Final Numbers
Final Table Position: 14th
Total Points: 23
Win – Loss – Draw Record: 6 – 5 – 8
The 2007 Apertura came to a close this past Saturday with a dismal loss away, but given the roller coaster ride that has defined River Plate’s season, it seemed an almost fitting end.
It was a season of delayed starts, of murder and fears of retribution, of the joy at beating our biggest rival, of our shocking away form that cost us the title, of dreams of an international title cruelly taken away on penalties, and at last, utter disappointment, concluding with the resignation of one of our biggest heroes. It was also a season where unexpected teams like Lanús, Tigre, and Arsenal made headlines, and where traditional powerhouses like Independiente and Boca showed promise early on only to fade at the stretch. If you were a River fan, this certainly has to go down as one of the most bizarre seasons in recent memory. Here’s a look back at the madness:
* Before a ball was even kicked, River were already in trouble. Following a questionable decision to play in the Peace Cup staged in Korea, former coach Daniel Passarella successfully petitioned the football association to delay the start of River’s season. And if that didn’t set the team back, the news of the murder of Gonzalo Acro meant another match was delayed amid fears of crowd violence. The effects were clearly noticeable on the pitch, as River came bumbling out of the gate with draws to San Lorenzo and Gimnasia(J), and an embarrassing loss to newly promoted San Martín (SJ).
* The Big 4? As I noted in a previous post, River lost to all of the 4 teams promoted from the second division B Nacional, and being outscored 11-2 in the process. Even if you don’t include the 4-1 loss to Tigre, who had a phenomenal season and came within inches to stealing the title from eventual winners Lanús, those other games amount to 9 points lost, which would have been enough to move us into 3rd in the table alongside Banfield.
* In such a crazy season as this, at least there were some constants. As in, a shockingly appalling away form, good for only a 1-3-6 record when playing as the visiting side. But the worst stat? During those same 10 away matches, River tied a league worst record of 21 goals conceded, matching minnows Gimnasia (J). In fact, if you look at the entire 19 game season, River conceded 33 goals against, two more than they actually scored and tying only Rosario Central who finished at the bottom of the table.
* Of course the biggest story line this year has to be the resignation of Daniel Passarella. Since his arrival last year, River not only failed to win a single trophy but actually managed to get worse, and often times losing games in spectacular fashion. While El Kaiser certainly never received much support on this space, it should be noted that not all was his fault (an absent-minded board of directors didn’t help), and in the end, his legacy as one of River’s greatest players should not be tarnished. But make no mistake, Passarella long outstayed his welcome, and time will tell how the club will manage to rebuild itself from the ashes of his last managerial spell at the Monumental.
Awards
* Best Performance: It may obvious, but for me the game where I saw River display the most passion and technical acumen was in the Superclásico. Sure, Boca Juniors were a mess and absent most of the game, but how many times did we see River give away games at the last minute to weaker opposition? That afternoon, Falcao looked sharp, Ortega danced circles around the Boca defenders, and Diego Buonanotte looked like he was ready to annouce his arrival. A close second? The 5-0 win over Vélez. I should also mention the stunning comeback victory over Botafogo, but that was a River side desperately trying to catch up to its mistakes during the first half.
* Worst: Take your pick. For my money, the 4-1 drubbing away to Tigre was simply a case of men versus boys. A close second would be the 0-0 semi-final match away to eventual Sudamericana winners Arsenal, in what was simply one of the worst games of football I have ever seen.
* Most embarrassing: This is kind of a wild card, but drawing 3-3 at home? To Rosario Central? Only after getting help from a completely inept ref were River able to save face. A 4-1 loss next week to Argentinos essentially put the nail in the coffin.
* Best player: It’s always hard to try and single out one player in a losing season who rose above the rest, but I think clearly it has to be Ariel Ortega. Week in and week out he was the best player on the pitch and one of the few who played for the shirt. His touch and skill with the ball is still amazing to watch even after all these years, and if you take into account his struggle with alcoholism, it makes his performance this year all the more incredible. Runners up: Fernando Belluschi or Radamel Falcao.
* Worst player: If I never see Marco Rubén or Cristian Villagra again it might not be enough to erase their dismal performances this year, but guy who took the cake for me was Federico Lussenhoff, who simply has no business wearing a River shirt.
* Biggest disappointment: Split between Sixto Peralta and Roly Zárate. One goal between them says it all. Zárate apparently got the message, as he is now with Barcelona de Guayaquil.
