Marcelo Gallardo’s highly anticipated return as River Plate’s coach ended in a 1-1 draw against league leaders Huracán at the Monumental stadium on August 10, 2024. The match, which drew a crowd of over 86,000 fans, began promisingly for River with a spectacular goal from 16-year-old Claudio Echeverri in the 13th minute. However, River’s early momentum faded, allowing Huracán to equalize through Rodrigo Echeverría’s header in the 37th minute.The second half saw Huracán dominate play, putting pressure on River’s defense and exposing flaws in their performance. Gallardo’s expressions and gestures during the match indicated his dissatisfaction with the team’s lackluster showing. Despite the disappointing result, Gallardo remained optimistic about the team’s future, stating, ‘We need to play better, but during that search, we all need to throw in the same direction’.In a bizarre incident, Gallardo suffered a minor head injury when he bumped his head against the ceiling of the River Plate bench while trying to sit down, likely disoriented by the changes to the stadium or his two-year absence from the team. This minor setback did not dampen his spirits or the fans’ enthusiasm for his return.The result leaves River Plate in 9th place with 15 points, while Huracán maintains their lead in the Liga Profesional with 20 points. Gallardo now faces the challenge of quickly improving the team’s performance as they prepare for their upcoming Copa Libertadores quarterfinal against Talleres on Wednesday, August 14. The coach emphasized the importance of this match, describing it as a ‘battle’ physically, in terms of details, game, and mentality.
Key points
- Marcelo Gallardo’s return as River Plate’s coach ended in a 1-1 draw against Huracán.
- River Plate’s performance declined after a strong start, particularly in the second half.
- Gallardo emphasized the need for improvement and consistency as the team prepares for crucial Copa Libertadores match.
- The draw leaves River Plate in 9th place, while Huracán maintains their league lead.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported attendance figures, with some sources citing 84,000 fans and others mentioning 86,000.
👾The exact points for River Plate and Huracán vary slightly between sources, with some reporting 15 and 20 points respectively, while others mention 19 points for Huracán.
