November 1, 2024, 9:05 AM
November 1, 2024, 9:05 AM
The Argentine Martín Demichelis, coach of the Rayados del Monterrey of Mexican soccer, celebrated the reception this Thursday with a flare show that the River Plate fans gave to his team in the second leg of the Copa Libertadores semifinals.
“I didn’t doubt the River fan, the day before he also made a great offer of affection to the team and in the game I didn’t expect anything less, the scenery was beautiful and thank God nothing happened; The sanctions do not depend on me and it is not my turn to give an opinion,” explained the former center back and strategist of the Argentine River in a press conference.
The ‘millionaires’ were left out of the final of the Copa Libertadores last Tuesday, after losing the semifinal series 0-3 against the Brazilian Atlético Mineiro, who will compete for the title against Botafogo in November.
Prior to the second leg, River fans filled the stands of their stadium, the Monumental, and used white and red fireworks, the club’s colors, an action that covered the building, but caused the stage to be closed by the Government Control Agency (AGC), dependent on the Government of the City of Buenos Aires, for unauthorized use of pyrotechnics.
Demichelis’s Rayados are going through a difficult time in the Apertura 2024 tournament, after adding just one victory in their last five games, which has them at risk of leaving the direct qualification zone for the quarterfinals.
Monterrey is fourth with 25 points, a position that leaves it close to leaving the six that will compete in the play-offs and advance directly to the round of the best eight. With three games remaining in the regular phase, the Rayados should not let points slip away. Their next game will be this Saturday against Atlas.
“The tension has risen because there is no longer any margin for error. I believe in my players, I trust in the group that is not going to hide, it is going to show its face,” added Demichelis, who since taking over as the Monterrey bench last August has obtained three victories, four draws and three defeats.
