Cavenaghi For Four

Four goals from Fernando Cavenaghi gave River a much needed win against Gimnasia in Jujuy.  4-1 would be the final score for one of River’s most complete performances of the season, sending Almeyda’s team temporarily to the top of the table.

Coming off their first loss of the season, River arrived in Jujuy with the obligation to quickly put behind the disastrous game against Aldosivi. Matias Almeyda decided to change nearly half the starting 11 to try and get a better effort from his players. The decision paid off as River were clearly superior to their hosts in nearly every facet of the game. 

Notable returns to the starting 11 were the two youngsters Ezequiel Cirigliano, fresh off his participation with the U-20 national team, and Luciano Abecasis who was returning from an injury. Both made immediate impact, showing calm on the ball and intelligence to distribute. The effect was obvious as River looked composed and organized throughout the game, practically giving keeper Leandro Chichizola the afternoon off. 

Cavenaghi started things off when referee Pablo Lunati gifted River a penalty that didn’t exist.  Alejandro Dominguez, who also had a good game, was brought down by the keeper in the box, though replays showed the keeper got to the ball first. Cavenaghi stepped up and calmly sent the keeper the wrong way to open the score from the penalty spot.

Minutes into the second half, Cavenaghi would find a little space outside the box and swerve the ball over the keeper to the far corner. A majestic finish that all but sentenced the game with still almost 40 minutes left to play. The hat trick would come on what looked like a certain goal for Carlos Sanchez. Instead Sanchez found Cavenaghi nearly on the goal line where the striker back heeled the ball into the net. Another touch of class from El Torito.

With the game out of reach, Gimnasia would pull one back before Cavenaghi would finish his spectacular night off with a fourth goal. The break found Cavenaghi inexplicably alone in the area. A quick dummy sent the keeper to the ground setting up an easy finish over his outstretched hands.   4-1 and the game ball would be heading home with Fernando Cavenaghi who racked up his second hat trick of the season.

River played well in nearly every sector of the field. Ramiro Funes Mori, who made his debut in the center of defense, had an acceptable game and was vocal in organizing the back four. The youth brigade led by Cirigliano, Ocampos and Abecasis, set the table for the veterans, Cavenaghi and Dominguez. Hopefully this is the River we will see more of as the season continues. 

Next is the anticipated return to the Estadio Monumental, after the 5 game home ban, to host Tucuman.