River qualified for the quarterfinals of the League Cupafter the goalless draw against Instituto, from Córdoba, but accumulated more disappointment because it remains indebted to the game despite having one of the best teams in Argentine soccer.
The Núñez club, which played home on the Independiente field, was coming off the losses against Hurricane (2-1) and Central (3-1), reached 24 points and finished second in zone A after the 14th. and last date.
The lack of depth was a characteristic of the last local champion, especially in the first half, where it created situations. As the minutes pass, River, that did not have the suspended Enzo Perezplayed desperate and somewhat tactically blurred, an issue that Instituto, more conservative, did not take advantage of.
The first half had River as the protagonist, with possession of the ball, and some arrivals. The rises of Milton Helmet They were the spear of attack of the team Martin Demichelis that found resistance in an Institute dedicated to defending with order and temperance.
A header from the Chilean Paulo Diaz It was the first occasion of danger for River. The second was clearer with the heads-up of Salomon Rondon in view of Manuel Roffo. The experienced Venezuelan forward defined poorly, with a shot that passed near the right post.
The third occasion occurred at the closing, with the auction of Helmet that Lucas Rodriguez He sent it to the corner in a providential cross.
Wear and tear took its toll on the performance of River in the final minutes, on an oppressively hot afternoon in Avellaneda, and led to some errors that generated the annoyance of the fans, especially with the erratic Rondon and the weak production of Manuel Lanzini.
Institute He was only encouraged by the mid-distance shot of Damian Puebla that Franco Armani contained in two times.
Demichelis made changes for the second half with the entries of Facundo Colidio and Santiago Simón by Lanzini and Helmet. The trend continued, but against a crouching Institute that had an unbeatable situation with Adrián Martínez, who missed it in front of goal.
River was close to the goal with the shot Ship that deviated in Puebla and hit the crossbar, but from there, Instituto moved up the field, already with Gabriel Graciani on the court, who demanded Armani with a saving hand in a low cross shot.
In the final stretch, River piled up names in attack with the income of Borja, Solari and Palavecino, but he never found the way. Passes to the sides became commonplace and their fans demanded plays facing the area.
Without ideas, River he ended up dejected beyond qualifying for the quarterfinals. Equality left a taste of little. The game does not appear, despite the names, and its people left Avellaneda with more questions than certainties for the next phase of the League Cup.
River vs Institute Statistics
Source: Ambito
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