River Plate played a friendly against the Crusaders in San Nicolás, taking advantage of a weekend with no official fixtures to sharpen the squad ahead of the FIFA window. The match finished with a 1-0 victory for the Argentine side, a result that reflected their emphasis on testing players and increasing training load during the lull between competitive dates.
Coach Martín Demichelis seized the opportunity to introduce fresh faces and evaluate the depth of the squad. Among the notable moments, Sebastián Boselli made his debut for River Plate, the Uruguayan defender whose arrival during the current transfer period drew attention from fans and analysts alike. Bruno Zuculini also returned to action after seven months sidelined by a torn cruciate ligament, signaling a gradual reintroduction to peak match fitness. Another standout was the young forward Claudio Echeverri, whose displays continued to captivate supporters with his pace, vision, and willingness to take on defenders.
The evening produced a solitary goal in the second half. Esequiel Boat, one of the most dynamic players on the squad, crafted a solo run and unleashed a precise shot that found the back of the net. That individual effort proved decisive, securing the win for Núñez’s team and offering a positive signal ahead of the upcoming fixtures.
The San Nicolás clash provided valuable data for the coaching staff, confirming fitness levels, tactical readiness, and the potential impact of new or returning players. It also served as a tune-up exercise designed to refine pressing patterns, ball circulation, and collective shape under match conditions. As the game concluded, the highlights from San Nicolás summarized a productive session for River Plate, reinforcing the coaching staff’s plan to carefully balance development with competitive urgency.
OBJECTIVES, SUMMARY AND VIDEOS
Notes from Goal