River Plate and Newell’s Old Boys faced each other at the Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti in a match corresponding to the Professional Football League. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, a result that left mixed feelings among the fans and the coaching staff of Millo.
One of the highlights of the match was the debut of the new defense of River Platewhich has been described as “world class”. Gallardo decided to line up Germán Pezzella and Paulo Díaz as the central pair, accompanied by Fabricio Bustos and Huevo Acuña on the wings.
This defensive formation showed solidity and coordination, managing to keep a clean sheet despite Newell’s attempts to break the tie.. Meanwhile, Franco Armani did not ruffle a feather under the three posts in the 90 minutes of play.
The performance of the defense was impeccable, with Pezzella and Díaz standing out for their ability to anticipate plays and cut off the rival team’s attacks. Bustos and Acuña, for their part, contributed both in defense and attack, moving up the wings and generating offensive options.
This defensive solidity is a positive aspect for Riverwhich is looking to consolidate its position at the top of the table and advance in the Copa Libertadores. Despite the good defensive performance, River Plate’s main problem is up front.
Colombian striker Miguel Borja failed to convert any of his chances during the match. Bareiro has been criticised in recent weeks for his lack of effectiveness in front of goal and Borja has only just recovered from an injury.
Good domain
River Plate Newell’s dominated possession with 67% and created few scoring opportunities, but a lack of precision in the final metres prevented the team from taking all three points. Borja had at least three clear chances to score, but his shots were either stopped by the Newell’s goalkeeper or went wide.
The match was intense and hard-fought, with both teams looking for victory from the first minute. River Plate had a total of 11 shots, of which 3 were on target. Newell’s, on the other hand, had 6 shots, with 2 of them on target. Despite the difference in the number of shots, both teams had opportunities to open the scoring.
