On the 16th local time, the official press conference for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group Stage MD1 Trial was held at Lumen Field (Seattle). Marcelo Gallardo, head coach of CA River Plate (Argentina), attended and spoke about his enthusiasm for Trial.

[Director Marcelo Gallardo]
(How did you feel about coming to this venue? It's the most remote possible location for the Club World Cup, and the other Argentine club, Boca, is in Miami. It must have been quite a journey for the supporters.)
"The draw was not in our favour in this respect. Not only was it a long distance, but it also meant a huge financial burden for the supporters who wanted to travel and support their team."

(How do you think you will be at the Club World Cup? It has been 20 days since the last official match, how is the team's condition?)
"I think we've come this far in good condition. I've had a good feeling watching the players and the team as a whole over the past few weeks. We've had some time off since our last Trial, which has given us the opportunity to prepare and concentrate on this tournament, which I think is good for us. Right now, we just want to Trial quickly, and we can't wait for tomorrow. We want to show the passion and enthusiasm we have."

(What have the last few days been like for you as the manager? And for Franco Mastantuono?)
"I want to be very careful in this matter. For me, I want to concentrate on football, put aside what has already happened and allow the team and Franco to experience this tournament as naturally as possible at this moment. This has been the attitude I have taken since I arrived here and will continue to have until the end of the tournament. Then we will see how to proceed.
I think it's very important that we understand how important this tournament is to us and that we just embrace it as a natural part of it."

(Based on your analysis, what kind of teams will River Plate face?)
"We have thoroughly analyzed the team we will be playing tomorrow. Japan is a very organized team, and they are known for being able to switch from defense to offense very quickly. They will defend with a lot of players, and then quickly switch to offense, making transitions that will surprise us. Of course, that could change in tomorrow's Trial. The movements of the opponents during Trial will not necessarily match up to our analysis.
What we can see so far is that they are a very disciplined team, well-structured for counterattacks, with speed and technical players who have the power to cause damage to opponents. We will do what we have to do. We will keep the ball moving and take the initiative, while at the same time dealing with the opponent's dangerous transitions.

(Considering Urawa Reds' usual style of play, are you considering any tactical options for tomorrow's Trial?)
"I have a wide range of players, and depending on which members I decide to start with, I'll look at the best combination. First of all, I'll base it on our style, and then I'll observe how the opponents come out and their characteristics and then make a decision. This time, I have a few options, but I have a clear idea of how I'm going to play in tomorrow's Trial."

(Clubs from every continent participate in this Club World Cup, and while there are many economically strong teams, River Plate is not necessarily seen as a favorite to win. What is special about this tournament? Also, what kind of performance or result would make you feel satisfied with finishing the tournament?)
"This tournament is a new experience for all the teams, as clubs from every continent are taking part. So it is a challenge for all the clubs. Usually, the favourites to win are the financially strong clubs who can field the best players. However, River Plate is also a club that has sent many players to those strong clubs. So you could say that our presence is reflected there as well.
I want to play the kind of football that we feel is typical of River Plate, no matter who the opponent is. If we can do that, we will have a chance to win and we will be able to show the direction we want to go.”

(Does this mean that the first match against Urawa is very important? Will a good start determine the team's chances going forward?)
"Tomorrow's first match is very important. If we can get off to a good start, we will be able to start the tournament in good shape and I think it will lead to better possibilities for us going forward."

You managed River in two different formats in 2015 and 2018, left the club and then returned, now for your second term. What do you think about the timing of this Club World Cup as River's manager?
"I feel I am in very good form for this tournament and am delighted to be here and to represent a club for which I have a deep, strong and special feeling.
It's not just a joy, it's also a responsibility and a challenge for me. The challenge that drives me is to keep building a team that people can identify with. It's not just being there, but building that team that is a strong motivation for me.
So, I'm in a very good place right now. I'm older, I'm more experienced, I'm more knowledgeable. My position is changing, and that's the same for everyone here, who grows and gains different experiences over the years. Those experiences, especially the ones that teach me, are very valuable to me."

(Regarding the condition of the pitch, is there any information available, given that it was talked about during the Copa America in this country last year? Also, from your perspective, having experience both as a player and a manager, do you think the first match is the most difficult in such a Trial?)
"As always, the first match is difficult from the start because of the nerves and expectations.
We are aware of that. There is a lot of excitement and sometimes emotions get too high. That's why it's important to keep a good balance and stay calm. We've been talking about that with the players.
Regarding the condition of the pitch, I understand that improvements have been considered following last year's experience, where many problems arose when switching from artificial turf to natural grass. In fact, from Trial I've seen so far, the grass hasn't turned over and I don't think the condition is that bad."

(Was there any desire to bring in reinforcements for the FIFA Club World Cup?)
"With a schedule where one tournament finishes and another starts immediately, there wasn't much room to enter a very active transfer market. There was a lack of time, and it's not easy. That's why many players are assessed for whether they can play for River. I don't mean to disparage anyone, but playing for River is different from playing for another club. That's why we give many players the option to gain experience at another club and then come back to River and represent us better."

You mentioned the efforts of so many River Plate supporters who made it this far, but what message would you like to send to those who couldn't make it, those who have already arrived and those on their way now?
"My message is that we want to be as close as possible to the people who arrived, who support the team, and who came to the front of the hotel. We have to be grateful for their efforts. And unfortunately, many River Plate fans wanted to come, but had to give up because they didn't have the time or the means. I would like to convey my heartfelt gratitude to those people as well. And we would like to repay their feelings with a good performance as a club."

I would like to ask about your ongoing philosophy of "sticking to your own style." You often speak about the importance of maintaining that attitude, regardless of the strength of your opponent, but to what extent are you able to stick to that philosophy in a tournament like this?
"I love the attitude of trying to maintain our own style, regardless of the opponent. That's what motivates me. Of course, the stronger the opponent, the more different challenges we will face. That will test how we can solve them. There is always room for adjustment, because not all opponents are the same. They will not necessarily allow us to do exactly what we want to do. For that reason, we will need to make adjustments from time to time and change according to the characteristics of our opponent. But even so, in my quest to 'stick to our own style', I believe that I should never waver.
We respect all styles, but we are not a team that waits to counter. We want to use our strengths and take the initiative. We want to play in the opposition's half and press to win the ball back. That's who we are, and that's what we want to express on the pitch."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]