Coudet Revitalizes River; Faces New Challenge with Engaging Dialogue and Humor

Eduardo Coudet reached the River Plate bench one month and four days ago. He inherited a squad shaken by Marcelo Gallardo’s exit. The task was to restore form and morale quickly.

Early results and standings

Coudet registered a perfect start in the Apertura. River earned 12 points from 12 possible. The team scored nine goals across four matches.

Santiago Beltrán collected three consecutive clean sheets. River now sits second in its zone and in the annual table. They trail Independiente Rivadavia by three points.

Continental debut and squad news

The Copa Sudamericana opener is away against Blooming in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Kickoff is scheduled for Wednesday at 21:30. Coudet took a 24-player group for the trip.

Gonzalo Montiel returns to the squad. Marcos Acuña and Maxi Salas are absent through suspension. Tobías Ramírez receives his first call-up to the first team.

Rotation and immediate calendar

Rotation choices are pending for the coach. The Copa match precedes a crucial run of fixtures. Next comes the clásico at Racing in Avellaneda on Sunday.

• Wednesday 15: home match against Carabobo.
• Sunday 19: Superclásico at the Monumental versus Boca.

These games will be key for squad management and momentum.

Training approach and tactics

Coudet emphasizes a short, fast team that recovers possession quickly. Practices center on ball work and high intensity. He has prioritized high pressing and compact defensive blocks.

The staff has worked on automated movements to provide width in attack. Formations used include 4-1-3-2, 4-2-3-1, and occasional 4-3-3. The objective is collective order with aggressive offense.

Camp, routines and mentality

During the FIFA break, the coach held a three-day mini camp in Cardales. Sessions were double shifts. Heavy rain in Buenos Aires did not stop on-field work.

After the Bolivia match, the delegation will sleep in Ezeiza to train at River Camp at midday. The plan avoids losing training time.

Player impact and youth promotion

The forward line has shown clear improvement under Coudet. Sebastián Driussi scored twice in the period covered. Facundo Colidio ended a 26-game scoring drought and found the net again.

Maxi Salas also scored after a 19-game gap, despite limited minutes. The coach has given chances to Ian Subiabre and Joaquín Freitas. Juan Cruz Meza returned to the first team and Lautaro Pereyra made his debut.

Leadership style and team spirit

Coudet brings intensity and high demands to training. He combines strong expectations with close, individual talks. He uses humor and light moments to lift the group.

Coudet revitalizes River by mixing tough standards with engaging dialogue and humor. He has publicly asked fans for support as the team resets.

Outlook

The initial mission to stabilize the club shows results. The next tests are continental and domestic classics. Results in those matches will define the early tenure.