After the elimination of Rosario Central against Bragantino in the quarterfinals of the Copa Sudamericana, River Plate is the only Argentine exponent that is still alive on the international level and tonight seeks to expand its legacy. At Mineirao, he tries to turn the series around against Atlético Mineiro. The referee is the Chilean Roberto Tobar, while the Uruguayan Andrés Cunha is in charge of the VAR. Televisa ESPN.
With a 5-3-2 scheme (Libero Maidana and Liaison Álvarez), River bet on surprising and widening when it came to pressure. But at the same time he left spaces in the retreat against an opponent who was tedious at the start and disoriented with mobility, especially from the movements of Zaracho and Vargas. Thus, the homeowner came clear three times in the first 10 minutes.
At 4 ′, the Chilean headed face to face with Armani, who won the duel, well planted. Seconds later, Zaracho launched a cross into the heart of the area, the goalkeeper went wrong and the aforementioned Vargas headed wide almost unopposed. At 7, the Argentine midfielder again tested the goalkeeper’s resistance, who once again responded expertly.
The Millionaire could only take danger with an Angileri center that Suárez headed with difficulty, or with a loan from the former Belgrano to Romero, who failed to finish off squarely. until at 19 he was able to stitch an action with his stamp, with patience. Casco unloaded on Álvarez, who feigned a cross, but touched for Suárez, on the edge of the area. The striker took a powerful shot, which Éverson rejected by rebounding, somewhat surprised.
But just when the visit seemed to make a foothold in Belo Horizonte, at 22 ‘, the blow from O Galo arrived. Hulk opened to give Zaracho the central lifeline and hit him with a precise ball. And the Argentine defined with an excellent scissors, to leave the series 2-0 for the Brazilians.
Almost immediately, those led by Marcelo Gallardo had the opportunity to get back into the game. Álvarez was left alone against Éverson, but the goalkeeper once again demonstrated that he is one of the best in the Cup. El Muñeco did not want him to run the timer to take risks, he changed the scheme and made Paradela enter through Maidana, returning to the line of 4. Mineiro smelled blood. Right between the centrals appeared Hulk (of enormous first time) taking advantage of a filtered ball and stinging the ball over Armani to sign his cry at 34 ′.
At the end of the stage, with a header from Martínez, River was again close to discounting. Possession was also even, there was a technical draw, as in the shots on goal. Perhaps, the difference was seen above all in the hierarchy in the areas, a deficit that at the Copa Libertadores level is paid dearly.
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