In River There are parallel universes with respect to the look on Martin Demichelis. On the one hand, from the entrance gate on Avenida Figueroa Alcorta inwards, there is peace with the coach’s work and the support remains absolute. On the other hand, there are questions from a large part of the fans, who, apparently, do not show that they have chemistry with coach Millonario. Meanwhile, Micho takes refuge in his numbers and looks ahead.
The criticism deepens with each coach’s decision, especially when he reaches out to make changes. Just as he was questioned about the haste due to the modifications against Boca and the way in which the team was stopped after winning 1-0, the 2-2 with Talleres was criticized for his posture in the second half (very far back on the field of play) and the modifications, in particular that of Andrés Herrera (a full-back) for Rodrigo Villagra (central midfielder).
Demichelis argued his decision. “We do not suffer difficulties when we set up the line of five defendersIn fact, there we settled into the bad game we were playing in the second half. We had control again and felt like we were in the game,” said the coach. However, River was equalized minutes after that change.
The contradictions that appear in Demichelis’ words are then reflected on the playing field. He went from questioning Diego Martínez for finishing the Superclásico with 7 defenders to discursively supporting his approach with a line of five in the last stretch of the match with Talleres in Córdoba. To make matters worse, the Boca coach stated that during the week, Micho sent him a message to apologize for those statements.
Despite the ups and downs he continues to have in his walk, Demichelis exhibits calmness. And the four consecutive draws do not faze him. Quite the opposite. He chooses the glass half full. And he considers that his team did not have defeats at the beginning of this year, as happened in 2023 when he lost twice (against Belgrano and Arsenal) in February. Furthermore, now, River accumulates 13 games without losing.
“There is something good about not losing. In my first year, within the first five games we had lost twice. Today we have a string of games without losing, which makes you a strong team,” said the man from Córdoba. And there arises another issue for debate. Does River look like “a strong team”?
Demichelis also relies on the numbers of his cycle. Of the 64 games he has coached so far, he has won 38., tied 15 and lost 12. They scored 67 percent of the points at play. A number similar to that obtained by Marcelo Gallardo in the same number of matches.
The one born in Justiniano Posse is very adept at statistics. And beyond specific issues that happen on the field of play, which exasperate many fans, he looks a lot at the numbers. Not only to make decisions, but also to observe the path forward.
And from that path, Demichelis will not deviate. Even knowing that she has things to correct. For example, that his team can withstand the results when it takes the lead, knowing how to close games or not making unforced errors that throw away the good moments that he manages to build.
Nor will a setback in the League Cup or a defeat in the final with Estudiantes in the Argentine Super Cup final deter the coach from his path if it were to happen. The north is oriented towards the Copa Libertadores. And despite the criticism he receives, Demichelis has the confidence and absolute support of the leadership to face the most important challenge of the year.