After the celebration, the Millionaires’ anthem resounds in the Monumental. “Muñeco, Muñeco, Muñeco…”, everyone sings. They shout for that emblematic, winning coach, who changed the mentality of River and in a few weeks he was able to transform the instability of the last stretch of Martín Demichelis’ cycle into a high degree of solidity. Thus, with consistency, without brilliance, without shocks, the River of Marcelo Gallardo He left a tough guy on the road Colo Colo and was installed in the semifinals of this Liberators that obsesses him.
Nacho Fernández explained: “Gallardo gave us a boost of energy to the players, to the fans and to the whole club. The morale is very important. Having Marcelo here is great and we have to enjoy it.”
Colo Colo was much more difficult than imagined. River doesn’t seem to have much imagination. Who would have thought that in Buenos Aires the Chilean boss would have 63% possession? However, Gallardo’s team knew how to resolve the series with order, concentration and opportunism. Thus they achieved a qualification as close as they deserved.
Arturo Vidal and Colo Colo, dejected
After the 1-1 draw in Santiago, which was hard-fought and at times suffered, it was known that it would not be an easy game for River. That is why Marcelo Gallardo’s hand in choosing the players was key. And just as the Muñeco’s stamp was noticeable in the Superclásico at the weekend in La Bombonera, the coach’s imprint also emerged in this quarter-final rematch at the Monumental.
Gallardo saw that Facundo Colidio flew against Boca and gave him the chance: inside instead of the precocious talent Claudio Echeverri. And it was precisely Colidio who appeared to squeeze out a defensive lapse and solve it with class. And it was not only the goal of qualification. It hurt, it worried…
Unlike in Santiago, River did not have any scares in their area in the first half. All because Muñeco also got the midfield set up right. Matías Kranevitter, Santiago Simón, Maxi Meza and Nacho Fernández devoured Arturo Vidal and Carlos Palacios. At that time, Colo Colo hardly set foot in the area. Although they did not have many clear chances, River shot much more at goal than their rival: seven shots against one by the Chilean team.
In the second half there were definitely no dangerous situations in any area. Colo Colo showed possession, but without depth. River did not shoot at goal as much. But they had scored a goal and that was enough.
Now River is waiting in the semi-finals for Fluminense or Atlético Mineiro, knowing that if they make it to the final in a single match it will be at home, at the Monumental. And with the peace of mind of having a wise, shrewd and winning coach like Gallardo on the bench, capable of transforming intrigues into certainties and illusions. Yes, River’s dream of winning the fifth Libertadores is more than well justified.
