The former central defender of the Millionaire referred to the rumors about the alleged conflict between the midfielder and the coach, and his role in the situation. He also talked about the team's current state and compared Chacho Coudet with Marcelo Gallardo.
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If there is someone who has been a reference in the locker room ofRiver in recent years, whether as a player or as an assistant, it was Javier Pinola. The current assistant to the German legend Miroslav Klose at FC Nürnberg in Bundesliga 2 has always tried to be one of the voices that brings calm and understanding within the team, and he recently made that clear again.
In an interview for the F90 program on ESPN, Pelado was asked about various topics, including the alleged internal issues that occurred behind the scenes during his time on the millionaire bench alongside Martín Demichelis, such as the conflict with Enzo Pérez amid a second half of 2023 filled with several sporting frustrations that ultimately led to his departure to Estudiantes de La Plata in early 2024.
During that time, the former defender clarified that whenever there was any dissatisfaction, he sought dialogue between both parties: "What I had to say to Martín, I said it; what I had to say to the players, I said it. I always maintained the same stance. I tried to make sure that if there was something, they would come together and discuss it, and then they ended up talking it out and clarifying things".
Enzo Pérez and Demichelis would have talked things over.
On the other hand, he also acknowledged that he never asked the former Millionaire midfielder about the situation: "I still talk to Enzo, and I have never asked him if something happened, what they talked about, what they clarified. I don't get involved in those things". He also commented that the episode in general was complicated: "It's difficult because a lot was said, and I told the guys: 'clear it up, talk it out'. Because in the end, it's the path for all of us".
The current state of River
Putting the past aside, in another part of the conversation, Pinola referred to the turbulent present that the Núñez club is going through under Eduardo Coudet's management, and he was emphatic: "River is not just about winning; you have to play well. Obviously, when things aren't going well, you have to win, but the fans will demand that you play well; that's River".
Beyond this harsh diagnosis, he avoided making criticisms and clarified that he believes the current situation can be reversed: "I have no doubt that he will achieve it. Everyone needs to grow and believe in themselves a little more, after all, they are at River, and no one has given them anything to be there".
"I have seen some matches; he had good ideas, good movements. Obviously, it's not easy to apply it in the middle of the championship. (Chacho) tried to implement many things, but it takes time, and while you are competing, it's not that easy", he added.
The similarities and differences between Gallardo and Coudet
Referring to Chacho, whom he had as a coach at Rosario Central, the former River player compared his profile to another he knows well: Marcelo Gallardo. "I had Cacho, and he was just like Marcelo (Gallardo). We go on the attack and with intensity", he commented, adding: "They are guys who think about attacking".
Pinola compared Gallardo to Coudet.
On the other hand, he also made it clear how they differ: "Marcelo is more serious, but because of his character. When he had to joke, he joked, and we had a good time". "Cacho is more about jokes, but the player knows that when it was time to work, it was seriousness again", he concluded.
