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Ponzio Wins Twice as River Plate Seeks Consistency

The interim coach’s calm, day‑to‑day approach must prove durable when River visits Atlético Tucumán on Saturday.

Overview

  • Leonardo Ponzio took over as interim coach after Eduardo Coudet left and has won his first two matches, the latest a 3-1 home victory over Independiente Rivadavia on Monday.
  • Ponzio has stressed daily work and responsibility in the squad and publicly said he has not asked the club to sign any new players.
  • Tomás Galván scored twice in the Monumental win and said Ponzio opened his tenure with a calming, corrective team talk that helped restore confidence.
  • River’s directors are separately evaluating a central defender, with Francisco Álvarez of Argentinos Juniors reported as the main target, but that transfer remains unconfirmed.
  • Saturday’s away game at Atlético Tucumán is framed as the immediate test of whether Ponzio’s early uplift and tactical adjustments can hold over a longer run.