Gallardo After Monterrey Draw: “I’m Happy With the Team’s Performance”

As reported by DirecTV Sports, following River Plate’s goalless draw with Monterrey in their second Club World Cup group-stage match, head coach Marcelo Gallardo praised his team's performance despite not securing the win.

“We could have won it—we created chances. Monterrey had their moments in the first 15 or 20 minutes, but after that, we took control. It’s a shame we didn’t score, but I’m happy with how the team played,” Gallardo said post-match.

He emphasized the tactical balance of the contest: “Both teams studied each other well. We started strong in the first half, then settled in. In the second half, we improved—we had better positioning and control.”

Looking ahead to the decisive match against Inter Milan, River will face significant absences. Kevin Castaño was sent off, while Enzo Pérez and Giuliano Galoppo will miss the game due to yellow card accumulation. With Urawa Red Diamonds already eliminated, the two knockout stage spots remain in the balance.

“These tournaments demand a lot physically. Losing players is part of it. We’ll see how we reorganize for the next match,” Gallardo concluded.