Boca Juniors Vs. River Plate, 2011 Super Clasico: 2-0 Halftime

River Plate have dominated the first half of their game against River Plate, but they somehow find themselves down 2-0 thanks to some bad luck and some bad goalkeeping. River were on the front foot for the entirety of the first half, but Boca finished the couple of rare opportunities that they were given on set piece, while River have not been able to capitalize on the fact that they’ve been in great attacking positions much more often than their opponents.

Setting the tone for the kind of luck River would get throughout the game, they were denied a clear penalty early on, when striker Rogelio Funes Mori was pushed in the back in the box by Juan Insaurralde, but no penalty was given.

The first goal was an odd own goal by River goalkeeper Juan Carrizo, deflected in off of him after a scramble in the box. It’s like that Carrizo had no idea where the ball was, and the goal was the product of equal parts hard work and good luck for Boca. Their second goal came in similar fashion, with Martin Palermo hitting a header over Carrizo and into the back of the net following a free kick.

Jonathan Maidana had to come off injured for River, and it’s had a serious impact on the game, as he would have likely helped with set piece defense. That’s the only way Boca have been able to create, as Juan Roman Riquelme’s influence has been minimal. Erik Lamela has had plenty of time on the ball for River, but it’s been a very up and down day at the office so far. If River are going to get a result out of this game, it’s time for him to decide that he has what it takes to take over a big game.