River’s other streak: they gave him 8 penalties in 11 dates and he converted them all

The difference game between Marcelo Gallardo, the former winning coach, and Martín Demichelis, the brand new one, is usually attractive to River fans and journalists. There is a lot of talk about football, tactical drawings of the teams, ideas. There are things that bring them closer and others that push them away. But there is a question in which they are poles apart: the relationship with the arbitrators. Meanwhile him Doll complained a lot about the judges, Micho opt for calm. “They will never hear me talk about referees; neither good nor bad”, he repeats in conferences. And it appears that Núñez’s current cast coaching strategy has paid off.

The difference is abysmal and symptomatic: while Gallardo’s River was not charged any penalties in the last championship (27 games), the Demichelis player has already received 8 penalties in 11 games. It is worth specifying that those directed by Gallardo have received 8 maximum penalties in the League Cup. Something else: River have only conceded one penalty in the entire 2022 Copa Libertadores, and this season They already gave it to him on his first day in Bolivia.

What is being said in the corridors of the Monumental it has a lot of truth River is penalized because he attacks a lot. And of the 8 he had in favor, only that of Enzo Pérez against Argentinos was badly sanctioned and was not challenged by the VAR.

The penalty shootout started against Bicho de La Paternal on the third round. In addition to the non-existent Pérez, he took a clean hand from Kevin Mac Allister that night. Miguel Borja and Esequiel Barco converted the goals.

Then came the fouls against Godoy Cruz and both were successful: the first, from goalkeeper Ruso Rodríguez to Aliendro; the second, from Cingolani to Enzo Díaz. Beltrán and Barco were the goalscorers. Against Sarmiento there was a clear hand ball from García which Beltrán traded for a goal. And finally, the clear sanctions against Huracán in the Ducó.

Missing this Thursday night left no doubt why Enzo Díaz reached the ball first and Guillermo Enrique carried it with him. Rondón and Barco were on the pitch, but Beltrán was the one who got the ball and didn’t miss.

Obviously River is not the first in the tournament due to the penalties that are charged to them. The numbers don’t lie: the cast of Demichelis scored their sixth consecutive win. More: he scored 14 goals and none were scored.

He is the comfortable leader of the River league and only San Lorenzo appears in his rear view mirror, behind Rosario Central and Talleres. Demichelis’ cast plays well, scores many goals and enters the area with a lot of people. Maybe that’s why they score so many penalties.