This time no one from River He doesn’t care about the lack of goals or the 0-0 draw against Union in Santa Fe. This time, the most relevant thing is not what happens in a new date of the league, conspicuously without victories of big teams. This time, the scene is the cup Marcelo Gallardo and his return as the ‘millionaire’ coach. This is the best news for the fans of the red stripe on the diagonal, because they are getting back the most important coach in their history. It also sounds very good for the emaciated domestic football of the world champion country, because it means a plus in hierarchy. In the end, the only thing that matters is what will happen today at noon in Argentina: the official presentation of the Muñeco.
These were days of many negotiations between Gallardo and the management. There were too many details and issues to be adjusted. However, none of them could alter the end of this return. Since Martín Demichelis resigned, that was never in danger. The club announced on Friday that this Monday, today, the new coach will be announced. It will be on the San Martín terrace of the Monumental stadium. All that was missing from that announcement was the name and surname that everyone already knows.
Gallardo returns to River. He will sign until December 2025. After the presentation at midday at the stadium, he will direct his first practice in the afternoon at the Ezeiza complex. The debut will be on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. A big league match, at the Monumental, against the leader Huracán. If the millionaires win, they will reduce the distance to two points. However, the focus is on next week, in the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, against Talleres de Córdoba. The continental competition is the obsession. And Muñeco must make his hand known as soon as possible.
River, happy with the return of Marcelo Gallardo
In this sense, it seems that three reinforcements will arrive alongside Gallardo. Two are almost complete. El Muñeco convinced Germán Pezzella to return now, who had said “no” to Demichelis a few weeks ago but in the face of this special call will execute the exit clause from Betis, set at 4,500,000 euros.
River is also close to finalizing the signing of Maximiliano Meza, sought to achieve that change of pace and acceleration in the midfield that the team lost with the departures of Nicolás De la Cruz at the beginning of the year and Esequiel Barco a few days ago. The third would be a full-back, Fabricio Bustos, the former Independiente player who plays for Inter de Porto Alegre.
River dreams of repeating a golden history, the best stage of a millionaire coach in this giant club. Gallardo as coach won 2 Libertadores, 1 Sudamericana, 1 Recopa Sudamericana, 1 Copa Suruga, 1 Argentine league, 3 Argentine Cups, 2 Argentine Super Cups and 1 Champions Trophy. Although the most significant thing was the paternity he had over Boca, beating them in 5 consecutive mat-mata. One of them, epic, unique, almost impossible to repeat. Yes, the 2018 Libertadores final in Madrid.
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Gallardo’s return overshadows everything in Argentine football. For example, it is a minor detail that no major team has won in the ninth round: on Saturday, the 0-0 was won in Independiente – San Lorenzo and in Racing – Huracán. And this Sunday, it was repeated in Unión – River. In addition, Boca barely tied 1-1 in La Bombonera with the humble Barracas Central. Also taking a backseat is a striking table of positions, with Huracán as leader with 19 and with Unión as runner-up with 18. Third are Racing and Vélez with 17 and then appear Talleres and Atlético Tucumán with 16.
Everything revolves around River. The impact of Gallardo’s return is brutal. Paulo Díaz, the footballer most loved by the Millonarios fans these days, summed it up perfectly: “He means a lot to us. Everyone knows that. Welcome, Marcelo.”
