In a recent match in La Paternal, River Plate’s coach Marcelo Gallardo and players Gonzalo Montiel and Juan Fernando Quintero displayed evident frustration after the team suffered their second consecutive defeat in the tournament. The mood within the team was tense, reflecting the difficulties they have faced this season. Their loss, which came on the heels of a 1-4 defeat against Matador, has raised alarms about the squad's performance and psychological state.

Gallardo had been emphasizing the importance of maintaining the energy levels seen in the team’s earlier successes this season, which included a solid start marked by a series of clean sheets. However, recent performances have deviated from this positive trajectory, contributing to a growing concern among players and staff alike. The team had aimed to recapture the form that initially set the tone for their Apertura campaign but has instead seen a decline in both morale and results.

The implications of this slump extend beyond mere statistics, as the team’s psyche is now in question. With specters of past disappointing seasons haunting them, the pressure is mounting on the coaching staff and key players to reverse their fortunes swiftly. The growing unrest expressed by Montiel, Quintero, and Gallardo indicates that if performance does not improve, the team could face a more significant crisis going forward.