Eduardo Coudet delivered a passionate defense of his River Plate side following their 3-1 victory over Aldosivi in the Torneo Apertura on April 25, 2026, pushing back against media criticism with blunt remarks that captured the tension surrounding his tenure at the Monumental.
The Argentine coach, known as “El Chacho,” entered the post-match press conference visibly frustrated by what he perceived as unfair scrutiny of his team’s performance despite securing the win. His comments quickly became the focal point of coverage across Argentine sports media.
“I walked into the press room, saw the TV, and it said ‘River didn’t impress.’ Damn it!” Coudet exclaimed, according to reports from the match at Estadio Monumental. “We made a decent game. It seems River never plays well. They want to convince people that we don’t play well.”
Coudet backed his assessment with specific match statistics, emphasizing River’s dominance in possession and attacking output against a defensively organized Aldosivi side. “We took 23 shots on goal, had over 70% possession against a team that parked nine players behind the ball. There are several factors, like the pitch condition, but the intention is there.”
The coach acknowledged that River could have sealed the victory earlier, noting they created multiple chances before finally breaking through late in the second half. “We had many situations to secure the match. They scored on their only chance—or in three situations,” he explained, referring to Aldosivi’s goal and River’s missed opportunities.
Despite the late winner coming in the 38th minute of the second half, Coudet praised his team’s perseverance and tactical discipline. “We went looking for it with patience, moving the ball, and arrived well, especially on the second goal.”
One of Coudet’s most quoted remarks drew a stark comparison to describe the state of the squad when he arrived: “This was Vietnam,” he said, using the metaphor to convey the challenges he inherited upon taking over as head coach. The phrase underscored his belief that significant rebuilding work had been necessary.
He too addressed the emotional atmosphere at the stadium, thanking supporters for their unwavering backing despite recent disappointments, including the Superclásico loss to Boca Juniors earlier in the season. “I thank the people for coming like crazy. We have many young players who have behaved well, they push us.”
Coudet rejected notions of favoritism or internal divisions within the squad, stressing that adaptation and collective effort remain central to his project. “There is constant adaptation required by the squad. I deny favoritism and grudges.”
The victory over Aldosivi marked River’s first win since their Superclásico defeat, providing a crucial rebound in the Torneo Apertura standings. Whereas the performance did not dazzle, Coudet insisted the result reflected the team’s growing cohesion and competitive spirit under his leadership.
Looking ahead, River Plate will aim to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures as they continue to navigate a demanding season across multiple competitions. For now, Coudet’s message remains clear: despite external noise, he sees progress in the process he has undertaken since arriving at the club.
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