River Plate had a bad time this Tuesday in La Paz and lost 3-1 with The Strongest, in the debut from both in Group D of the Copa Libertadores.
Two goals from Argentine Enrique Triveriothe first penalty, plus the contribution of Gonzalo Castillo, sealed the fate of the Martín Demichelis team, who discounted also criminal with Lucas Beltrán, but he had a black night in Bolivia.
Despite being 3,700 meters high, the game began with the Millionaire’s domain before his host. In fact, in just two minutes Demichelis’s team had the first very clear after a cross from Palavecino that Chilean Paulo Díaz headed with power and that Guillermo Viscarra managed to divert in great reaction.
Immediately the one who warned was Aliendro, surprising in full attack position. The Strongest couldn’t find the ball. But it was a mirage: Right away, a shot from Ursino set off alarm bells for the visitor, who no longer prevailed as at the beginning.
Soon after, Armani barely touched down Triverio, who fell within the area in a showy way. The referee valenzuela charged criminalcorroborated by the VAR when in doubt due to a possible offside at the start of the play, and Triverio put the Bolivian team ahead.
It was a hard blow for River, who was easy prey for nervousness and the tiredness due to lack of oxygen. And on top of that, midfielder Chura was encouraged to hit him often from outside the area, which greatly worried Núñez’s men.
Ten minutes later, Palavecino lost it in his own field, ortega took advantage of the fact that the last line from River Plate was in bad shape and yielded to the striker Triverio, who increased the score with great definition before the sterile flight of Armani.
The Millionaire was able to discount before the break, but Beltrán hit him bitten, the ball deflected off captain Jusino and almost hit it against him; then Palavecino found the local goalkeeper firm again; and finally an arrival from Solari hit the crossbar, although the striker was offside.
The complement could not start worse for River becauseafter a corner and a double header in the area, Uruguayan Castillo scored the third. With the enlarged Bolivians, the process seemed irreversible.
Nevertheless, The entry of “Nacho” Fernández gave the Millionaire a little fresh air and allowed Viscarra to shine before Palavecino and Solari, although the goalkeeper -who was shaping up to figure alongside the striker Triverio- could not do anything before the penalty converted by Beltránto which Roca had gone down shortly before inside the area.
The discount excited the Demichelis teamthat finally ended hopelessly drowned and with empty hands.