River Plate Prepares for FIFA Club World Cup
River Plate’s head coach, Marcelo Gallardo, is instilling a competitive spirit in his squad as they gear up for their upcoming appearance in the FIFA Club World Cup, set to kick off in the United States on June 14. Following a recent 1-1 stalemate against Universitario de Perú in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, Gallardo expressed a determined mindset, focusing not just on participating but on securing victory in the prestigious tournament.
Comments from Coach Gallardo
At a press conference after the Libertadores match at the Estadio Mâs Monumental, Gallardo evaluated the team’s prospects in Group E, which includes Urawa Red Diamonds, Monterrey, and Inter de Milán, last season’s UEFA Champions League finalist. He stated:
“Our aim is to gauge our abilities against strong opponents, and I view this challenge as an opportunity to showcase our potential. The outcome will largely depend on our preparation and teamwork.”
Emphasizing his commitment to winning, Gallardo remarked that the term “compete” felt overused and rather vague. He shared his philosophy on competition, stating:
“I don’t prefer the term ‘compete’ because it suggests a mere attempt, while I aim to prepare to win. I don’t want to participate just to see what happens; I seek victory.”
Upcoming Matches and Strategy
In the lead-up to the World Cup, River Plate solidified their position at the top of their group in the ongoing Libertadores tournament. After their upcoming match against San Martín de Tucumán in the Copa Argentina, they will shift focus to the Club World Cup.
Gallardo reminisced about his previous participation in this event’s earlier format, recalling a challenging encounter with one of the greatest Barcelona teams in history. He underscored his natural inclination towards competition, emphasizing:
“I’m a born competitor; I thrive on measuring myself against the best to aspire for success.”
Match Schedule
Looking ahead, River Plate will face a challenging schedule in the FIFA Club World Cup, with matches lined up against:
- Urawa Red Diamonds on June 17 at Lumen Field, Seattle.
- CF Monterrey on June 21 at the Rose Bowl, Los Angeles.
- Inter de Milán on June 25 at Lumen Field, Seattle.
