River tied at Avellaneda on the first leg In the first match of the quarterfinals of the CONMEBOL Libertadores, “El Millonario” drew 0-0 against Independiente. The rematch will be on October 2nd, at the Monumental.

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“El Millonario” began better positioned on the field, quickly drowning Independiente and becoming owners of the game. That's how the situations began quickly generating: first, Gonzalo Montiel made a good play on the right side, and after a rebound, took a strong shoot, but Martín Campaña made a great catch. Then it was Lucas Pratto’s turn, also at the right side, and the local goalkeeper once again reacted accurately.

One of the closest opportunities was for Gonzalo Martinez, who enabled Milton Casco on the left, but the shot from the side was intercepted by a local defender. Independiente responded with a shot to the crossbar made by Maximiliano Meza, but River, once more had a very clear goal opportunity: Rafael Borré made a good personal maneuver on the left side, and shot to the first post, with a good response from Campaña.

The biggest opportunity for “El Millonario” came after a defensive error: Borre enabled Pity Martinez, who faced Campaña and shot left-footed, but lacked precision to become the first goal of the game. Independiente had the last chance, after a header by Fabricio Bustos and a brilliant intervention by Franco Armani.

In the second half, River could not maintain dominance and Independiente was the one who had the best offensive situations, although Gallardo's team was not left behind completely. First came Pratto with a deflected shot, then Gaston Silva ripped a hard shot that hit the post, and finally, Armani made a spectacular save against Gigliotti, when the rival was in the mouth of the goal.

River had good situations, like an approach by Rodrigo Mora on the right, a powerful left-footed shot by Camilo Mayada at the near post that Campaña contained, and in the stoppage time, a clear header by Borré after a Mora cross that went close to the first post of Independiente. Now, the rematch will be on October 2nd, at the Monumental Stadium.

Meanwhile, this Sunday, River will visit Boca Juniors for the next edition of the “Super clásico”, for the sixth date of the Superliga.

SYNTHESIS

INDEPENDIENTE: Martín Campaña (C); Fabricio Bustos, Alan Franco, Nicolás Figal, Juan Sánchez Miño; Nicolás Domingo, Francisco Silva; Silvio Romero, Pablo Hernández, Maximiliano Meza; Emmanuel Gligliotti. DT: Ariel Holan.

Substitutes: Milton Álvarez, Gastón Silva, Guillermo Burdisso, Fernando Gaibor, Ezequiel Cerutti, Martín Benítez and Gonzalo Verón.

Changes: G. Silva for F. Silva, Cerutti for Romero, Benítez for Domingo.

RIVER PLATE: Franco Armani; Gonzalo Montiel, Jonatan Maidana, Javier Pinola, Milton Casco; Juan Quintero, Leonardo Ponzio (C), Exequiel Palacios, Gonzalo Martínez; Lucas Pratto and Rafael Borré. DT: Marcelo Gallardo.

Substitutes: Germán Lux, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Santiago Sosa, Camilo Mayada, Nicolás De La Cruz, Rodrigo Mora and Ignacio Scocco.

Changes: Mayada for Quintero, Mora for Pratto, Scocco for Martínez.

Admonished: F. Silva, Benítez (I); Maidana, Borré, Martínez, Casco (RP).

Referee: Wilton Sampaio (Brazil).

Attendees: Bruno Boschilia and Rodrigo Correa (Brazil).

Fourth referee: Ricardo Marques (Brazil).

VAR: Raphael Claus (Brazil).

AVAR 1: Anderson Daronco (Brazil).

AVAR 2: Emerson De Carvalho (Brazil).

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