Martín Demichelis
experienced the Superclásico against
Boca
in a special way.
The Córdoba coach opted for secrecy and until the last moment tried not to show his cards.
He even asked the players not to use cell phones in the locker room.
And Micho
surprised
with an extreme offensive scheme: 4-1-3-2, with
Rodrigo Villagra
as the only holding midfielder.
But the idea did not come to fruition and
River
could not take the rival ahead, as was the intention.
In addition, the DT was left in debt with the modifications in the complement.
“The feeling is bitterness for not being able to close the game.
We don't go out to tie in the classics.
We didn't take advantage of what we had;
So, we don't leave happy, but we do leave calm.
River there deserved a little more,” said Demichelis.
And he clarified: “I didn't change too much: many of the dates we played 4-3-1-2.
.
Yes, we played with a very offensive team.
That's why we chose Rodrigo Villagra, who is slowly getting better.
He had a great first half.
He is the one who has the most ability to play there and provide balance.
Then he got tired and asked for a change.”
Micho
also
had time to leave a chicane thrown into the visiting locker room.
“I'm going to get little involved in the analysis of the rival.
I know Diego Martínez, he is a coach that I appreciate and who will end up giving an identity to the team;
He is in that search.
But if I, as River coach, finished the game with seven defenders, I would surely not be respecting the history of the club
,” he said.
🗣️ "IF I, AS RIVER COACH, FINISH THE MATCH WITH 7 DEFENDERS, I'M SURELY NOT RESPECTING THE HISTORY OF THE CLUB"
✍️ Martín Demichelis pic.twitter.com/RW7Wku0pOC
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) February 25, 2024
Demichelis took risks, it must be said
.
He sent Villagra to the field, who had only played 30 minutes in River.
Much more: he left him alone in the center of the playing field because Nacho Fernández, Claudio Echeverri and Esequiel Barco moved ahead of him.
What was assumed ended up happening: the local team had a hard time recovering the ball when the midfielders of the team led by Diego Martínez began to put together passes.
To prevail from the scheme, River had to play in the rival field and maintain high possession.
He achieved it in the first minutes of the initial stage and in some brief passages of the complement.
Another issue that happened with Demichelis' bold drawing is that both Nacho and Barco left their natural places.
The left-handed player plays better when he starts lying down from the right and the former Independiente does the same from the other sector.
They were too far from the goal defended by Chiquito Romero and Barco, very attentive to Luis Advíncula's climbs.
The modifications were controversial.
The replacement of the cautioned Herrera was not bad, but perhaps it was hasty.
The incorporation of Rodrigo Aliendro was necessary because River already lacked legs in the middle.
Yes, the coach should have left the 4-1-3-2 to plant a 4-4-2.
The inexplicable thing was the entry of Miguel Borja: in the first run it was noticed that he was injured.
“Herrera made a lot of wear and tear and also had yellow.
The rival had little influence and unfortunately they tied us with an isolated play in that sector,” he analyzed.
And he clarified: “Villagra asked for the change and Echeverri was dizzy and also a little tired.”
Another Superclásico happened for Demichelis and his team stayed with good intentions.
Thus, he could not join the select group of millionaire coaches who achieved 3 consecutive victories against Boca (José María Minella, Héctor Veira and Juan Urriolabeitia).
But he played 3 times and never lost.