River’s painful draw against Monterrey in the first friendly: from the goalkeeper’s error to Herrera’s ‘Brazilian’ goal

River had their first formal pre-season friendly. And to the team’s premiere Martin Demichelis in 2024, in which they drew 1-1 with Rayados of Monterrey Indications have emerged in Dallas about what the coach intends for Núñez’s team this year. The research involves a formation that combines play from the bottom, speed, dynamics and aggression. But it needed a ‘Brazilian’ goal by winger Marcelo Andrés Herrera to save a dying tie.

In any case, in this first test, River had difficulty capturing what his coach wanted. He still needs to be filmed. And more working time. There was a lot of desire and momentum but there was a lack of precision, especially in the last metres. AS, He was unable to make several advances that reached the goal of the rival area.

Tactically, Demichelis approached the start of the year in the same way he ended 2023. With a 4-3-1-2the same device he used in the final beaten by his team Central rosary on December 22nd in the Mother of Cities of Santiago del Estero for the Champions Trophy.

But it was not such a static or classic system, because as the match progressed, Esequiel Barco, who acted as a link, also appeared on some flanks in some plays or Nacho Fernández, one of the internal midfielders, for Sometimes he let go and in others he remained closer to Kranevitter, the central midfielder. And the full-backs were designed not only to make the team wide and deep, but also to generate superiority from the center up.

Enzo Díaz, in fact, arrived freely several times from the left, but his central defenders were not exploited well by the attackers, who played more with their backs to goal than in front. Especially the young boy Ruberto (he played in place of Borja, who was suffering from muscle fatigue), who made his debut in the First Division, and made a big pivot. But neither he nor Colidio could be in a clear final position..

The one who had a chance in the first half was Barco, but his shot went wide. The former Independiente was the most mobile. And he leaned far to the left, to join in Lanzinibut Manu went from tallest to shortest and couldn’t gravitate into the game.

On the other hand, River went back to doing something they had recently missed: recovering from the loss. With good pressure, at least in the first half, he managed to open the door. The standard bearer of these takeaways was Kranevitter and his teammates in the center and the attackers also contributed in that area. The same as the central defenders, when they advance so that the team does not go for a long time.

In any case, Rayados de Monterrey, led by the Argentine Fernando Ortiz, had a great opportunity in the first half, after an action in which he went behind Enzo Díaz, and after sending him into the area, Martínez almost scored a goal. After the rebound on Armani, Corona throws it out.

River’s goalkeeper came off as a precaution at half-time. The centurion replaced him. And Demichelis also made many changes to the team across the board to give more players playing time. One of those who entered was the boy Mastantuono, who made his appearance in the Premiere. He entered well, showed his skill and asked goalkeeper Cárdenas for a free kick. Another young player from the youth team also made his debut: Ian Subiabre. And for now the only reinforcement Nicolás Fonseca.

When River was closer to the goal (Barco hit the crossbar), Rayados counterattacked, Centurión missed and Aguirre pushed the ball into the empty net. And shortly after, the Uruguayan came close to making another one but González Pirez avoided it. And when it looked like River was losing, Herrera scored a bomb, equalized and saved Núñez’s team from defeat.