River Plate arrived in São Paulo: fans were full of confidence, smiles, and encouragement before the Copa Libertadores rematch against Palmeiras.

“Put your heart into it, put your heart into it, Millionaire, put your heart into it, keep going, tomorrow whatever the cost, tomorrow we have to win” … With that melody, the River Plate fans who were at the door of the Hilton Morumbí welcomed Marcelo Gallardo ’s squad, which arrived in São Paulo this Tuesday, 24 hours before the match to the Copa Libertadores semifinals against Palmeiras at the Allianz Parque. And to achieve that, they must win .

“I want the Libertadores, and to kill a Boca Juniors fan,” continued the chants of the fans of the red band who are already in this city awaiting the decisive duel with Verdao in which the Muñeco team will have to build a new epic since in the first leg they lost 2 to 1. On the other side of a strict fence and with a strong security presence , they saw each of the members of the squad go down.

The first to leave one of the buses that brought the delegation (the other transported the leaders) at around 7:40 p.m. from Guarulhos airport, where River had landed more than an hour earlier, was Gallardo himself , who received the biggest ovation , to which the coach returned smiles.

Afterward, the coaching staff members left, followed by the players. Juanfer Quintero , also receiving a standing ovation, was the brightest. The Colombian was seen smiling from ear to ear, cheering in time with the fans' chants. He also took the time to sign a few autographs, including one for a boy born here in São Paulo , a River Plate fan whose father is from Roque Pérez and has lived here for 15 years.

The last to get off the bus was Franco Armani , who stamped his signature on some shirts, as did Enzo Francescoli , the sporting director.

The fans here have a lot of hope for the team. And they made it known. Why? "Because we're River," summed up Lucas de Rafael Calzada. And others relied on "Gallardo's aura," "which is just one goal and anything can happen in a match," to believe in a comeback.

There weren't many football-related arguments in the responses, although there was a certain amount of confidence in some players, especially Juanfer Quintero. They see the Colombian as the possible hero of the night at the Allianz Parque. Others mentioned Miguel Borja , formerly of Palmeiras. And some also mentioned Franco Armani , if it goes to penalties.

River is already in São Paulo, focused on trying to build a new story .