Thursday night in Mendoza was one of those that leaves consequences, that hurts deeply. River lost 2-1 with Independiente Rivadavia, said goodbye to the Professional League fight, had a catastrophic second half, was involved in an embarrassment at the end and suffered painful wounds that will have to heal as soon as possible. Because the season is not over yet and in the next four games they will have to secure their ticket to the 2025 Copa Libertadores. In a disastrous year, with more blows than joys, the time for reconstruction is beginning to arrive, which deserves a deep self-criticism and a long analysis of all lines: leadership, coaching staff and squad.
Gallardo’s second cycle has 20 games, with eight wins, nine draws and three losses. In total, they have 23 goals for and 15 against, with nine clean sheets. Within these numbers is framed the impossibility of fighting in the Professional League, a tournament in which River could only win nine of the 23 games it played, and the categorical 0-3 in Brazil with Atlético Mineiro that took him out in the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores. When in September everything seemed to be hope and wind in favor, with the addition of winning the superclásico at home with a majority of substitutes, October turned everything off.
Gallardo tries to calm Kranevitter, one of the most excited in River after the defeat against Independiente RivadaviaTHE NATION/Marcelo Aguilar
And November, beyond the shock with three wins in a row that presented him with an unexpected chance to fight for the League, He sentenced him with the night of the Mendoza scandal.
That overflow, that confusion, that madness that the River players immersed themselves in with the final fight does not seem to have to do only with the excessive and questionable celebration of Sebastián Villa in front of the millionaire fans. In part it is a reflection of the anger and impotence of a team that was never able to make that leap in quality. Every time he was saddled with the burden of being confident and convincing, he was cut short. Once again, the Millionaire was not up to the task and begins to close a bad 2024 which only had the title of the Argentine Super Cup won in March against Estudiantes.
“I have to do the analysis internally. And I particularly have to be very cautious with what I express because If I have to make a criticism it is internally, with me, with us. I will try to resolve them for the future, there is no possibility that I can express an opinion at this moment,” Gallardo said after the 1-2.
And he added: “Moreover after a bad result, I cannot make an analysis of what my arrival was until today because it is not appropriate. I will do it at the end when we finish these four remaining games. There we will evaluate and make decisions about how we want to continue, in what way and with what.. We’ll think about what’s coming. Now we have to be calm. There is a feeling of very hot blood.”
Armani, the great figure in Mendoza
That hot blood is not current. It’s drag. And it is not only anchored to this second cycle of the Doll. In the first semester, with the leadership of Martín Demichelis and a large part of the current squad, they won the Super Cup, but they could never be regular in football and lost with Boca in the quarterfinals of the League Cup and with Temperley in the round of 16 of the Argentine Cup . Furthermore, that remembered 0-2 defeat with Riestra as a visitor seemed to be the end point of a cycle that was dying.
This second part of the year, renewed by the arrival of Gallardo and a battery of weight reinforcements (Pezzella, Bustos, Meza and Acuña), It wasn’t what was expected either. In 2024 he was only sustained by the continental illusion, but more from an energy level than a factual one: he changed 10 players between the transfer markets, he modified the coach at the restart of the season, he changed schemes and ideas, he did not have a collective form and The players had low performances. He could never live up to it.
Marcelo Gallardo did not want to make evaluations in public, but he was already drawing conclusions for 2025THE NATION/Marcelo Aguilar
Estudiantes in La Plata on Friday the 29th and San Lorenzo at the Monumental on Wednesday the 4th are the next two commitments. The tournament will close with Rosario Central in Núñez and Racing in Avellaneda to get into the Libertadores of 2025. And then, in less than a month, the process of renewal of a squad with names under the magnifying glass (Funes Mori, Gattoni, Enzo Díaz, Casco, Fonseca, Villagra, Nacho Fernández and Borja, among others) who must have an exhaustive analysis of the Doll.
“It’s still too early, we have four games to play. These matches mark issues that have to do with the future, but now we have to score points for the Libertadores. Then we will see what conclusions we draw,” said Gallardo. Win, shuffle and give again.
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Here are two PAA (People, Action, Audience) related questions based on the provided text:
## Interview: River Plate’s Disappointing 2024 Season
**Guests:**
* **Pablo “El Búho” Pardo:** Renowned Argentine football journalist and commentator, known for his sharp analysis and insights.
* **Mariela Moritz:** Former River Plate Women’s team captain and current sports commentator, offering a unique perspective on the club’s culture and performance.
**Section 1: The Disastrous Second Cycle of Gallardo**
**Interviewer:** Pablo, you’ve followed River Plate closely for years. Can you analyze what has gone wrong in Gallardo’s second stint? Is this simply a case of unmet expectations after his previous success?
**Pablo Pardo:** Absolutely, we are witnessing a stark contrast to Gallardo’s first era. However, I wouldn’t solely attribute this downfall to simply unmet expectations.
**Interviewer:** Mariela, what are your thoughts? From a player’s perspective, are there specific factors that may have contributed to this lackluster performance?
**Mariela Moritz:** I believe the team lacked consistency and a defined identity throughout this cycle. There were too many changes, both in personnel and tactics, which hindered their ability to build momentum and establish a clear game plan.
**Section 2: The Mendoza Incident and Player Mentality**
**Interviewer:** Pablo, the scenes from Mendoza were alarming. What does this incident say about the current state of the River Plate squad?
**Pablo Pardo:** This outburst is a symptom of the deeper issues plaguing the team. It reflects frustration, anger, and a sense of helplessness. This team is struggling to cope with the immense pressure of expectations.
**Interviewer:** Mariela, do you agree? Is there a lack of mental fortitude within this River Plate team?
**Mariela Moritz:** I think there’s a disconnect between the talent within the squad and their mental approach to matches. They need stronger leadership both on and off the field to guide them through difficult periods.
**Section 3: The Future: Rebuilding and Redefining River Plate**
**Interviewer:** Pablo, Gallardo mentioned a thorough internal analysis of the situation. What key areas should this analysis focus on to ensure a successful future for River?
**Pablo Pardo:** They need to assess the team’s tactical identity, evaluate the performance of individual players, and understand why this current strategy failed to yield results. They must make tough decisions about personnel changes and decide what kind of football they want to play moving forward.
**Interviewer:** Mariela, what advice would you give to Gallardo as he faces this challenge?
**Mariela Moritz:** I would encourage him to build a team with strong character, resilience, and a clear understanding of River Plate’s values. He needs to create a cohesive unit that can weather setbacks and bounce back stronger.
**Section 4: Looking Ahead: Libertadores Hopes and Squad Renewal**
**Interviewer:** Pablo, with the Libertadores qualification hanging in the balance, how crucial will these next four games be for River’s immediate future?
**Pablo Pardo:** These four games are not just about securing Libertadores qualification. They are a chance for River Plate to salvage something positive from a tumultuous year. A strong finish could provide a much needed confidence boost.
**Interviewer:** Mariela, what are your expectations for the upcoming transfer window?
**Mariela Moritz:** Several players require careful evaluation. River Plate needs to identify and invest in players who are not just talented, but who embody the spirit and commitment that defines this historic club. They need to prioritize players with the mental fortitude to handle the pressure of playing for River Plate.
