Ponzio detailed the qualities of the ideal number five for River

Leonardo Ponzio achieved his second victory at the helm of River Plate and, in a press conference, elaborated on the profile that the central midfielder of the team should have. The question arose from the performance of Fausto Vera, who occupies that position in the absence of Aníbal Moreno due to lumbar discomfort.

The Lion, who knows that position well from the years he played there, was clear in outlining the requirements. “He needs to have good footwork and the sacrifice to play the full ninety minutes, to tackle, to clash, and when they get behind you, to run back, which is the hardest part,” he explained.

Ponzio insisted that River's number five should not only distribute play but also contribute physical intensity throughout the match. This combination of technique and commitment is, in his view, essential to wear the red band in the midfield.

During his extensive career in Núñez, the current coach played in various areas of the field, but the midfield was always his natural position. From there, he contributed to several of the titles he lifted while wearing the millonaria jersey.

The role of Fausto Vera

Regarding Fausto Vera's current situation, Ponzio highlighted that the midfielder is meeting the demands of the position. “He is doing it, it’s a position he has known since he was little, and it’s about holding everything together; you are the brain and the one who communicates, that’s what he feels,” the coach affirmed.

Vera arrived at River in the summer with the idea of taking on that role, although over the months he had to adapt to different functions according to the team's needs. Now, with the chance to play as a five, he regains the position where he feels most comfortable.

The player himself had spoken about this topic after the previous match. He pointed out that it has always been his natural position and that, despite the regret over Moreno's injury, he feels good fulfilling that role.

Ponzio particularly valued Vera's ability to organize the group from midfield and maintain defensive and offensive balance. This reading of the game is one of the keys that the coach seeks in whoever occupies the position.

The uncertainty with Aníbal Moreno

Regarding Aníbal Moreno's situation, the coach confirmed that the midfielder is suffering from a lumbar pain he had never experienced before. “Aníbal has a lumbar pain that has never happened to him before, and he is trying to recover,” he indicated.

For that reason, the presence of the Paraguayan next Saturday in Tucumán, when River visits Atlético for the ninth round of the Clausura Tournament, is still uncertain. The coaching staff evaluates his progress day by day.

In the meantime, Vera will continue to accumulate minutes in the position and solidify his adaptation to the scheme proposed by Ponzio. The coach trusts that the midfielder can maintain the level he showed in the last matches.

The demands of the five position in River are high, and Ponzio knows this firsthand. That’s why he insists on the need for a player who combines good footwork with physical sacrifice and the ability to recover when the opponent surpasses the midfield line.

With two consecutive victories, the coach continues to build his team idea. The definition of the central midfield will be one of the aspects he will closely observe in the upcoming matches, especially if Moreno manages to recover in time for the match in the north.