Pellegrino: Gallardo & River's Impact on Messi Cup Win

Martin Pellegrino, DT del River champion of the Messi Cup ante Atlético de Madrid spoke exclusively with SportsCenter where he highlighted Marcelo Gallardo, the club’s training work and the process it has been supporting for more than a decade.

“We are very happy. This started 14 or 15 years ago, with Marcelo Gallardo, when the youth project was put together. Together with Gabriel Rodríguez we began a task in which River’s youth divisions became hierarchical.. Along this path we were able to contribute players to the Argentine National Team such as Julián Álvarez, Enzo Fernández and, more recently, Franco Mastantuono. We could name many more, but this is a process that does not start today: River has a sustained job and a very strong identity, it is a family“, highlighted the coach of the lower teams.

Along the same lines, the coach stressed the importance of taking the club’s youth players to the top. “Being able to put River’s youth teams at their best makes us very happy and very proud.”.

Furthermore, Pellegrino stressed that the objective did not depend on the result. “Beyond the joy of the championship, We came to show our game and our methodology, what this institution requires and represents. River’s motto is ‘live and play with greatness’ and that is what we wanted to convey to everyone, both the rivals and those who saw us. Always thinking about the opponent’s goal, defending good play, and that leaves us very satisfied.”.

Finally, he referred to the distance between families and the support of the coaching staff towards the footballers. “Luckily, several parents were able to travel and were supporting us, something we are very grateful for. We brought a complete team with a doctor, physical trainer, kinesiologist and a support group. We were in permanent contact to shelter and protect the children in the different situations that arise. They are teenagers, they are 15 years old, and they need a lot of support, love and affection.”.