Matters at the top of the table got very interesting on Sunday evening after River Plate jumped into second place after ending Rosario Central’s impressive unbeaten start to 2015. The top five are now separated by just four points gearing up for what looks like will be a fascinating battle but in the Monumental there was really only one story after Pablo Aimar stepped out onto the turf as a River Player for the first time since departing for Valencia fifteen years ago.
El Payaso had to make do with a place on the River bench and saw his side take what was perhaps a somewhat undeserved lead into the break. The home side had not really clicked in the opening 45 minutes and Central continously probed River’s fragile looking defence, but the one moment of genuine quality gifted the game its opener. Leonardo Pisculichi produced a superb first-time through ball and Teo Gutiérrez dinked the ball over Mauricio Caranta. At the other end, Central felt aggrieved that Ramiro Funes Mori went unpunished after halting Marco Ruben’s run into the penalty area with a forearm off the ball but it went unnoticed by the officials and River held their lead into half time.
The second half was equally competitive with both sides creating chances but the biggest reaction came 75 minutes when Aimar was introduced in place of Leonardo Pisculichi. The diminuitive playmakers every touch was greeted by cheers and although the 35-year-old looked a little short of match practise there were flashes of the lively creative force that he is remembered as.
Central pushed for an equaliser and might have found one but for the reflexes of Marcelo Barovero. However, with a minute remaining it was River who found the second goal of the game to ensure victory. Lucas Boyé powerfully headed Augusto Solari’s right wing cross against the post and fortuitously the ball ricocheted back off Camilo Mayada and into the back of the net.
Aimar’s return appeared to boost everyone in the stadium but importantly the three points means River jumped above Boca and Central into second. Had we been playing another short tournament like normal, with the top five so close, we would be set for a thrilling run-in, as it is there is an entire second half of the season still to play.
golazo argentino 