Ricardo has a vivid and fresh example. The predecessors of the old era of kicking came to the memory of the former international goalkeeper. And he then tried to incur in a "cleverness." He tried, we say, because his effort and his intention were in vain. He wanted to get ahead when Loustau took the penalty kick, thus closing the angle of the player in front of him, narrowing his vision at the same time that his job became much easier. But for our exceptional forward, there is no such thing as cleverness or cleverness. With a terrible shot, he struck down the Argentine goalkeeper who, sad and remorseful, must have surely thought why his teammate and fellow countryman Aguirre hadn't shot him... Loustau aimed and fired, shooting Ricardo without any possible pardon, who, as can be seen in the photo at the bottom of the page, almost went to the centre of the field, in his eagerness to "narrow" the goal for our left forward. If we were to look for the least outstanding individual value of the team in the River Plate team that beat Racing on Sunday, the one who made the least contribution to the team's game, we would not be able to name anyone, since all of them shone as undisputed and unquestionable values in their respective positions. All the men in all the lines responded when required, with efficiency and high quality, the boys up front in the first half; the middle line throughout the entire fight; the back line in the second half. Therefore, those who were worthy of standing out above the general level, had to carry out such an extraordinary task, that it is a duty of justice, and also of gratitude for the magnificent spectacle that they gave us, to highlight the performance of that "poker of aces." Di Stéfano amazed. That says it all. It is not just us who say it. All the chronicles, the Racing fans themselves, the Boca fans who wanted to feel River's defeat, were amazed by the magnificent display of resources that our pilot showed in the midst of constant mobility throughout the fight. He also proved himself as a consummate director of attack, serving all his teammates with precision and accuracy. Néstor Rossi was something else. Sure and precise in the tackle; opportune and intuitive in the interception; technical and measured in the support. He constituted, in short, the exact figure, the prototype of the classic central axis, owner and lord of the center of the field. Don Ricardo Vaghi - let's say it like that, with all the respect that the high class that he showed throughout the match imposed on us - was once again the strong column of our defense when it was time to defend. He marked Racing's most dangerous forward - the center forward Bravo -, playing him on the same terrain of high technical hierarchy in which the adversary moved. Hugo Reyes is responsible for one of the most emotional moments experienced on Sunday at Boca's stadium: the first goal. Notable for its timely conception and spectacular and unstoppable shot, which condensed in the score the desire that Reyes himself felt to show his former fans that when he is given the opportunity, as has happened at River, he is worth it and is truly good. He was again sober, intelligent and measured in passing and dribbling, when he received the ball, to the point of not wasting a single ball, and when it was necessary he was seen running after Aguirre or Sued, taking the ball from them and starting the advance.
WEEK 12 RIVER PLATE 3x2 HURACAN (LOUSTAU, DI STEFANO, RODRIGUEZ) The magazine immediately begins by clarifying the dubious goal scored by Reyes against Racing: Following the magnificent goal scored by Reyes in the recent match against Racing, an attempt has been made to belittle and discuss River Plate's victory by alleging that the goal was invalidated by an alleged and "evident" offside by Moreno. Without any intention of creating controversy, first of all because the discussion would be sterile - the points are at home and the right to complain is human - it is appropriate that we recall some references about the offside law and enlighten those who have the duty of not deviating in their judgments and assessments, causing fans to fall into confusion and error. Due to its own journalistic and guiding function, it is regrettable that clear provisions of the spirit and letter of the rules of the game are deliberately and unconsciously ignored. AUTHORIZED OPINIONS Special clarifications have been made on numerous occasions about this generally discussed law. The offside position, let writers and fans know, is charged purely and exclusively when the player takes action or harasses the rival goalkeeper. Coincidentally, a short time ago, a statement was issued by the English Referees Association, which says verbatim: "The simple fact of being offside is not a cause for punishment for a player. In order for the punishment to be appropriate, it is necessary for the player to intervene in the game, harass an opponent or obstruct the goalkeeper's view." This, which is not our invention, has been certified and reaffirmed by the most authoritative referees and commentators of the rules, among us. Judge Antonelli, for example, who is one of the most profound experts on the rules, has set a standard in this regard. Bonin, former head of sports for the newspaper "La Prensa" and also a commentator on the rules, has published a book on the laws of the game, in agreement with the concept that we publish on offside. PERFECTLY LEGAL Can Reyes' goal from at least twenty metres be disallowed for offside? The photograph used to give force to the protest, which was barely hinted at on the field by Racing players, is the best and most tremendous argument against it. Moreno can be clearly seen, at least three metres from Ricardo, without obstructing his view at any time, because he was behind the goalkeeper, nor could he get into the game, given the distance he was at. Disallowing that goal for offside is like any player signalling a goal from the centre of the field and the referee not awarding it, because the left winger is offside next to the corner flag. TALKING ABOUT THE MATCH: From the moment Gallina started the ball rolling, moving Méndez until the moment Rossi caught the ball and led to River's first charge, Huracán's incursion into the millionaire's field in the first period lasted, we could say with a bit of exaggeration. But unfortunately we know that the attackers of the balloon advanced once more, since the scoreboard of the first period registered a goal in their favor, against the two of River. Little, scarce, unreal had happened before the different superiority of Rivfrequent situations from the overwhelming, frequently dangerous situations from the 10th minute. THE MIDDLE LINE Rossi, we said, was the first River player to come into contact with the ball in the match, and from that moment on he became fond of it, also insisting that. The team was to be seen as the great figure of the field, since, following the frequent rolling of the ball, wherever it was, there was our centre-half, in a stupendous display of vitality, technicality and cleanliness. In order for his figure to stand out with such clear characteristics, it was necessary for the flanks of the extraordinary quality of Yacono, always positioned and safe, and Ramos, vigorous and a pusher, to frame his action, thus establishing the superiority of our centre-line on the field. Acting between the centre of the field and the opposing penalty area, the three midfielders formed a wall off which the attempts of the Hurricane centre-backs bounced off again and again, generating charge after charge by our forwards. DOMINION AND GOOD FOOTBALL After a few minutes that Moreno needed to get in tune with the rest, our vanguard began to move, driven by the continuous centimetre-by-centimeter passes. always at the feet of the best positioned of our midfielder. And although it was soon clear that Di Stéfano's subtleties in the centre were not working in the face of several cuts by Moreno, in the face of the closed and not at all expeditious action of the visiting defenders, on the flanks Reyes and Loustau, the first sober and measured, the second devilish and fast, continually entered into the last opposing positions, to the risk of Barrionuevo. A shot by Loustau just over when receiving one of Rossi's magnificent openings to the points, another shot by the winger that Barrionuevo stopped on the ground turning on himself due to the force of the shot, a handball penalty by Gilli not called, several balls saved riskily by the goalkeeper from the lob by taking them from Di Stéfano's feet when he was going alone to the goal, a splendid shot by Rossi that shaved the crossbar, were marking the minutes with visions of imminent conquest. Around the twentieth minute, Di Stéfano, finding the path through the centre blocked, changed his tactics, frequently moving to the sides, thus managing to distance himself from the jealous guard that Videla or the defenders exercised over his movements towards goal, and thus favouring the entrances of Reyes or Loustau in the exchange of positions. To all this, let us talk about Rodríguez. Without brilliance but with great performance, he had to fulfil a task in which he established himself as a specialist: not allowing the effective clearance or the measured support of the opposing defenders, going to look for them in the area to dispute the ball when those, with their advance cut off, were preparing to easily reject it. He thus managed to regain several balls that seemed lost, favouring with excellent passes the incursions of his forward or resolutely going towards the goal as is his custom, which although it leads him to frequently position himself offside, always creates dangerous situations. And so, after a header that went just wide from Loustau's cross, a hunch of his, when he went to fight Gilli for a ball that seemed lost, led to the exact combination that gave Loustau the opportunity to open the scoring, which meagerly confirmed, after half an hour, the clear dominance of River Plate. SURPRISING TIE AND FAIR ADVANTAGE This notable goal seemed to be the first of the series, since all of River continued to move with the same stagnation and greed in the rival field, when in an unexpected and surprising action, Simes managed to tie the game at 39 minutes, taking advantage with great fortune of Vaghi's indecision in the face of a free kick that Videla executed from midfield before our defense, very advanced, could position itself on the defensive. But a few minutes later. River launched an overwhelming offensive and scored the second goal, after Di Stéfano successfully finished off a great play by Reyes, who once again brought justice, albeit little, to the scoreboard. MENDEZ'S SENDING OUT River continued to do better after the goal, until the end of the half without any changes in the scoreboard, although there were in the composition of the teams in the fight. At the hour mark, Ramírez made Loustau the victim of a violent foul, which was immediately charged by Forte. At that moment, Méndez, who minutes before had made the unpleasant note of angrily protesting to a linesman the awarding of a corner in favor of River, aggressively approached Mr. Forte along with other Huracán players. Apparently, the irascible midfielder insulted the referee, who ordered his immediate expulsion from the field. After the usual scuffles and protests, Méndez left the field, remaining to see in the little that was left of the half, another visible handball penalty by Gilli that Forte did not see or did not want to see. UNEVEN AND COLD SECOND HALF With Méndez's expulsion, it became clear to us that we had already seen in that first half everything that we had to see in the match. There is no way around it. When a team is at a numerical disadvantage, only the reaction of the numerically inferior team can give heat and shine to the fight, which by growing, ends up putting its adversary in danger. But if on Sunday, playing eleven against eleven, River's superiority was notorious, Huracán could do little without Méndez. Only defend itself. And that's what it did against a vanguard that diminished its greed in the face of its evident superiority, and with that something that usually inhibits a team that has in its favor a handicap as big as an extra man, it did not show all its resources and all its aggressiveness. Having taken the lead in the 17th minute, due to another great combined play by our forwards, after Rodríguez had lost a goal scored, River let itself go, noticing some tackles by Di Stéfano that Barrionuevo cancelled out with risk by throwing himself at his feet on three occasions, and an excellent cut by Reyes to the pilot, who skillfully slapped over Barrionuevo's exit, the shot going just over. Nothing seemed to alter the rhythm of the fight or the scoreboard, except for another local goal, when in one of the few attacks, but the only one that Huracán carried out in the second half, Vaghi conceded a corner. Salvini made it effective from the left. Gallina discounted. Extraordinary Plays Preceded the Goals AMONG the good things we saw in Sunday's match, all or almost all in the first half, there is no doubt that the best memory that we keep in our retinas is that of the three goals that confirmed our team's victory. They have earned the honor of highlighting them from the rest of the chronicle and detailing the steps that preceded the achievement of those three true goals. FIRST GOAL: LOUSTAU At about 33 minutes Moreno received support from Rossi and combined with Hugo Reyes. The intelligent forward skillfully maneuvered and approaching the touch line, executed a high cross that he intercepted as he entered in full run, and who from about ten meters finished with power, low and into a corner making the ball reach the net next to Barrionuevo's right post. SECOND GOAL: DI STEFANO 42 minutes had passed and Huracán had just tied the game. Put into play near the corner by Moreno, Reyes made a great tackle, closing his line and skilfully dodging Cerione, he approached the goal feinting the pass back and disconcerting the rival defenders with this subtle and intelligent maneuver. When they decided to mark him, near Barrionevo's left post, he passed backwards and in a low manner, with all accuracy and precision to Di Stéfano who connected the pass a few meters from the goal, shooting past Barrionuevo with a shot at medium height. THIRD GOAL: RODRIGUEZ It was at 17 minutes of the second half and Reyes was again the protagonist of the play, who served the Felota on a plate to the scorer, so that he could not miss. The forward advanced combining with his winger Moreno, who finally feinted a pass to Di Stéfano near the area, to cut Reyes off with mathematical precision between the two defenders. who entered quickly, received the ball in front of Barrionuevo, although at a slightly closed angle. There he once again demonstrated his calm intelligence and vision of the game by passing the ball in a low and measured pass to 'Gallego' Rodriguez, who alone in front of goal had no problems in scoring the third goal with a low and strong shot. THREE MASTERPIECES As can be seen, these are three masterpieces, which had the virtue of enthusing the stands, who thunderously applauded the achievements, for what they meant, as such, and as a reward for the wonderful work displayed by those who intervened in the respective plays, all of them done to the centimeter, with a ruler. The reference goals, as well as many other plays carried out throughout the match, demonstrated, once again, the remarkable understanding existing between the players of the River Plate team. Each pass found the man well positioned, and ready to finish or to continue the combination with another pass, also of singular precision. We have already said that River did not rush, especially in the second half. The game was won and the boys did not want to waste energy, especially knowing that they have the tough match next Sunday ahead of them, against the leader of the tournament: Independiente. But that was no obstacle to seeing, also, typical River Plate se-Ho plays, that is to say, those in which elegance and efficiency, showiness and practicality are united. All in one. And the stands, grateful, applauded furiously, satisfied by the work carried out by the eleven boys who so worthily defend their colors. REYES AND ROSSI Both familiar with the usual praise that the consistency and effectiveness of their performances so far in the tournament have earned them, we once again highlight in print the work that fell to those who, within a flawless team, although somewhat apathetic, showed their individual and strong contribution to the team's game, as probably there was no denying their performance throughout the match. Rossi behind Reyes in front, were the pillars of their respective lines, and it is worth mentioning that their teammates knew how to frame, and to a large extent facilitate their action, at all times. But in the end they were the heroes of the match: Rossi because he covered the center of the field, and was great in supporting and firm in tackling and clearing. As a great play of his we highlight an impeccable bycicle kick that he performed in the second half after a tackle by Gallina, which earned him a well-deserved ovation. Reyes was involved in all three goals, and was directly involved in the last two, serving the ball on a silver platter to Di Stefano and Rodriguez so that they had no choice but to aim and shoot at Barrionuevo. Apart from these plays, in each of his interventions he showed remarkable quality and intelligence, put at the service of a truly exceptional sobriety and opportunism, to the point of making us remember the prototype of the classic winger, the one who crosses or passes to the millimetre.