The Cabezón questioned the decision to separate Rojo, Lema, and Saracchi, and criticized Riquelme and Russo for the team's poor performance
According to reports, the separated players have been training in a different locker room since Wednesday at Boca Predio, a measure that also applies to Chiquito Romero, although the goalkeeper remains with the group due to contractual reasons. In contrast, Rojo, Lema, and Saracchi were directly removed from collective practices.
"The group is full of big personalities. You have to be upfront, be honest. The explosion happens with the big names, the big personalities explode on you. If it had only been Saracchi, we wouldn't even be talking about this," Ruggeri began on ESPN's F90 program, alluding to Rojo's specific influence, one of the leaders singled out by the coaching staff and the Football Council.
Ruggeri went further and suggested that the decision had the direct approval of Juan Román Riquelme: "The order comes from the top. Do you know how this story ends? The team must have five or six players who support Rojo, and the rest end up blaming the coach. You can't fix it anymore! If he wants to go to Estudiantes, let him go. If they'd done this to me, I'd have driven you crazy."
El Cabezón also commented on the scandal involving Miguel Merentiel, who was substituted at halftime during the match against Huracán and reacted with evident frustration. "When you get to the locker room, we stay quiet for a bit, because in the moment you're upset. Then you calm down and talk. But if Merentiel insulted Russo, that locker room is finished. There's a huge mess and everyone does whatever they want," the former defender stated.
Regarding the chain of conflicts, Ruggeri did not hesitate to point to the leadership: "It's right to punish Merentiel, but there are 10 assistants and someone has to notice that Merentiel is going out onto the field. This is clear: Riquelme runs the club, no one is going to get in his way. So, go down and talk: tell Rojo, Lema, and Saracchi to leave. If not, they're going to keep firing coaches."
He concluded with a damning statement about the coach's position: "For me, the players have already targeted Russo after what happened with these guys. This can't be fixed anymore. I'm surprised that from day one Miguel hasn't sat down with Riquelme and told him to let Rojo go."
