BTN News: River Plate experienced a moment of respite on Friday during one of their final training sessions before Sunday’s pivotal match against Sarmiento, scheduled for 6:30 PM. While the primary goal for the season remains the Copa Libertadores clash against Talleres, the upcoming fixture in the eighth round of the Professional League has become a critical juncture for head coach Martín Demichelis. The iconic Monumental stadium is set to become a cauldron of judgment, with 85,000 fans potentially deciding the fate of their beleaguered manager. With less than a week to the return of official activities, the team and coaching staff sought to foster unity and calm amid growing tensions by sharing their traditional Friday barbecue at River Camp. The big question remains: Can they navigate the stormy weekend successfully?
After the training at River Camp, Demichelis held a second meeting with the technical secretaries, echoing the need for solidarity. Despite a recent loss to Godoy Cruz, the coach remains steadfast in his resolve not to resign, hoping to change the narrative that the majority of the board sees as finished. His position has been significantly weakened, with little support from the board but strong backing from Matías Patanian, the club’s influential first vice president.
Patanian, who has been in Spain on personal and professional matters, is set to return and was absent from recent meetings with the coach. Similarly, club president Jorge Brito is also returning from Europe and faces a dilemma as the board increasingly views Demichelis’ tenure as nearing its end. A crucial meeting between Brito and Patanian is expected on Saturday to decide the next steps. An early departure for Demichelis before the Sarmiento match cannot be ruled out, as his future hangs by a thread.
Demichelis, true to his routine, arrived at the training ground early. The players were called for practice at 9:30 AM, but no clear decisions on Sunday’s lineup were shared. The session included gym work and light training for the starters against Godoy Cruz, while others engaged in reduced-field games. With Facundo Colidio sidelined due to a knee injury, Manuel Lanzini or Ignacio Fernández might step in, with only minor adjustments expected to the lineup from the last two games. Post-training, the squad had lunch together, joined by technical secretaries Enzo Francescoli, Leonardo Ponzio, and board member Eduardo Barrionuevo, who regularly supports the team.
Thursday’s practice following the loss saw Francescoli and Ponzio meeting with Demichelis at the Monumental to ease tensions, review the team’s form, and discuss transfer plans. The meeting was described as supportive and professional. Earlier that day, Demichelis addressed his coaching staff and players, expressing his determination to turn around the team’s fortunes.
The situation for Demichelis is delicate: a win could offer some breathing space, but a draw or loss could trigger an early termination of his contract, which runs until December 2025, aligning with Brito’s term. Many board members believe that if the public hostility becomes irreversible, Demichelis might choose to step down, avoiding the political and financial costs of a dismissal – something not seen at River since Daniel Passarella fired Matías Almeyda in 2012.
Amid a desire to honor contracts and following Francescoli and Ponzio’s backing for a daily assessment of Demichelis’ tenure, the leadership is internally debating future actions. The fans’ frustration with Demichelis has already spilled over to the players, with chants against them in Mendoza. The Monumental is expected to be similarly hostile towards the directors if results don’t improve. With patience running thin, every game is now a test for Demichelis, who must deliver a significant turnaround to restore faith in his leadership and stabilize a team that appears insecure, fragile, and disoriented. He finds himself against the ropes, facing a decisive weekend.
