Sunday, June 26, 2011

How The Mighty Can Fall: Argentinean Powerhouse River Plate Are Relegated

The most successful club of Argentinean football, Club Atlético River Plate, commonly known as River Plate have been relegated to the second division of Argentinean football Nacional B for the first time in their 110 year history.

This comes as little shock to those who have been following Los Millonario, as their poor form has been evident for quite some time. These poor results culminated in a relegation/promotion playoff between Belgrano de Córdoba, to which over a two legged affair saw Belgrano take a two-nil lead into the second leg. River Plate were unable to mount a comeback at their home stadium at El Monumental and succumbed to a 1 - 1 in the second as Belgrano secured promotion to the top flight.


As it came to pass, perhaps one of the most prestigious and well-known clubs of Argentinean (and South American) football saw themselves relegated to the second division, a league that they had not ever tread into in their vast and glorious history.

The emotion displayed from the players is evident as they must now confront their fans



After the 1-1 draw at El Monumental, fans of Los Millionario began rioting throughout the streets and were greeted by a heavy police enforcement.



Should one be feeling empathetic? Or perhaps apathetic?

There is only one way to find out, to see how Los Millionarios react from their relegation and how they must now dominate Nacional B to regain their status amongst the footballing heavyweights of South American football.

By Marcel Abboud