The Millionaire has embraced a new coach after nearly ten years with Gallardo on the bench, and the start of this cycle surpassed every expectation.
Marcelo Gallardo left a sizable void after more than eight years and 14 trophies with River, a gap that proved hard to fill for the club. The mantle fell to Martin Demichelis, who took charge of the first team for the 2023 season.
River’s 2023 schedule unfolded with a strong start.
Demichelis’ official debut came on January 28, opening the Professional League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Central Córdoba in Santiago del Estero, sending a hopeful signal to fans. The peak moment arrived on matchday 13, when River registered eight consecutive league wins and an unbeaten run that stretched into a draw against Atlético in Tucumán.
The first Superclásico of Demichelis’ tenure was a milestone, a 1-0 win sealed by a late goal from Miguel Borja. The triumph over Boca marked the high of a stretch, but the run soon faced its first setback: a 2-1 loss to Talleres in Córdoba cost the club some lead at the top. A week later, a 2-1 victory over Platense offered a brief recovery, yet points were dropped again in a visit to Liniers.
In the Libertadores Cup, progress was not without its bumps. The campaign began with a 3-1 defeat at The Strongest in La Paz, the lone blemish on an otherwise solid run. Yet River redeemed itself by defeating Sporting Cristal 4-2 at the Monumental, only to suffer a heavy 5-1 defeat to Fluminense and a draw in Peru that forced a decisive push in the final two rounds.
While league success remained the team’s primary objective for many fans, the Argentine Cup also held significance, alongside the ambition for a potential Superclásico in a final for an official title, with the date to be confirmed.
Next, analysis will examine each match guided by Micho at River.
STATISTICS
Demichelis’ start places him among River Plate’s most effective early coaches. He accumulated 42 points from 14 wins and 3 losses, a tally that edges past the 41 points recorded by Carlos Peucelle in 1942. In contrast, Gallardo’s early spell delivered 37 points in his first 17 games, with 10 wins and 7 draws, highlighting the different early trajectories between the two managers.
Citation: Goal