Leonardo Ponzio Starts River Plate Coaching Spell With Two Wins, but Says It Is Only the Beginning

Leonardo Ponzio’s first two matches as River Plate coach have produced two wins, but the former club captain insists the early perfect record belongs to a larger effort rather than to him alone.

River followed its 3-2 away victory over Banfield with a 3-1 win against Independiente Rivadavia, one of the leaders of the overall table. The six points helped pull the team out of a difficult period that included elimination from the Copa Libertadores by Independiente Santa Fe and the departure of Eduardo Coudet.

Ponzio received a hero’s welcome at the Monumental in his new role. A banner behind one goal read, “Thank you for everything, my captain,” and the stadium crowd gave him a strong ovation when the lineups were announced. River, however, needed the points more than a tribute. The team collected both victories despite stretches of uneven play and began showing some of Ponzio’s tactical preferences, including moving Thiago Almada from the left into a central position behind Sebastián Driussi and closer to Ángel Correa.

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It would be very selfish to believe that everything is part of me: this began at the start of the year, when the team was built. Winning consecutively gives confidence, but this has only just begun.

“I had not been able to be inside the Monumental for a match in a long time. I am happy because you wait for that home debut and to feel the 90,000 people. It would be very selfish to believe that everything is part of me: this began at the start of the year, when the team was built. Winning consecutively gives confidence, but this has only just begun,” Ponzio said.

He described the performance as good against an opponent that played directly and frequently filled the penalty area with crosses. Ponzio said River looked strongest when it combined, slowed the game and defended collectively. He added that the team had the players to make a difference, but still needed to search for more fluent football. Ponzio took the job on an interim basis and could remain in 2027 if results support his continuation.

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The performance was good. We played against a team with a fairly direct style that fills the area with crosses. The good things appear when we combine, when we try, when we have patience and when the players at the back support those in front.