The Defeat at the Monumental
River Plate suffered a defeat at the Monumental against Rosario Central in the third match of the Clausura 2026, sparking the anger of fans who demand changes in the board and coach Eduardo Coudet.
The tension was palpable from the start of the match. When the stadium announcer read out the players' names, several received loud jeers. Eduardo Coudet also received the ire of the fans, although the criticism directed at the coach was relatively less intense.
A own goal by Nicolás Otamendi set the stands alight, with fans chanting their famous song before it curdled into deafening jeers at the end of the first half.
River Plate had chances to level, but instead, a dangerous counter-attack led by Giovani Cantizano nearly doubled Rosario Central's advantage, which was the spark that set off the stands.
The chants rose from every corner to take in the players and the board, before peaking with a unified cry: "They must all leave". At the final whistle, the jeers were louder than ever.
The Return of "Ramón Díaz"
In the corridors and hallways, a group of fans repeated a striking chant: "Let us all call for Ramón to return", a reference to the historic manager Ramón Díaz, who has been without a club since leaving Brazil's Internacional last year.
Díaz boasts a distinguished record at River Plate across three spells: 1995-1999, 2001-2002, then 2012-2014. He claimed seven domestic titles and two continental ones during that time, most notably the Copa Libertadores in 1996.
Five Consecutive Defeats: The Worst in the Club's History
This defeat was River Plate's fifth in a row in Argentine Football Association competitions, the worst run in their professional-era history. It began with the Apertura final loss to Belgrano, then continued with the Superclásico defeat to arch-rivals Boca Juniors.
Discontent among the Millonarios faithful stretches back to the end of last year, when the team fell short of expectations even with Marcelo Gallardo still at the helm. The start of 2026 brought the sacking of the club's most successful manager, with Eduardo Coudet stepping in, but results kept sliding despite the team reaching the Apertura final.
The Board in the Dock
Anger did not stop at the technical staff and players. It reached the current board, which took charge last November. Fans held them responsible for the slump, slamming "the exorbitant price paid for signings that did not provide the desired addition", along with what they described as "the mistreatment of the container outcasts".
Never before has the new board faced this volume of criticism and hostile chants since arriving at the club, a warning sign of an administrative and technical crisis that could rock the stability of one of the most storied clubs on the Latin continent.
The Current Situation of River Plate
River Plate is in a bad streak in the Clausura 2026, with a defeat in the Monumental against Rosario Central that added to their streak of five consecutive defeats in competitions of the Argentine Football Association. The board and coach Eduardo Coudet face the ire of the fans, who demand changes in the club. The situation is critical and can have important consequences for the future of the club.
The Next Fixture of River Plate
River Plate will face Gimnasia L.P. in their next match of the Clausura 2026, which will be played at the Monumental on August 29. The board and coach Eduardo Coudet will have the opportunity to reverse the bad streak and gain important points in the fight for the title.
The Current Situation of Rosario Central
Rosario Central is in a good streak in the Clausura 2026, with a victory in the Monumental against River Plate that added to their streak of three consecutive victories in the league. The team is in second place in the table, one point behind the leader Lanús. The board and coach face the pressure of maintaining the streak and continuing to fight for the title.
