River Plate has defeated Banfield 3-1 to move to a point behind leader Colon in the Argentine league.

Banfield surprised River with Cristian Leiva’s goal after five minutes, but international Luciano Figueroa equalised, and Federico Huguain and Marcelo Gallardo added second-half goals.

River has nine points, one behind leader Colon and one ahead of Velez Sarsfield and Independiente after four rounds.

Colon had taken over the league lead after beating Tiro Federal 1-0 a day earlier.

Former leader Independiente fell to fourth place after losing to Argentinos Juniors 2-1, and Estudiantes, another former leader, was held to 1-1 by Gimnasia y Esgrima.

In other games, Lanus defeated Rosario Central 2-0; Quilmes won 1-0 at home to Arsenal; Newell’s Old Boys defeated Gimnasia Jujuy 3-1 and Instituto held Boca Juniors to a 1-1 draw.

San Lorenzo beat Olimpo Bahia Blanca 2-0, and Velez Sarsfield beat Racing by the same score.

German Lux

Date of Birth: 07/06/1982 (23)-Santa Fe.

Height: 1.86m.

Weight: 77kg.

Position: Goalkeeper.

Since Franco Costanzo moved to Alaves last year German Lux has become River’s number one goalkeeper. He is a young goalkeeper with lots of experience, having represented Argentina as a starting goalkeeper in the 2004 Olympic Games, as well as in the more recent Confederations Cup. He is one of Jose Pekerman’s preferred goalkeepers, and is likely to be selected in the Argentine squad for next year’s World Cup. He is a high quality goalkeeper that should become Argentina’s starting goalkeeper in the next few years. In recent weeks he has been out of action after the death of a family member.

 

Rubens Sambueza

Date of Birth: 01/01/1984 (21)-Zapala.

Height: 1.74m.

Weight: 73kg.

Position: Left Midfield.

Sambueza is a classy left midfielder with great ball control, and his good performances last year have made him an important part of the squad, although he has not been guaranteed a regular first team place. One of his best qualities is his ability from dead ball situations. When he is on the park he is River’s first choice free-kick taker, and he scored a cracker against Junior of Colombia in a first round Copa Libertadores match last year.

 

Gustavo Oberman

Date of Birth: 25/03/1985 (21)-Florencio Varela.

Height: 1.76m.

Weight: 77kg.

Position: Striker.

After a great Clausura with Argentinos Juniors, he caught the eye of several of Argentina’s top clubs. He played a key role in Argentina’s successful World Youth Cup campaign last year, and was signed by glamour club River Plate. Oberman has not been able to secure a first team place at the Millionarios and almost signed for Uruguayan giants Penarol in the Summer, but in the end the deal broke through and he stayed at River.

 

Paulo Ferrari

Date of Birth: 01/04/1982 (23)-Rosario (Santa Fe).

Height: 1.67m.

Weight: 67kg.

Position: Right Back.

Ferrari is a quick side back that was signed by Argentine giants River Plate in the Summer. River’s poor show in last year’s Apertura meant that it was necessary to reinforce the squad, especially it was noticable that the position left by Carlos Diogo was not filled in the correct manner. Ferrari is an influential player that has over 150 First Division caps behind him, and often finds the back of the net, but generally from the penalty spot. He already seems to have won himself a place at River, after an impressive pre-season.

This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

To make a new post, after login, click “Write” link.

Presentation - you can change template of your Blog.

Manage - Edit, Delete existing posts, pages, categories.