After two days off, River He returned to work this Wednesday at the Camp de Ezeiza. Without the selected players (Paulo Diaz in Chile, Nicolas Fonseca in Uruguay and Claudio Echeverri, Franco Mastantuono y Agustín Ruberto with the Argentina U-20), and with the injured in the process of recovery, the ‘millionaire’ squad began a long week of work before playing the next match which will be on Thursday the 21st against Independent Rivadavia in Mendozaafter the break for the double day of the South American Qualifiers. And they took advantage to give the players the first dose of the dengue vaccine.
Among the footballers who are in the recovery process are German Pezzella (muscle fatigue in the right calf), Marcos Acuña (muscle injury to the left hamstring), Enzo Diaz (He underwent surgery on Tuesday for an inguinal hernia and after rest he will begin rehabilitation). And they were also Agustín Sant’Anna (synovitis in the right knee) and Ignacio Fernandez (muscle strain in the left rectus femoris), who have already been discharged.
‘Nacho’ is now available to play. The “brain” of the squad had been injured in the run-up to the rematch against Atlético Mineiro and is now able to return for next week’s match in Mendoza. The issue now is: What will Gallardo do with him?
For Muñeco, Fernández is a very important player. Both on and off the court. And he considers that his presence gives the team intelligence and experience. But there is also a reality: the midfielder’s performance has dropped considerably in recent months. And, on the other hand, in the three games in which he was absent, the level of the midfield, with Maximiliano Meza grew up in his place.
The River coach, then, is presented with a new dilemma. Although, in those situations it was always clear: whoever feels best plays. “There is an internal competition and when you see that a footballer is better, you play”said the award-winning coach. And that message goes to everyone, whatever the name. It happened with the Colombian Miguel BorjaFor example.
Nacho knows, at this point at 34 years old and having been a key player in Gallardo’s first cycle and a fundamental part of that group, what the Doll thinks, his way of handling himself and his work method. So, it is not unreasonable to speculate that when he plays again he will do so entering the second half.
Photo: Fotobaires In fact, when this second chapter of the man with the statue as River coach began, in August, Nacho started as a substitute. And after getting better physically and with some good appearances coming off the bench, he regained ownership. Although, later, his level decreased and the team felt it.
In the midst of this situation, there are also rumors about Nacho’s future. A possible return to Gimnasia de La Plata is often mentioned, although he still has one more year left on his contract at River. And he plans to fulfill it. For this reason, it may be that, from now on, its presence begins to occur more at specific moments, something like what happened with other historical ones such as Leonardo Ponzio at the time or as happens with Milton Casco now, who, due to the injuries of Acuña and Enzo Díaz, once again started on the left side. And Gallardo put him as a model.
“For me Milton Casco is an example of a professional. Staying in River for so many years… That happened before, in the ’70s and ’80s. He has been there since 2015 and staying at River for nine seasons is a lot. Only a guy who looks forward, is professional, trains, can do it, whether he plays or doesn’t play, he is always with the same availability. It is not the same Casco that we saw five or six years ago, but the guy is present and that is only done by someone who is focused on continuing to play for River or who at least takes it into account.”commented the Doll about the Entre Ríos defender.
Perhaps Nacho will begin to look forward from a place similar to Casco’s..