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And in the seventh game since the return of the legend, another River was born. Gallardo’s River is back. Some traces, at least. Some certainties. A handful of magic spread over the Monumental, which lived a party, in the run-up to the cup clashes with Colo Colo and the superclásico. There is life: the 4-1 over the rocky Atlético Tucumán, one of the animators of the Professional League, invites us to believe. People believed again.
The night of the 27 auctions60 percent possession, Bustos, a demon on the right and Acuña, a world champion on the left. Goals of all kinds. Some defensive slips, doubts in the midfield, an unexpected initial 4-3-3: all that is also part of the restructured River of Muñeco.
Colidio came in and sealed the winLA NACION/Gonzalo M. Colini
The night had a winter prologue for the millionaire team: they were losing after 10 minutes. Frank Nicolathe number 10 of the Dean, defined with subtlety against Armani, after a series of defensive mistakes, from the left to the center of the defense. Everyone had responsibility and González Pírez was left sprawled out, as a symbol. The first shot on goal.
Quite a curiosity: if there was something to be rescued from Gallardo’s return to the Monumental, it was the defensive solidity, contributed by two new players on the wings, Bustos and Acuña and the presence of PezzellaWith Paulo Díaz resting for the double qualifying date, González Pirez was left very exposed. But he was not the only one.
River emerged from its lethargy with lackluster, disconnected advances. A pirouette by Meza in the area, from above. A shot by Nacho Fernández, which Durso blocked. Bold bursts without a clear context, without a plan. Arrests of desire, of will. Gallardo, meanwhile, stood with his hands in his pockets and a worried face. It was not, at that point (and as in many of the games since his return), a team of authors. Of his signature.
A curious celebration, in one of the millionaire goalsLA NACION/Gonzalo M. Colini
A formation without speed, predictable. It seemed that it was missing two, maybe three gears. The preseason, in the middle of the FIFA date, should have been for that: to tighten the strings. High pressure, offensive voracity, arrogance in the center circle, sharp teeth in the own zone. Little, almost nothing of his lineage. Until…
Until a dead ball changed everything. A corner from Nacho Fernández (a kid’s desire, a veteran’s physique), a charge from González Pirez, who dived to the ground. The 1-1 did not transform his failed defensive work (did he suffer being the second central defender?), but the shout gave the Monumental a boost. They sang for River, for Muñeco, for the Libertadores.
And River recovered a small portion of its historical essence. The Little Devil Echeverri He moved to the centre, like a (false) 10, previously meaninglessly screwed into the left wing position, in an unexpected 4-3-3, with Meza on the other border.
Borja’s goal, shouted two minutes later, with suspenseLA NACION/Gonzalo M. Colini
Until the goal that was shouted two minutes after it was scored scared away some ghosts. River shouted it with soul, life and delay. The action had started with a cross back from Bustos and Borja took everything. Header, post, the goalkeeper in the way and a rebound from the scorer. Keep going, keep going, was the signal to Sebastian ZuninoHowever, the VAR, which has been rightly questioned so many times, took note this time. The ball had clearly gone in. The Colombian reached 50 goals in 95 games with the team’s shirt.
A Chilean kick from the striker, which the goalkeeper sent to the corner, was the last warning of the first half that River was alive. Almost without realizing it, the millionaire team was losing and went on to win, in the blink of an eye, with Tesuri’s nightmare on the backs of the midfielders. The Atlético Tucumán midfielder is playing more freely every day.
Gallardo, now yes, with a smileLA NACION/Gonzalo M. Colini
Applause for the Muñeco, now yes. The final stretch should have been the confirmation of some signs. However, he was saved before two minutes, with a 25-meter bomb from Bajamichwho crashed into a post, light years away from Armani’s flight. Perhaps, that stroke of luck gave him more strength. And among all, the best version. Acuña launched: marking, projection, personality. Some precise crosses, unbreakable will.
The Devil released a shot, Bustos was more confident, another header from Pirez, which this time Durso saved. The stadium woke up with traces of nostalgia and some personal reasons.
The income of Lanzini and Colidio (the author of the last goal) gave Gallardo other tools, but the momentum was always on the left side. From a wonderful play by Acuña, to the first goal by Meza with a personal celebration included. Now, River let loose. On the wings, above all. The applause was continuous, at this point. From above, downwards. From the people, who were singing for Boca and the cup, towards the leader, with another appearance, more spring-like, more youthful. There was even an ovation for Acuña, the figure, replaced at the end by a historical figure, like Milton Casco. “The egg, egg,” marked the agenda. Quite a message.
The Doll’s soul returned to its body. The giant woke up. And that’s no small feat.
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