Gallardo’s Exit Shocks the Monumental

The moment Pablo Echavarría blew the final whistle and sealed Deportivo Riestra’s historic 2-1 victory at the Monumental, Marcelo Gallardo delivered a surprising reaction: he didn’t wait for his players, didn’t face the supporters, and walked straight into the locker room.

Official TV cameras missed the moment, but fans’ cell phones from the stands captured it clearly: Gallardo turned around and disappeared into the tunnel while the entire stadium erupted in whistles and chants against the team.

It was a gesture that surprised everyone, as “El Muñeco” had always been the shield during tough times. This time, he chose to walk away.

Gallardo’s Worst Run Since Taking Over

The loss to Riestra wasn’t just another defeat—it marked a breaking point. With this result, River suffered four consecutive losses, the worst streak since Gallardo took charge in 2014.

The streak in numbers:

• Talleres 2-0 River (Córdoba).
• River 1-3 Huracán (Monumental).
• Argentinos 1-0 River (La Paternal).
• River 1-2 Riestra (Monumental).

Across those four games:

• 12 goals conceded.
• Only 3 goals scored.
• Zero points earned.

Never before in the Gallardo era had the team endured such a collapse.

A Hostile Monumental Turns on Its Own

The harshest chants returned to Núñez for the first time in years. The most brutal songs — usually reserved for moments of crisis — echoed through the stands.

In that heated atmosphere, the absence of the coach on the field after the final whistle was glaring. Gallardo didn’t stay to face the music as he had in previous storms.

Brazilian Nightmare in the Libertadores

Beyond local competitions, Gallardo’s biggest headache has a clear source: Brazilian clubs in the Copa Libertadores.

River has been knocked out five straight times by Brazilian teams:

• 2019: Lost the final to Flamengo (2-1 in Lima).
• 2020: Eliminated by Palmeiras in the semifinals.
• 2021: Knocked out by Atlético Mineiro in the quarterfinals.
• 2023: Fell against Internacional de Porto Alegre.
• 2024: Another elimination to Palmeiras, 5-2, deepening the wound.

In their last 10 knockout ties against Brazilian opponents, River has managed just one win. The green-and-yellow dominance is absolute.

The Painful Comparison: Boca Succeeded Where River Failed

The comparison is inevitable. While River kept crashing out, Boca Juniors knocked out Palmeiras in 2023.

It happened in the semifinals in São Paulo.
After a 1-1 aggregate draw, Boca won 4-2 on penalties at the Allianz Parque, earning a place in the Libertadores final against Fluminense at the Maracanã.

The myth that “no Argentine team has eliminated Verdao since 2001” was broken—and by their eternal rival.

Gallardo’s Shattered Mirror

Gallardo became River’s most successful coach ever, with 14 titles and eternal glory from the 2018 Madrid final against Boca. But today, he faces deep cracks in his legacy:

• The worst domestic streak of his tenure.
• Five straight Libertadores eliminations against Brazilian clubs.
• A furious Monumental crowd that’s running out of patience.

“El Muñeco,” once seemingly untouchable, is now showing vulnerabilities. The tension in Núñez is palpable.

End of an Era or Just a Rough Patch?

The question lingers: is this the beginning of the end for the Gallardo era, or just another storm he’ll overcome?

What’s clear is that River has lost its signature playing identity. And this time, the coach who once shielded his team chose to slam the door instead.