Why change what works? This question is repeated again and again in the world River for these hours. And after that question comes another reflection: Capitalize on learnings to reduce the margin of error in a professional league that is entering its most decisive phase yet. Because, although Martin Demichelis’ team lost to Talleres and reduced their distance at the top of the championship (five points from San Lorenzo), there is a framework and a context that allows them to stick to their work: Fell again after 10 dates, in which they won nine games and tied one with only one goal against.
Demichelis made two substitutions in relation to the team that beat Boca in the monument: the recovered Paulo Díaz entered a forced substitution for the injured Emanuele Mammena, and decided to leave Rodrigo Aleandro on the substitutes’ bench for the entry of Salomon Rondon, who did not even enter the Superclassic. It was really a surprise to face an opponent that provided an intense, dynamic game with high pressure that was at times unbearable.
Martin Demichelis shocked to see Aleandro ruled out of match against Tallares
And despite the fact that it was a game of circumstances for both teams, River, at times, was overwhelmed and suppressed by the rhythm of the game given by the Cordoba team, Which exposed the old defensive problems in recoil and mark. In addition, Rondon could not have had a positive game.
What did DT think? “The choice not to put Aleandro was because we saw that Tallares uses a tactical system similar to Huracán: to defend, 4-4-2, and when they have the ball, 4-2-3- 1. We saw a lot of breaks, breaks when starting. (Rodrigo) Villagra ahead of the line of four, (Diego) Ortegoza was the one who got the most, and the two wingers, (Ramon) Sosa, (Diego) Valois , (Rodrigo) Garo and Michael Santos, they started the team five versus five. We wanted to defend in that position with six players with Nico de la Cruz and Enzo Perez, Nico, Nacho (Fernandez) and Esquiel ( Barko) and the two wingers go hand in hand to cause damage. With Huracan it went well; today, no”, Demichelis analyzed in a conference. “We were confident, not many in their midst Were, they were very divided. So we trained him from the beginning of the week and it went well, but on game day the truth is told, and Tallares won.”
Martin Demichelis loves bold variants; He scored tries against Fluminense and Sporting Cristal in the Copa Libertadores – Credit: @MAURO PIMENTEL
That bold quest to move pieces and take different risks depending on the opponent has already been reflected in the year: It suffered a devastating 5-1 defeat with Fluminense in the second half and in a 4–2 win against Sporting Cristal at the Monumental. Briefly, in that second cup match, Demichelis used the same equipment as on Sunday in Cordoba. And Rivera once again showed a more vulnerable image, leaving more room for the opponent and with little balance in the nerve center of the field. By that match, changes for the second half (Solari and Aleandro for Rondón and de la Cruz) were the keys to a hard fought victory due to the expulsion of Enzo Díaz.
The figure of Aleandro frames an old background that the river has been carrying for a long time: today, losing a reference from the area and a pressure spear to achieve containment and deployment that gives Enzo Pérez another oxygen, and makes him Allows the width to be optimally covered. of the area, seems to be a right decision. The success of playing 4–2–3–1 or 4–3–2–1 with five midfielders has made Crorepati the sole leader of the professional league today. And Ex-Cologne’s numbers support him: with him, the team won 14 games and lost 3, With an effectiveness of 83.3%; Without him, he lost two, tied one and won one with a 33.3% ERA. If it isn’t, feel it. And your partner feels it.
Aleandro, required to cooperate with Enzo Perez in midfield; Here, in the mark on Barco in the Superclásico – Credit: @Mauro Alfieri
“In football you have to win doubles and be accurate. The emotional factor is one of the most important, I am not saying that the team has taken rest. That’s why I always say that there is no champion with 37 points. We must continue to act with humility and respect for the profession. I have no doubt that we will rise. We knew defeat after 11 games and two classics. We must continue to act with humility, harmony and respect for the profession,” Demichelis commented.
In a 2023 that was undergoing transition and ended in explosive form, error is a possibility. And learning not to repeat it when the margin is low is an obligation.
