Argie Bargy

Madness and magic from Maradona’s motherland

Daniel Neilson

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Problems continue to pile up for River Plate

Thursday 16 April 2009 15:00

It appeared for a while that River Plate would bounce back from the horrors of last season's pathetic performance.

After finishing bottom of the Apertura last time out, they started the new campaign well and are in a perfectly respectable fourth position with 15 points – Velez, Colon and Lanus above them are all on 18.

But numbers can be deceiving. River’s crisis continues.

Argentinian fans are known for their vocal opinion-making, but River’s fans were unusually muted during last season's shocking display. However, now they are making their feelings known.

After coming from behind to draw at home with Gimnasia de La Plata, the players were jeered.

River skulk off after disappointing draw

On the back of another draw against Nacional de Uruguay that could see them crash out of the Libertadores (San Lorenzo are already out, leaving Boca as the country's main hope), the fans began to fear that River may not be a team at all.

With a single in-form striker in Radamel Falcao and poor defensive play plaguing every game, Néstor Gorosito's team are, for the fifth season running, struggling to find form and cohesion - and even when they won the 2008 Clausura it was far from convincing.

However, the real test is next Sunday in the Superclasico… at Boca’s indomitable fortress.

To fail on this stage could be the final straw for the River faithful, who may call not only for the head of coach Nestor Gorosito, but the far from illustrious chairman José Aguilar.

90 percent of River’s members are believed to be against the guy, voted for in 2005 by 51 percent of the members (and the barra brava). Now could be his time to fall.

We’ll see after the ticker tape clears next Monday morning.

Gorosito: Great hair, great suit, not so great results