30/07/2026 03:09 - Deportes
On July 29, 2026, at the historic Juan Carmelo Zerrillo Stadium (known as El Bosque) in La Plata, Gimnasia La Plata defeated River Plate 1-0 in Matchday 2 of the Torneo Clausura 2026. The result leaves River with three consecutive defeats this semester, but the club’s management and fans remain confident that the team will soon find its rhythm under the guidance of experienced coach Eduardo Coudet.
The stadium erupted in celebration at 80 minutes (34' of the second half) when Alexis Steimbach rose above the defense to head home a precise cross from Maximiliano Zalazar. It was a moment of pure joy for the Lobo faithful, who saw their team secure a vital home victory.
According to Argentine sports media, River showed defensive disorganization and lacked offensive fluidity. However, young forward Joaquín Freitas stood out as the team’s best performer. Below are the ratings (scale 1-10) from TyC Sports:
| Player | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Beltrán | 5 | Hesitant on Gimnasia’s goal. |
| G. Montiel | 5 | Poor passing and defensive transitions. |
| L. Martínez Quarta | 4 | Lost duels in one-on-one situations. |
| Otamendi | 5 | Covered for his partner’s mistakes. |
| Acuña | 5 | Most dangerous in attack, but got injured. |
| Arambarri | 5 | Subbed off at halftime due to a knock. |
| Silva | 4 | Imprecise and chaotic in counterattacks. |
| Galván | 3 | Completely absent in playmaking. |
| Correa | 5 | Showed glimpses of class despite early knock. |
| Freitas | 6 | Best of the lot, showed attacking intent. |
| L. Beltrán | 4 | Lacked sharpness, missed a clear chance. |
| Coudet (Coach) | 3 | Team still in construction, not yet clicking. |
River Plate is in a transitional phase. With world-class talent and a coaching staff dedicated to building a cohesive system, the club’s supporters believe the team will soon turn things around. Injuries to key players like Acuña and Arambarri have disrupted the lineup, but the squad has the depth to recover in the upcoming Clausura matches. The next fixture will be crucial for Coudet’s project.
Sources: El Día and TyC Sports
Alfredo S. Quiroga
