30/07/2026 09:18 - Deportes
On July 29, 2026, River Plate, one of Argentina's most storied football clubs, lost its second match of the Torneo Clausura — the second half of the Argentine league season — this time to Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata by a score of 1-0 at the Juan Carmelo Zerrillo stadium. The decisive goal came in the 80th minute from Alexis Steimbach, assisted by Maximiliano Zalazar.
This defeat means River has now lost its opening two games of a league tournament for the first time since the Clausura 1995, a span of 31 years. Back then, under coach Carlos Babington, River fell to Lanús and Rosario Central, eventually finishing 10th. The club's worst start in the professional era remains three consecutive losses in 1994.
Eduardo 'Chacho' Coudet, who returned to the bench after serving a two-match suspension, faced the press with remarkable candor. The coach, known for his attacking philosophy, acknowledged the team's struggles: 'River doesn't give you margin or time. You have to win, and win a lot. This is one of the times it has cost me the most to make a team play the way I want.'
Coudet pointed out that while River dominates possession, they lack precision in the final third: 'We're missing that through ball, that assist that at River has to be different.' He also stressed the need for new signings, saying the squad, filled with many young players, requires three or four additions in various positions to compete at the highest level.
The match also brought physical setbacks: key players Marcos Acuña and Mauro Arambarri left the field due to injuries, adding to the list of absentees that already complicated Coudet's plans. Referee Leandro Rey Hilfer officiated the game, and the best River rating went to Joaquín Freitas with a 6.
Despite the gloomy start, the Torneo Clausura is still young. River's next chance to break the negative streak comes on Sunday, August 3 at 19:15 local time, when they host Rosario Central at the iconic Estadio Monumental. With hard work, potential reinforcements, and the support of their passionate fans, the Millonario aim to rediscover their winning form and climb back up the table.
Sources: ESPN and TyC Sports
Alfredo S. Quiroga
