Peace Fades as River’s Season Hits Turbulence
The quiet that followed the Millionaire’s league triumph quickly shattered when a clash with the DT and the squad surfaced, breaking the calm in an instant.
On July 15, just under two months ago, River The Professional League secured its fate with two rounds to spare, riding a strong wave of momentum and guided by Martin Demichelis. His early years in Argentine football looked promising, and alongside a top-tier squad, he appeared ready to challenge every opponent ahead.
Yet from that moment everything began to unravel rapidly: a stumble and exit in the Argentine Cup, a penalty defeat that closed the Libertadores chapter, followed by a memorable goal amid several uneven performances, and a slow start in the Professional League Cup marked by two losses in three matches. To complicate matters, a destabilizing blow hit the team in a way no one anticipated.
After the clash with Vélez, which many labeled the worst match of the year, rumors started to swirl and, once they begin, they rarely fade away. Private chat leaks suggested a tense dynamic with several veteran players, whose futures after December 31 raised questions about whether their names would appear in the 2024 plans.
According to the club’s official briefing, a meeting between the DT and the most experienced figures occurred, and the harsh tone of some informal conversations was noted. The remarks, critical of management, allegedly reached the players through informal channels, amplifying the sense of discord within the squad.
Beyond future plans, fans shared concern about the team’s recent form and the visible volatility in tactical setups and formations, with frequent, lasting changes. Micho, speaking at a press conference, acknowledged that a string of adjustments cannot always salvage a match, as shown in the Barracas contest where fresh faces did not perform as expected once they took the field.
“We are part of an institution where comfort cannot be the goal; it would be serious if anyone felt otherwise,” he stated at the José Amalfitani. Although he stressed that this was not the case, the sentiment lingered, and observers noted the remark during analysis of the situation.
The developments unfold in a way that is unusual for River. While conflicts surfaced during the Gallardo era, they never permeated River Camp in the same manner. Demichelis, returning after nearly two decades abroad, faces the task of restoring harmony with leadership that entrusted him to guide the club through a delicate transitional phase after Muñeco. The club is not accustomed to open conflict, and the challenge ahead is to reassemble a unified front to contend with a demanding schedule.
All of this creates a complex tapestry for River, where the axis of stability has been tested and the pathways to renewed cohesion are being debated behind closed doors. The conversations and strategic moves planned in the coming weeks will reveal whether the club can stabilize under Demichelis and reclaim the momentum that once defined its ascent in the domestic scene and continental competitions.
— Report by Goal