River Plate is gearing up to kick off their campaign in the Club World Cup. The Millonario recently held another training session in Seattle, focused on their upcoming debut against the Urawa Red Diamonds. Coach Marcelo Gallardo is finalizing the lineup that will take the field on Tuesday at 4 PM (Argentina time) at the Lumen Field.
Meanwhile, Genki Haraguchi, a midfielder for the Japanese team, has surprisingly claimed that he has the secret to defeating River Plate. “If we take advantage of the gaps they leave in defense, I think we have a chance,” he stated.
“They are an offensive team, a club that thinks about attacking with a 7 against 3 formation. Generally, the level of each player is very high. Their defense and goalkeepers mostly comprise players from the Argentine national team,” he added.
He did not hold back in praising the talent of Franco Mastantuono and the rest of the team, saying: “There’s a 17-year-old talent in their squad, and they have players who attack with great aggression, so I believe it will be a difficult opponent to defend against.”
However, he expressed optimism about the upcoming match that will mark the beginning for both teams in this global competition: “I think they are a team that leaves holes in defense. If we defend well as always and seize those gaps, I believe we have a chance.”
Considered one of the most prominent and popular clubs in Japan, Urawa Red Diamonds boasts a rich tradition in J-League and Asian football. Their last title was the AFC Champions League 2022, which secured their spot in this edition of the Club World Cup.
The Japanese squad was among the first to arrive in the United States, a clear strategy to minimize the impact of jet lag and acclimatize to the temperatures, ensuring they present themselves in optimal condition.
The Preparation of River Plate
The first part of River’s practice consisted of physical exercises. Subsequently, the team engaged in ball drills, while players Santiago Simón and Agustín Ruberto trained separately. The rest of the squad completed the session without any issues.
Although the starting formation has not been officially confirmed, it is expected that the manager will opt for a structure similar to what was previously used in recent matches of both the Argentine Apertura Tournament and the group stage of the Libertadores Cup. The likely lineup includes Franco Armani in goal; a defense featuring Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Paulo Díaz, and Marcos Acuña; a midfield including Ignacio Fernández, Enzo Pérez, and Kevin Castaño; and an attacking trio made up of Franco Mastantuono, Sebastián Driussi, and Facundo Colidio.
The atmosphere in Seattle is beginning to reflect the colors of River Plate, as thousands of fans have traveled from various parts of the world to support the team. Estimates suggest that nearly ten thousand fans will be present in the stadium for the debut of the Millonario. Supporters have already started making their presence known in the city’s streets and at the hotel hosting the delegation.