River keeps adding figures, but always loses and beats the worst records in its history

River continues its pattern of adding star players yet failing to secure victories, breaking some of the worst records in its history. The Buenos Aires-based football club suffered its fourth consecutive defeat in the Clausura tournament against Tigre, marking another grim milestone. This loss added to a growing list of setbacks, with River unable to score a single goal in this match, another record low in the club's storied history. The team has now gone 29 matches without winning after losing the opening game, a streak that includes 21 losses and eight draws. Since November 6, 2024, when they defeated Instituto 3-2 in Córdoba, River has not managed a win, a period during which they were coached by Marcelo Gallardo. Despite efforts to revitalize the squad through high-profile signings and training sessions aimed at aligning coach Eduardo Coudet’s strategies with his players, River continues to stumble over the same obstacles. Recent additions include left-back Francisco Ortega from Greek club Olympiacos and midfielder Tobías Andrada acquired from Vélez. However, the most expensive signing in club history, Thiago Almada, has yet to arrive in Argentina. The team needed a positive performance in their latest match against Tigre to show improvement compared to previous games, especially following their early elimination from the Copa Argentina. Coudet maintained his preferred tactical setup, a 4-1-3-2 formation featuring goalkeeper Santiago Beltrán, defenders including Gonzalo Montiel, Martínez Quarta, Nicolás Otamendi, and Francisco Ortega, midfielders Aníbal Moreno, Joaquín Freitas, Tobías Andrada, and Tomás Galván, with forwards Angel Correa and Lucas Beltrán up front. Despite being well-positioned defensively, the team struggled to advance the ball effectively. Coudet grew frustrated, shouting instructions to push forward after a lackluster start. Correa, who had returned to the squad, failed to assert dominance on the field. Tigre’s lineup saw limited playing time for Pity Martínez, who was substituted after just two minutes due to injury and replaced by Tiago Serrago. Coach Dabove retained his usual tactics, employing a 4-4-1-1 system with Pity as a central striker and Nacho Russo as the main attacking threat. With Serrago entering the game, Dabove kept the same structure, positioning him on the right wing alongside Santiago López on the left. Midfielder Saralegui remained free in the center while Russo operated as a false nine. The team attempted to maintain defensive order to quickly launch counterattacks, pressing aggressively when losing possession and generating several stoppage-time chances for Beltrán. At the 33-minute mark, controversy erupted when River requested a penalty for a challenge involving Banegas and Correa. The incident sparked debate, as it was unclear whether Correa fell due to contact or was already off-balance before the tackle. Replay footage showed the infringement, but referee Andrés Gariano made the decision.