“They used my name, they dirty me and made my family receive threats”

Marcos Acuña made his debut in River. And, despite the goalless equality with Newell’s that prevented Marcelo Gallardo’s team from climbing the Professional League standings, Huevo was happy to return to Argentina and for its debut with the red band. But also, after plying the left wing for 90 minutes, he took advantage of the moment to clarify the goals with the Racing leadership, the club from which he projected himself to Europe and which was touched by his decision to choose a different destination.

“The Racing leaders handled themselves very badly. They used my name, they dirty me and made my family receive threats,” Acuña said as soon as the duel at the Monumental ended to try to extinguish the rumors that had begun to circulate in Avellaneda when he made his final decision. I disembark at River.

And, after announcing that he will not speak about the subject again, he clarified: “The only club in Argentina that called me was River. The contact I had with Gallardo was key.”

Acuña made his debut at a Monumental that received him with a red carpet. When the voice of the stadium announced his name, the leading marker was applauded and cheered from all four sides of the Monumental. Despite not having any previous relationship with the club, the fans recognized him for his performance in the National Team, his status as world champion and for having chosen River.

The Egg took all the flashes. Right from the beginning when the lights went out and came back on quickly moments before the players went out to make pre-competitive movements on the playing field. The cameras focused on the left side’s face, both in the tunnel and on the grass, and were shown on the LED screen above the Sívori Alta.

Acuña has been a River footballer for less than a week. On Sunday he agreed to his arrival and on Tuesday he returned to the country to undergo a medical examination and sign the contract with the Núñez club. His first training session with his new teammates was on Thursday, a day after the Millonario team beat Talleres de Córdoba at the Monumental and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores.

Gallardo had already anticipated that if he found him physically well he would include him among those summoned. And so it was. Acuña had a good training pace with Sevilla in Spain, his previous club. And he also participated in the United States Copa América that he won with the Argentine National Team.

And in his first game at River, Acuña had a good debut. He played with the temperance and hierarchy of a world champion. He delivered the passes well and when he went on the attack he made noise. Although, perhaps he needed to project himself more.

He also showed personality and was not dribbled when attacked. He even took charge of the corners in the left sector.

With Acuña, Gallardo completed the piece he was missing in defense to put together a line of four with a lot of presence, which also includes Fabricio Bustos, Germán Pezzella and Paulo Díaz.