Copa Libertadores

Simeone Takes Responsibility

River Plate coach Diego Simeone told reporters that he is solely responsible for the side's recent dip in form after watching his team crash out of the Copa Libertadores at the hands of San Lorenzo on Thursday.

May 9, 2008 9:40:20 AM

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River Plate - Diego Simeone

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Goals from Matias Abelairas and Sebastian Abreu had given River a 3-2 lead on aggregate against a San Lorenzo side reduced to nine-men, but a late double from Gonzalo Bergessio reversed the scores and sent River tumbling out of the competition.

The comeback had shades of River's own against Botafogo in last year's Copa Sudamericana, although not quite as dramatic, and came just four days after Simeone's side lost the Superclasico to their great rivals Boca Juniors.

The supporters were understandably upset at losing in such a fashion, with the players requiring police protection as they left the stadium due to the number of objects thrown in their direction.

With the unrest clear, Simeone stepped forward to take the flak for week of poor results.

"The responsibility for the current situation is completely mine," he told reporters after the match.

"I believed it to be correct for me to come out and speak to you today because I didn't do so after the Boca game. I repeat: I am the one fully responsible for the current situation facing the team."

Simeone promptly upped and left at that point before any of the journalists could question him further, and will now concentrate on returning his team to winning ways at home to Gimnasia La Plata on Sunday.

Nick Dorrington