River Plate Fans React to Cup Final Loss at El Monumental

The atmosphere at El Monumental was charged as River Plate fans made their feelings known following the team’s recent loss to Belgrano in the Apertura Tournament final. The first home match since that disappointing defeat, a Copa Sudamericana fixture against Blooming, provided an immediate platform for supporters to express their verdict on the squad’s performance.

Player Reactions During Warm-up

During the pre-match warm-up, as the starting lineup was announced by the stadium announcer for the match against the Bolivian side, a mixed reaction of boos and applause filled the air. Notably, two players bore the brunt of the crowd’s frustration: Fabricio Bustos and Lautaro Rivero. Bustos was singled out for his perceived poor performance in the final against Belgrano in Córdoba. Rivero, meanwhile, faced criticism for conceding a contentious penalty that led to one of Belgrano’s crucial goals in the final.

Further Discontent

The discontent extended to other players. Maximiliano Salas, who came in for the injured Facundo Colidio, also received some disapproval. While Salas did not perform poorly in his limited minutes against Belgrano, fans have reportedly been unhappy with his overall performances during the semester.

Among the substitutes, Giuliano Galoppo and Kevin Castaño were also met with audible whistles. Galoppo’s perceived lack of urgency in recent penalty shootouts, and Castaño’s high transfer fee, appear to weigh on the supporters’ expectations. Germán Pezzella, who has struggled to replicate his World Cup-winning form, and Kendry Páez were also subjects of fan displeasure.

Positive Applauses

However, the reception was not entirely negative. The goalkeepers, Santiago Beltrán and Franco Armani, received warm applause. Armani, a club idol, and Beltrán, for his current strong form, were acknowledged positively by the fanbase. Tomás Galván, who contributed a goal and an assist in the Apertura final, was also welcomed back warmly. Fausto Vera and Joaquín Freitas also garnered positive reactions from the stands.

The young player Ian Subiabre, however, did not escape the fans’ scrutiny.

Coach’s Reception

The head coach, Chacho Coudet, received a more subdued reaction, with tentative applause mixed with some audible whistles from the crowd.

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| Aspect | Detail |
|—|—|
| Event | River Plate’s first home match after losing the Apertura final to Belgrano. |
| Fan Reaction | Mixed: boos for some players, applause for others. |
| Key Players Criticized | Fabricio Bustos, Lautaro Rivero, Maximiliano Salas, Giuliano Galoppo, Kevin Castaño, Germán Pezzella, Kendry Páez. |
| Key Players Applauded | Santiago Beltrán, Franco Armani, Tomás Galván, Fausto Vera, Joaquín Freitas. |

This event highlights the passionate and vocal nature of River Plate’s fanbase. Their strong reactions, both positive and negative, underscore the high expectations placed upon the team, especially after a significant final loss. For followers of Argentine football, this display reflects the intense scrutiny players and coaches face in the cutthroat environment of top-tier club competitions.

Fuente: Clarin Deportes, https://www.clarin.com/deportes/hinchas-river-dieron-veredicto-monumental-aplausos-silbidos-final-perdida-vs-belgrano_0_YD6BTlLZIV.html

Datos clave