“I want the Libertadores”people shout under the light drizzle that falls in the Monumental stadium. “Look, look, how crazy/look, look, what emotion/is the Muñeco Gallardo who returned to River to be champion”can be heard from all sectors while the local soccer players celebrate their qualification to the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores of America.
There is a new energy in River, which fundamentally dreams of the maximum continental tournament since it arrived Marcelo Gallardothat coach who seems to have been born for this type of competition. A conclusive fact: with this Wednesday’s head-to-head against Talleres de Córdoba, DT overcame 17 series in Libertadores and only lost 6 timesthe most painful perhaps was that defeat in the final in Lima against Flemish. And with this joy, Muñeco became the coach with the most qualifying series won with the same club, surpassing by one Carlos Bianchiwho won 16 heads-up leading Boca.
More Gallardo statistics in River: due to international tournaments he was left with 30 of the 39 confrontations which he starred in.
The last image of Gallardo in Libertadores with River had not been good nor did it fit his successful cycle in the Núñez cast: elimination against Vélez, with some controversy due to a goal disallowed for Matías Suárez due to handball through the VAR. Likewise, on that occasion the Liniers team justified the victory on the field. That’s why Muñeco felt a kind of revenge in this Wednesday’s game.
Gallardo was champion twice in Libertadores: 2015 and 2018. In 2019 he fell in the final. In 2017 and 2020 he was eliminated in the semifinals, against Lanús and Palmeiras, respectively. Vélez (2022) and Independiente del Valle (2016) took it out in the round of 16. Meanwhile, in 2021 Atlético Mineiro surpassed him in the quarterfinals.
Colo Colo will now appear, a tough rival, but one that many River fans would have chosen in the preview as an opponent for the quarterfinals. The first leg will be in Chile and everything will be defined in Núñez.
The positive thing for Gallardo and his coaching staff is that they will have a couple of weeks to continue adjusting the pieces of the new River. In addition, Marcos Acuña, the last of the reinforcements for now, will now be available.
Is there a new River since the arrival of Gallardo? Only against Talleres did we see a team that was a little more competitive to play with. El Muñeco understood that the advantage gained in Córdoba had to be defended and that is why he did not go out to play with desperation in the revenge. He was patient and even withdrew at times. That’s why Talleres handled the ball more throughout the duel.
“I’m going to lower the foam a little”
At a press conference, Gallardo tried to be clear after busy days in the ‘millionaire’ transfer market, with rumors afloat. “There is no search for a specific reinforcement. I am going to tone down a little the foam of everything that was said. Now we are going to redefine the squad”advertisement.
The ‘Muñeco’ valued the victory and the classification, which “is very good for the well-being of us and the club.” “There is a very good energy. We had to generate a positive climate. It was a very even series. We were able to confirm with a better passage of play on our court. We had our opportunities and we knew how to take advantage of them. Talleres was up to the task. This was the most urgent thing “he explained.
And he did not leave out the words of gratitude for the fans, who applauded him in various sections of the rainy night in Núñez: “What is experienced here is experienced in few places in the world. The fans in the Copa Libertadores come with the desire to transmit all the positive energy. The stadium with 80,000 souls is spectacular”.