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ESRiver draws in Florencio Varela On Matchday 19 of the Liga Profesional de Fútbol, Marcelo Gallardo’s team created several chances but ended in a goalless draw against Defensa y Justicia.
The home team had the first close call, with a wayward shot from Aarón Molinas. Then, River responded with Pablo Solari breaking down the flank after a precise long pass from Claudio Echeverri. Franco Mastantuono entered the box but couldn’t get enough power on the forward’s cross.
In a similar play, Mastantuono was unable to direct the ball toward goal. Defensa y Justicia also created some threatening opportunities, but Jeremías Ledesma was outstanding, making a crucial save against a shot from Molinas, another from Alexis Soto on the left, and pulling off a spectacular low save to stop Nicolás Palavecino's attempt at goal.
Four minutes into the second half, after a fast break from River's half, Maximiliano Meza controlled the ball well and fired a left-footed shot that went just wide. In another clear chance, Solari broke free on the right, but his shot was stopped by Enrique Bologna at the near post. The home team countered with a lofty right-footed shot by Tobías Rubio.
Solari, set up by Meza, went past Bologna, but his attempt was cleared off the line by Santiago Ramos Mingo. Defensa y Justicia kept the pressure up, forcing another strong save from Ledesma, who reacted well to a left-footed shot. In a positive development for River, Pity Martínez returned to play after an injury and nearly scored from a beautiful free-kick that narrowly missed the target.
In the dying minutes, Meza nearly scored with a well-placed right-footed shot that went just past Bologna’s right post. With this draw, River reached 27 points in the league. Now, the team will focus entirely on the crucial match next Tuesday, hosting Atlético Mineiro in the second leg of the CONMEBOL Libertadores semifinal.
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