The river is completely stunned. The millionaire team has been sailing in unstable waters for a long time, its driver (Marcelo Gallardo) does not provide reliable answers, and on the field, the players fail all tests. This Sunday, in La Bombonera, on the fifteenth date of the local championship, Pucca gave him an emotional blow Against River, beating them 2-0 (the success could have been greater). In this desolate context, it was Colombian Juanfer Quintero, captain Franco Armani, and defender Lucas Martinez Quarta who approached the microphones to express themselves. The coach did not express himself, nor did he express himself after the defeat against Gimnasia at the Monumental Stadium, on the last date.
“It is a very difficult moment, it is not a secret. For our part, we want to apologize to people. We are aware of that. This has never happened to us.” Sometimes we have to realize where we are. “We are taking charge,” Al-Engansh said. He continued: “I am not the owner of the truth, I am speaking for myself. The game has always been a collective one. We have to look at what we are doing, what mistakes we are making, and why we are not up to the task (…) No one wants to lose a classic: we’ve hit rock bottom. In my case, I raise my head because we are aware of the situation. We have one more game left, we have a chance with the Phillies (at the deadline).”
Assuming the weight of his character, Quintero, who entered the second half to try to reflect River’s creative orphan, continued: “It’s good, when these situations happen, to know who brings out the hierarchy, the rebellion.”
In addition, he had a confrontation with a journalist who asked him if they supported the coach and that it did not appear on the pitch that they “risked their skin” or that they “gave everything.” “And I defend my teammates, this club. We don’t feed junk (…) There is disease. No one here questions tech support. My work was bad, average, or good, but… I would never make a coach’s bed. There is no need to add carbon to something that has nothing to do with it. “And when we become champions, don’t say anything.”
Quintero, upset by the journalist’s words, responded by saying what his boss would think if he saw his work, to which the reporter commented: “I think he would be happy that I turn everything in every day.” “It seems to me that you are not a professional.. Sorry, everyone has his own opinion and respects others, but no one questions him as a human being. You have to have a little respect. There is morbidity. No one doubts that. The Colombian addressed the journalist, saying: “I never disrespected you.”
“I am defending a great shield, I have made history here and no one wants to lose a classic match. We are aware, we have to do self-criticism and see what mistakes we are making. It is a very difficult series and not at the level of River. I have never experienced it at this club. We are taking responsibility. We apologize to the fan”, described the number 10, one of the historical figures “in Madrid”.
Martínez Quarta had no doubts and was very critical of himself: “The reading I make is that it was bad. We were not up to this game.”We have to raise our hands and be responsible. Unfortunately, we are stuck in a hole from which we cannot get out. But we are here to show our faces and ask people for forgiveness. We are more than indebted, and we realize that.”
Armanithat in addition to the rebound play that ended with the first goal, which was Exequiel Zeballos’ goal, Preserved river And other dangerous acts. After the match, he said: “It’s a difficult moment, a difficult moment… and even more so with today’s defeat. Obviously we have a responsibility. We are the ones who go out to play, we are the ones who go out on the field, those who make decisions and take responsibilities. To continue, to continue… we have to keep our heads up. The only thing that comes out of that is work, putting in the effort every day.”
Before leaving La Bombonera, the former national team goalkeeper heard from a journalist whether this painful moment for River was sporting or psychological. He said: “I am referring to today’s match. An even first half until their first goal when it ended. Lack of interest on our part. At the beginning of the second half they turned us over. Then they started handling the ball. We had no control. Every time we caught it we lost it very quickly.”. The first goal is not to pay attention The first half is already over, but it’s things that serve us well. You have to learn from these things. “It’s all hard.”
Did referee Nicolas Ramirez influence? Armani replied: “You never hear me talk about the referee. I think he had little influence on the result of the match, that’s the reality. But he didn’t influence the result at all. It’s time for us to be together. We have to keep going, to keep our heads up. As captain of the team and like all leaders, we have to lift the team. This is the only thing left.”
Regarding the difficulties of qualifying for the 2026 Copa Libertadores, he said: “We have to fight and continue for what lies ahead of us.We have to recover quickly. There are parties and this continues. We have to be ready for the finals and for the demands that River makes. Football has negative lines. It’s football. This hurts us a lot, and I know it hurts the fans too. What I can tell you is that it comes with humility, with sacrifice, and with looking forward, you have to rise up. Football gives revenge day after day. At the end of the week we have to play against the Phillies. “Once and for all we have to get out of this situation and add three.”
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