Standing, arms crossed, glued to the line and with his eyes fixed on his players, Marcelo Gallardo bid farewell to his glorious 8-year cycle at River.
The rush of Bruno Zuculini as he scored the first goal towards DT, and his team mates behind, all sheltered under the Doll’s embrace, was a shocking and tender image of the end of a long love story.
“Doll, Doll”, the whole stadium was rooting for him throughout the game. There were around 40,000 fans in the friendly against Betis. Thousands who came from different Argentine cities and, according to the organizers, half came from Mendoza. It is known that the land of wine has always had a predilection for the millionaire team.
“It was a beautiful story. I love youThe flag that Fabian raised at the entrance to the stadium. The fan who arrived from the southern city of San Rafael said he could hardly sleep with the excitement of watching Gallardo’s latest game.
River’s friendly match against Betis in Mendoza was pure emotion. The meeting marks the closure of Gallardo as a millionaire coach. It was also for the Doll the reunion with his ex DT, the Chilean Manuel Pellegriniwho because of this relationship has asked to participate with Betis in the triangle with River and Colo Colo from Chile.
The former figures appeared from a VIP Enzo Francescoli Y Leo Pontius. And fans again with cell phones in hand try to convince them to take a selfie.
True to what happens in a friendly, people were paying more attention to what was happening around them than to the match itself. And there were no boos or reproaches to the screams of one of the few Betis fans who claimed a yellow card before a confused fall by Loren Morón.
Standing applause and an ovation 13′ into the second half as Mendoza del Maipú’s Enzo Pérez was substituted in the match.
Gallardo’s farewell coincided with Javier Pinola’s announcement of his retirement from professional football. “I’ve come this far, at 39, to the club I’ve dreamed of playing for all my life, ever since I was a kid,” River’s historic central scorer said through tears before stepping onto the pitch.
In the 73rd minute Pinola leaves the field and passes the captain’s armband to another historic man like Jonatan Maidana. It was one of the most emotional moments of the Mendoza afternoon. Versions indicate that the former defender will join the coaching staff led by Martín Demichelis at Slumdog Millionaire. However, the defender for the moment did not want to give further details on what he will do in the future.
Mendoza was the last meeting of the Slumdog Millionaire, from November 14 the players will take the license and begin their vacation phase. And now we will only talk about the World Cup.
Pinola’s numbers at the River
Source: Clarin
