“I walked into the conference room, saw the TV and he said ‘River didn’t like it’. Wed…!”he exclaimed Eduardo Coudet after the 3-1 defeat to Aldosivia at the Monumental for the Apertura tournament. Thus he left behind the defeat in the superclásico, although the public expressed impatience in the partial tying goal for the Mar del Plata club. In this context, the coach appeared before the media with a firm tone, as usual, and defended the team’s performance, questioned the press criticism and focused on the process he has been going through since his arrival. “This was Vietnam”graphed regarding the state of the squad at the time he arrived at the millionaire technical direction.
The coach was direct when referring to the media perception of the game. “We played a good game. It seems that River never plays well. They want to convince people that they don’t play well“, he stated. And he argued with numbers: “We kicked the goal 23 timeswe had more than 70% possession against a team that closes behind with nine players. There are several factors, such as the playing fieldbut the intention is there.”
In the analysis of the development, he considered that River was able to resolve the result sooner, which found a winner only 38 minutes into the final stage. “We had many situations to secure the match. They tied us in the only one they had or in three situations,” he explained. However, he highlighted the response of the team he designs: “We went searching patiently, moving the ball, and we arrived in a good way, especially in the second goal.”
Coudet also emphasized the constant adaptation required by the squad and denied favoritism and bitterness. “I always believe that we can improve, but I have to adapt to the players who are there week by week. Here there is no mystery or personal problem with anyone: those who are better off go inside“, he noted. And he added, in relation to the inclusion of youth: “Sometimes you have to take risks.”
In this context, he stressed the importance of public support. “The context is good. I want to thank the people who push us like crazy. We have many young people who have behaved in a great way and people understand it that way,” he said. He also asked for a more internal look at the criticism: “It seems to me that we have to defend ourselves a little more. I accused the blow the other timebut we have to continue,” he alluded to the admission of the depth of the impact of losing against Boca.
In one of the strongest passages of the conference he compared the scenario he found when he took office. “This was Vietnam when we arrived”he graphed, and expanded his view with a reference to the previous cycle: “Marcelo (Gallardo), who is the most successful in the club’s history, had to leave, and who is going to argue with him as a coach? But when the dynamics become negative, many times you can’t find a way around it.” Along these lines, he relativized construction times: “It’s a process. I think what is happening to us is too fast, winning so many games, and we are doing it in the best way.”
In addition, he left a reflection on the demands that River implies. “You have to know this club. Here you must have been applauded (orchestra) San Martín, he must have stood up, and he must also have put you… It happened to me. The demand is maximum. You should never get angry. We have to turn the tables,” he emphasized.
He also referred to Aldosivi, downplaying his offensive production. “There were three plays and they almost scored a goal in all three. But we are not in a bad position. I already looked at it,” he said. And he once again marked the contrast with his team: “We kicked 23 times and made three. I want to highlight the positive message: difficulties arise and we solve them.”
River’s victory against Aldosivi
In a more relaxed tone, he allowed himself a joke when he was asked about players from other clubs, especially due to the bad moment of Franco Mastantuono in Real Madrid: “About Franco: We are waiting for you here with open arms if you want to come.“, he said with a laugh, before clarifying: “We are very far from thinking about the market.”
River achieved the result it needed to regain confidence, but the debate about its operation remains open. Immediately he has a new challenge: on Thursday he will visit Bragantino for the Copa Sudamericana. Coudet closed the press conference with a phrase that marked the trajectory of his administration: “I know where we are going, but I also know where we come from”.
