Gallardo Sets the Tone: “I Don’t Want to Just Compete, I Want to Win”

Following River Plate’s 1-1 draw against Universitario in the final match of Copa Libertadores Group B, head coach Marcelo Gallardo made his intentions for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup crystal clear. “I don’t want to just compete and see what happens — I want to win,” he stated, according to TyC Sports. With River topping the group and heading into the knockout stage unbeaten, Gallardo has now shifted focus to the global stage.

Reflecting on Tuesday night’s performance, Gallardo described River as “a team with two faces” — dominant in the first half, but erratic and imprecise in the second. His concern now turns to how the team will measure up in a demanding tournament that begins June 14 in the United States.

River will compete in Group E against Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds, Mexico’s Monterrey, and Inter, who qualified via FIFA ranking. Gallardo, who faced Barcelona in the 2015 edition, emphasized that this time no team appears untouchable. River’s debut is set for June 17 in Seattle, with subsequent matches in Los Angeles and a return to Lumen Field, where the journey could define his legacy on the global stage.