BUENOS AIRES (AP) — River Plate continues its devastating march. Martín Demichelis’ side beat Newell’s Old Boys 1-0 in agony at Rosario on Sunday and prevailed at the top, while Independiente and Racing Club equalized 1-1 in an Avellaneda classic marred by controversy, in two games for Argentina’s 12th date. soccer league.
With a ‘mix’ of starters and substitutes (arranged by Sporting Cristal for the Copa Libertadores on Wednesday), River sang victory in the final game, with a furious counter that featured excellent assists from Matías Suárez and Esequiel Barco and the precise definition of Pablo Solari on an empty goal (error in the hasty exit of goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos).
Against Gabriel Heinze’s Newell’s, who had not yet lost or conceded a goal to “Marcelo Bielsa”, the alternative formation of “Millionaire” played a very fluid and discreet game, in which the constant pressure of the host s is felt.
In the first half, there were almost no goal moves, but a serious mistake by referee Hernán Mastrángelo, who did not send off local striker Brian Aguirre for a strong iron on Leandro González Pírez .
In the complement, the “Leprosy” was closer to the zero break, but collided with the crossbar and against goalkeeper Franco Armani.
“It is the river of the people. We knew it would be a very brave game against a great team. We didn’t come for the tie. You have to stay humble,” Demichelis said.
With his seventh consecutive victory (and with an undefeated close) in the contest, River reached 30 points, momentarily seven more than his escort, San Lorenzo, who will travel to Talleres in Córdoba on the night.
Faced with their eternal rival Boca Juniors, who lost 1-0 against Estudiantes on Saturday at “La Bombonera”, Demichelis’ team have already made a difference of 16 points in 12 dates.
At the “Libertadores de América Ricardo Enrique Bochini” stadium, for various reasons, the meeting ended up doing good for both contenders.
It was a good start for coach Ricardo Zielinksi at Independiente, who left behind him a very difficult week, including the resignation of the president of the institution.
The “Russian” took office on Friday and 48 hours later led a team that showed order and substance against Racing. In fact, he was a little closer to victory.
The “Reds” took the lead in the 19th minute thanks to a superb goal from Martín Cauteruccio from outside the box (to much credit from Colombian Mauricio Cuero in the previous game).
The Uruguayan stopped a cross from the right with his chest, let the ball bounce and whipped the ball past the post and into Chilean Gabriel Arias.
The “Academy” equalized at 39 with a penalty executed exquisitely by the Paraguayan Matías Rojas, perhaps the best player in the League today.
The play that resulted in the penalty will be discussed for several days. Youngster Javier Vallejo pushed Facundo Mura as he was about to enter the area and the question remained whether he released him inside or outside. Yael Falcón Pérez called a penalty and VAR ratified their decision.
“He washed his hands. I think that with more humility we can go and see and see again, but when there is an intention for the game to have a certain result…”, accused Iván Marcone, captain of the “Reds”.
In the second half, Racing seemed to be content with equality at home. A third consecutive defeat in the tournament, and even more in the classic, would have been the start of a football crisis for Fernando Gago’s team.
Still, ‘Academy’ captain Leonardo Sigali assured: “It’s a draw that doesn’t work for any of us, except for us because our demands are different.”
Racing is provisionally in ninth place, 12 behind the leader.
Independiente, meanwhile, have not won since the first meeting and continue just two points off the bottom of the table.
In the other matches, Vélez Sarsfield-Barracas Central and Unión-Tigre were tied without goals.