Martín Demichelis, without laps to explain River’s defeat: “The height of La Paz punishes you”

The balance of the river excursion at La Paz is negative mainly for two reasons: the defeat with which the Libertadores Cup and the wear suffered by the players. Remember that the cast that commands Martin Demichelis will visit Huracán on Sunday at the Tomás Adolfo Ducó stadium.

Planning went badly for Micho, who had warned how vital the physical side of the duel would be. That’s why it was surprising that he chose to put most of the starters, even when he knew of the complexes that are played in La Paz. “It’s inhumane to play here”Demichelis said Bolivia beat Diego Maradona’s Argentina 6-1 in the afternoon. That historic afternoon in April 2009, the millionaire coach played the full 90 minutes.

Even River struggles to find a foothold in Hernando Siles: he won 2 of the 9 times he played, even if he counted one more match won by decision from Conmebol due to a regulation foul by the Bolivians. When was the last time River won in La Paz? On 1 March 1970, 2-0 against Universitario with goals from Juan Carlos Trebucq and Enzo Genonni; that is 53 years ago.

River got off to a good start, with a team short and precise in passing into the rival field. But Franco Armani’s mistake was the breaking point of the match: he went off late and collided -just-with Enrique Triverio. That highly questionable penalty changed the tide of the game. “Rigor will remain in my internal analysis. I’ve said it many times: I don’t enter into controversy. There is no going back and the doubt will remain”Demichelis explained at the press conference.

“This is a stadium that presents great difficulty and where the rival takes advantage of it by getting used to it. La Paz punishes you and mistakes cost dearly. We have seen many inaccuracies, the speed that takes the ball is different, the boys have made wrong checks or passes that they usually don’t do, to hit the ball that escapes them. We already know what it’s like to play here.”the coach pointed out.

And he added: “We were convinced we could play an equal game and I think we succeeded. The first two goals are avoidable. But my balance, as it is difficult to start this tournament like this, is that we played very well for 70 minutes”.

Finally, Demichelis said: “I think there were very different facets to the 90 minutes. We started very well. Before the penalty we had two very clear situations and we weren’t able to be strong. And we got 0-2 when they just caught up with us. It was an emotional break.”