Trainer Martin Demichelis begins his cycle at the River this Thursday, with a friendly match against La Calera Union of Chilewhich is played at the La Pedrera stadium in San Luis, with the idea of keeping the bar high Marcellus Gallardo established in his eight years in office.
The game is played from 21.15 with the television of Star+ and allows us to see the former DT of the second team of Bayern Munich in Germany and his footballing intention on the pitch. In the last tests, ‘Micho’ used two schemes: 4-3-3 and 3-4-3.
Enzo Francescoli, technical secretary of River, has chosen him to succeed Gallardo, the most successful manager in the history of the club with 14 titles, and the former defender of the Argentine soccer team realizes his dream of leading the club he loves.
For this challenge, Demichelis has valued a team that he will no longer have javier pinolaretired in the friendly against Betis last November and joined the coaching staff, not even with the midfielder Thomas Pochette.
Demichelis has two great comebacks: Matías Kranevitter and Ignacio “Nacho” Fernández. The central midfielder was Rayados de Monterrey’s first reinforcement and the former Gimnasia La Plata parted ways with Brazil’s Atlético Mineiro.
In addition, he will have the base used by Gallardo in his final year, although his goal will be to promote players such as Agustín Palavecino, Andrés Herrera, Robert Rojas, Elías Gómez, José Paradela, Leandro González Pírez, Pablo Solari, Esequiel Barco, Rodrigo Aliendro, Lucas Beltrán and Miguel Borja.
The continuity of Juan Fernando Quintero is not overlooked by Demichelis. In principle, the scorer of the second goal against Boca in the Madrid final wants to continue and the leaders want to extend the link. Only a few contractual aspects remain to close the question.
Demichelis has been working with the team since 12 December. Tomás Castro Ponce and Tomás Lecanda, respectively for Godoy Cruz and Aldosivi, were the “new faces”, but the latter suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and will be inactive for at least six months.
Meanwhile, winger Elías López, who was on loan at Godoy Cruz, continues his recovery after tearing the cruciate ligament in his left knee last August.
In turn, he has added midfielder Franco Alfonso and goalkeeper Lucas Lavagnino, both from the Reserve division, for the first physical job in San Luis, and looks to consolidate Colombian striker Flabián Londoño. The three will be closely monitored to evaluate their inclusion in the preseason which will take place in the United States, starting next January.
A probable lineup would be with: EZequiel Centurion; Andrés Herrera, Leandro González Pírez, Emanuel Mammana and Milton Casco; Santiago Simón, Enzo Pérez and Agustín Palavecino; Esequiel Barco, Miguel Borja and Pablo Solari.
After the meeting with Unión La Calera, the River delegation will return to Buenos Aires and in January will travel to the United States for pre-season work with the following friendlies: Monterrey de México (01/10 in Austin, Texas), Millionaires from Colombia (01/14 at DRV PNK Stadium in Florida); and Vasco de Gama from Brazil (01/17 at DRV PNK Stadium in Florida).
With information from Telam
Source: Clarin
Jason Root is the go-to source for sports coverage at News Rebeat. With a passion for athletics and an in-depth knowledge of the latest sports trends, Jason provides comprehensive and engaging analysis of the world of sports.