How did Gallardo recover River after two shots that looked like a knockout

Victories bring relief. Especially in difficult times. And the 3-0 wins Central Barracks from Argentine Cup brought a truce to Nunez after knockout shots in the Libertadores Cup and the heavy defeat against Godoy Cruz in the league. Besides, it was necessary. Renew the air and make sure that the tension of the previous one does not increase.

“The truth is we needed a game to believe in our game again and to have faith that it matters after the shots. After a difficult week we played against a complex rival. And we were up to the task “, commented Marcelo Gallardo after his team got the ticket for the round of 16 of the Argentine Cup, in which case they will face Defense and Justice.

During the last week, The river was a volcano. In recent days uncertainty has increased due to low collective returns and individual, especially reinforcements, due to the lack of speed in the current market, by players who have lost their best version and due to the wear generated by constant demand and which leads to some sparks when plans don’t go as imagined.

Gallardo needed a footballing response from his players, something the manager exposed in internal talks. And he aimed to touch the intimate fibers of his targets. In addition, he has resorted to tactical decisions. Of the eleven players who played against Godoy Cruz on Sunday, he only repeated four footballers (Franco Armani, Milton Casco, Rodrigo Aliendro and Lucas Beltrán). With the exception of Enzo Pérez, who is hard-fought, the other six (Paulo Díaz, Emanuel Mammana, Leandro González Pirez, José Paradela, Nicolás De La Cruz and Braian Romero) left for tactical reasons.

Gallardo himself acknowledged that he was off his axis. “There are attitudes that sometimes speak for themselves, and I try to control them, sometimes I can’t. I have mistakes and in difficult times, you have to keep temperance and sanity, but sometimes I miss some things. And it is normal because I live life like this, I feel and correct myself because I know the place I occupy and I have to support a group. You never have to lose your temper, but sometimes you lose it, ”admitted the River manager.

And he added: “Difficult times are difficult, but no matter how long it takes, the important thing is to get out. Sometimes it costs more, you have to be patient, but when it’s hard to find your way, that’s where you have to be convinced of what you feel, think and be consistent in the message. It is a day and a return that goes hand in hand with the executives, with the campus. with people. We feed each other and it is normal that we ask. And if I don’t show that request, it is more difficult for me because the meaning I would find in terms of my way of feeling would not be recognizing myself. “

Gallardo will now try to make this match against Barracas Central serve as a turning point to rebuild his team and get back on track in the league. And that’s what the doll will focus on. “You have to start building a new team, which is recognized in the position we have had in recent years. But it is not easy to do. To assimilate the River world, the demands, our playing intentions when they come from other teams … Getting here and taking on everything quickly is not easy. And much less in a tight year. Rebuilding good teams takes time“assured the native of Merlo.

And he also dedicated a few words to Andrés Merlos, whose appointment to the match with Barracas Central has once again put him on high guard. “We played a good game despite Merlos. There was no solid referee in sight and he was not up to the task“, sacked the” Millonario “coach, worried about the referees, especially after what happened last week against Vélez in the Libertadores when River had a goal disallowed due to an alleged hand by Matías Suárez who did not is seen.

In the preview of the duel for the Argentine Cup, Merlos’ past with Barracas Central weighed on promotion. And already on the pitch, to the members of the River coaching staff They were impressed that when he passed by their side before the match began, the referee lowered his head and looked down..

Beyond Merlos’ poor refereeing, River got rid of Barracas Central by playing a good game. And even if it sounds exaggerated, qualification for the round of 16 of the Copa Argentina dissipated the storms. An early elimination – and even more so against the AFA president’s team – would have unleashed an atmosphere never seen and heard during the eight years in which Gallardo led Núñez’s team.