Why Tireless River Plate Hold Copa Sudamericana Edge over Atletico Nacional

Taking season in the peculiar Argentine sense of one six-month period, River Plate's campaign in the second half of 2014 has been extraordinarily punishing. As well as pushing for the Transicion title right up to the last match, the Millonario have added another 10 games to their schedule with a run to the Copa Sudamericana final. 

New coach Marcelo Gallardo has done wonders to keep a tiny squad pushing forward, even with the liberal use of reserves and youngsters in some clashes. But the physical wear and tear has been evident all the same, as a team that lit up Argentina and South America in the opening months of the season with a high-pressing, attacking football has struggled to maintain their tempo. 

Even as rivals Racing Club overtook them domestically, however, River have never lost touch. And while a two-point deficit going into the Transicion decider may be a bridge too far, the Nunez giants are undoubtedly in pole position for continental honours after a battling Sudamericana draw with Atletico Nacional. 

The final's first leg was played in incredibly hostile conditions for Gallardo's men. Just one day after keeping their hopes alive in the league with a 3-2 thriller over Banfield, River were on the long plane to Medellin to take on Colombian giants Nacional. The Atanasio Girardot was packed to burst with green-and-white-decked fans, with just a few hundred diehards representing the visitors. 

Fernando Vergara/Associated Press

With a squad containing the talents of veteran striker Juan Pablo Angel, the brilliant playmaking prospect Edwin Cardona and former Velez youngster Jonathan Copete, Nacional were out to win. This they proved in a whirlwind of first-half activity. River had to dig deep, as they have done throughout the season, as the Colombians played them off the park in the opening 45 minutes. 

Finally Orlando Berrio used his immense pace to leave the Millonario standing, and his shot beat Marcelo Barovero in the 35th minute to put the hosts up 1-0. It appeared that the marathon of fixtures had finally caught up with River, who could not keep up with their fresher, apparently more motivated rivals. 

But River have not made it to the defining stages of two major competitions by luck. Once more Gallardo showed that if his team cannot prosper playing the high-octane game so effective this year, they can still pull through using the underestimated attributes of massive heart and determination. 

Fernando Vergara/Associated Press

The Argentines came out a different team after the break; as did, admittedly, Nacional, who suffered an inexplicable drop in form following that devastating start. They still had to ride their luck, seeing the Colombians smash against the bar with a shot that, had it entered, would have sent the tie slipping away from the away team. But River hit back with an equaliser worthy of a cup final. 

Leonardo Pisculichi, the ex-Argentinos Juniors man signed in a big gamble to replace promising playmaker Manuel Lanzini, let loose with a venomous shot that defeated Franco Armani in the Nacional net, converting the Millo's first real chance of the match. It was a special moment, bringing the club back on level terms and leaving the second leg wide open. 

Next Wednesday, River and Nacional will meet again in the second leg held at Buenos Aires' famous Monumental stadium. It will be a different story. Gallardo's men will have the advantage of a whole week's rest, after the Argentine FA acceded to their request to postpone the final round of league fixtures. Having played badly in a hostile environment with all odds against them and still taken a result, it is hard to see past River as the eventual Sudamericana victors. 

But perhaps the best sign for the Millonario came in the last 15 minutes of play. The brilliant young defensive midfielder Matias Kranevitter was sent on after three months out to replace goalscorer Pisculichi, completing his recovery following a metatarsal break. The 21-year-old was key to the best River performances this year; before his injury, River had won six consecutive matches. 

Now the Tucuman native is back in the team, that all-action, possession-based style becomes much easier to implement. Kranevitter was the heart of River's finest play this year, and it is difficult to describe just how much of a boost his return represents. 

It will not be easy, of course. Nacional are packed with talent, and if they can score early in the Monumental, River will be under immense pressure in front of their own fans. But the late goal from Pisculichi in Medellin was priceless. The draw in the Atanasio Girardot gave River one hand on the Copa Sudamericana, now it is up to them to put in one more heroic performance and prove they are truly one of the best teams currently on the continent.