Since Gallardo arrived at River, the Millonario became synonymous with Copa Libertadores, a tournament that restored the club's greatness on the international stage after several years of frustrations, including that tragic relegation in 2011. Once again, the Muñeco will lead a debut match in the continental tournament, so the question arises: How did he fare in the first match of each cup he managed?
2012
Marcelo Gallardo would retire from professional soccer at Nacional de Montevideo in 2011, and the following year he would take over as DT of the Bolso and play his first Copa Libertadores as a coach. In that edition, the Muñeco's team had a poor start, losing the first match of Group 5 by 2 to 1 against Vasco Da Gama. In the following matches, they couldn't recover and would be eliminated with only 6 points, the result of 2 wins and 4 losses.
El debut de Gallardo como entrenador en Nacional no fue el mejor
2015
Three years had to pass until the Muñeco would again lead a debut match in Copa Libertadores, and this time he would do it with the club of his loves, River. The Millonario's return to the competition after 5 years of absence was not the best, as they would lose 2-0 at the altitude of Oruro against San José. Although later it would be difficult to pass Group 6, qualifying second to the round of 16 in an agonizing manner, River would end up being champion, adding their third continental conquest.
La primera Libertadores con River tampoco arrancaría de la mejor manera
2016
Already as the reigning champion, River would show why they were the best team in America, thrashing in the first duel of Group 1 against Trujillanos by 4 to 0. Despite finishing first with only one loss against the runner-up São Paulo, the Millonario would be eliminated in the round of 16 against the surprising Independiente del Valle, who would later defeat Boca in the semis and lose the final against Atlético Nacional of Franco Armani and Miguel Borja.
En el primer partido de la copa, River destruyó a Trujillanos
2017
After the stumble of the previous edition, in 2017 River would have an ideal Libertadores start. In their debut match for Group 3, the Muñeco's team would win 3 to 1 away against Independiente Medellín. The Millonario would finish first in their group with 13 points, the result of 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. Their participation in that cup would reach the semifinals, where they would be controversially eliminated against Lanús, who would later lose the final against Gremio of Porto Alegre.
A pesar de la lluvia, River lograría una gran victoria de visitante
2018
The most important Libertadores of recent years for River would start with a solid 2 to 2 draw away against Flamengo. In that Group D, they would finish first undefeated, with 3 wins and 3 draws. After eliminating other big teams from the continent, like Independiente, Racing, and Gremio, the reigning champion, in the final they would face none other than Boca. In the first leg, River would achieve a 2 to 2 draw, while in the return leg, which had to be played in Madrid due to incidents before the decisive match, it would end with the now mythical 3 to 1 in extra time, crowning River with their fourth, and so far last, Copa Libertadores.
River rescataría un empate en Brasil
2019
Despite the great cup of the previous year, River had problems in the group stage of 2019. In the first match of Group A, they would rescue a 1 to 1 draw away at the last minute against Alianza Lima, marking an irregular trend that would be replicated throughout the first phase, sealing their qualification in second place on the last date. Despite this difficult start, the Núñez team would reach the final again (for the first time in a single match), but this time they would lose to Flamengo 2 to 1, with a double from Gabigol at the end of the match.
Ferreira pondría el empate en el agregado
2020
In the edition marked by Covid-19, River had the worst start since Gallardo is coach. At the altitude of Quito, the Millonario would lose 3 to 0 to Liga in the first date of Group D. Although later they would pass first without major setbacks, the Muñeco's team couldn't replicate the previous two editions, staying in the semifinals against Palmeiras, who would later be champion.
La altura le jugó en contra frente a Liga de Quito
2021
With the pandemic on the way to being overcome, River would draw 1 to 1 in the debut away against Fluminense. Group D was very contested until the last match, especially due to Covid casualties, but the Argentine club managed to qualify second to the quarterfinals, where they would be eliminated by Atlético Mineiro.
Con gol de Montiel de penal, River rescataría un empate en Brasil
2022
The last Libertadores that the Muñeco managed completely had the best start of his career. This edition would start with 1 to 0 against Alianza Lima away, however, the best was yet to come, as they would end up dominating Group F from start to finish, with 5 wins, including a historic 8 to 0 against Alianza (with a double hat-trick from Julián Álvarez), and only one draw. Beyond the momentum, River couldn't get past the round of 16, being eliminated by Vélez.
Matías Suarez fue el autor del único gol del partido
