River Plate in the Driver’s Seat as the 2023 season nears its end
With nine rounds completed and only four still to go, the title picture in the Argentine professional league is shaping up as a dramatic finish. River Plate sits at the top, pulling away from the field and edging closer to lifting the championship in a campaign that would mark Martin Demichelis’s first league crown as a head coach. A recent victory over Colón helped steady the club after a hiccup against Barracas Central, reinforcing the feeling that River is in control of its destiny as the season approaches its final act.
From the heart of Núñez, the team opened the latest phase with a robust advantage. They entered date 23 with a cushion of nine points over their nearest rivals, Talleres and San Lorenzo, while Talleres faced a critical moment and San Lorenzo found their path narrowed after a draw that kept them in the chase but still trailing. River’s 2-0 win over Sabalero extended their lead and, importantly, left them needing only four points from four matches to seal the title regardless of other results. One more win would even pressure the remaining contenders to chase a result that could only delay the inevitable for the others. River’s position is clear: win and reign supreme; anything less would invite a late surge from the pack, but the margin already feels substantial.
There was talk about a potential shift in focus to the Olympics and a different venue, as the team prepared to face San Lorenzo at the Nuevo Gasómetro. Still, the victory by the Cyclone over Sarmiento slightly narrowed the margins in this tight race, maintaining a sense of suspense about the final weeks. If River can grab another win while Córdoba’s own outfit, tied to the race, fails to beat Unión, the title would be sealed in short order. Should both rivals muster enough points to keep pace, the championship celebration could be postponed to a match scheduled for midweek or the following weekend, depending on the exact results that unfold in the meantime.
Looking ahead, River Plate still has a quartet of fixtures to navigate in the 2023 Professional League. Each game carries the weight of history and the pressure of expectation, with supporters watching every move for signs of how the trophy will be clinched. A victory in any of these matches not only secures the points but also sets a tone for the club’s approach to the final days of the season. The team has demonstrated resilience, balance, and a tactical edge that keeps them ahead of the pack as the calendar tightens toward the finish line. The combination of a stable lead and a proven capable squad makes the prospect of lifting the title more than a distant dream; it is a likely outcome that reflects the depth and consistency of the squad under Demichelis’s guidance. The path to the championship remains straightforward in theory: collect the necessary points, maintain discipline, and let the competition chase an outcome that looks increasingly probable for River Plate. The road is not without risk, but the current form and the head-to-heads left on the schedule suggest that the club is well positioned to close out the season with silverware. This steady march toward glory has energized fans and commentators alike, who see in River a team that has learned to win when it matters most. The season’s narrative, built on a string of carefully managed performances, points toward a conclusion that would reward the club’s ambition and the leadership of Demichelis. — Goal