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How River Plate Lost Every Left-Footed Star In Just Months

by Callum Foster ⎯ 1 min read ⎯ 2026-07-31
River Plate manager Eduardo Coudet during a match in the Argentine league

River Plate manager Eduardo Coudet during a match in the Argentine league

River Plate has fallen into a worrying slump, suffering three consecutive defeats to start the semester and exposing a glaring tactical flaw in the squad's construction. According to manager Eduardo Coudet, the team is suffering from a severe lack of creative options in the final third following a massive roster overhaul.

Just months ago, the squad boasted six left-footed players capable of operating from midfield forward. That list included Matias Galarza Fonda, Kendry Paez, Santiago Lencina, Ian Subiabre, and Maximiliano Salas, alongside iconic Colombian playmaker Juan Fernando Quintero, who mutually rescinded his contract days ago.

Coudet highlighted the ongoing struggles in his post-match press conference by stating, "The planning is taking us longer than we thought. River is going to bring in many more players, we need three or four in different positions." He further lamented the missing creativity by noting, "We are missing that filtered ball, that goal pass."

With all left-footed attacking options now gone or marginalized, the team faces upcoming fixtures relying entirely on right-footed creators. Defensively and deeper in the formation, only Matias Vina, Marcos Acuna, Lautaro Rivero, and Santiago Beltran remain as left-footed alternatives, compounding the club's current tactical headache.

// Topics
#river_plate #eduardo_coudet #juan_fernando_quintero #argentine_football #primera_division #soccer
Senior Sports Journalist - Football & Tactical Analysis

Callum Foster is a renowned sports journalist with over 20 years of experience in the world of football. A former correspondent in London, Madrid, and Milan, he has covered the biggest sporting events: World Cups, European Championships, Champions League, and domestic leagues. His tactical analysis and on-the-ground reports are valued for their depth and accuracy. Passionate about European and South American football, he brings unique and insightful perspectives to sports news.