Martín Demichelis said goodbye to River Plate with a mix of emotions and dignity, in a match that will remain in the memory of the fans. The match, played at the Monumental, ended with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Sarmiento de Junín, thanks to a goal by Franco Mastantuono in the last minutes of the second half.
From the start of the match, the tension and excitement could be felt in the air. Demichelis, aware that this would be his last match in charge of the team, Rivershowed a calm and professional attitude. Despite the challenges and criticism he faced during his administration, he remained firm and determined to say goodbye with his head held high.
The match itself was a reflection of River’s season under Demichelis: moments of brilliance mixed with struggles. River dominated much of the match, but struggled to convert opportunities. Sarmiento’s defense was solid, and the goalkeeper made several outstanding interventions that kept the score at zero until almost the end of the match.
It was in the 42nd minute of the second half that Franco Mastantuono, a promising youngster who Demichelis had given his debut at the age of 16, became the hero of the day. With a spectacular free kick, Mastantuono sent the ball into the corner, unleashing euphoria in the stadium.
This goal not only secured the victory for Riverbut also symbolised Demichelis’ legacy of investing in the club’s young talents. At the end of the match, the emotion was palpable. A visibly moved Demichelis said goodbye to each of his players with hugs and words of encouragement.
His son Bastian, who often acted as a ball boy, watched from nearby, unable to hold back his tears. In one of the boxes, his wife Evangelina showed the seriousness of mourning, reflecting the feeling of loss and farewell that overwhelmed the family.
The return of Gallardo
Meanwhile, in the stands, the fans of River They began chanting the name of Marcelo Gallardo, the former coach who led the club to numerous successes in the past. This gesture, while understandable, added an additional layer of complexity to Demichelis’s farewell.
Despite the challenges and criticism, Demichelis was grateful and proud to have had the opportunity to lead the club he loves. In his final speech, he expressed his love for River and his desire to see the team continue to be successful in the future.
