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.
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.
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.
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.
2018
