Sebastián Driussi was supposed to be one of River Plate’s big moves in the last transfer window, but so far, things haven’t gone to plan. Not only has he failed to score in his 11 appearances, but he’s also looked worryingly off in terms of attitude. His latest misstep? A missed penalty in a goalless draw at home against Barcelona de Ecuador, putting him right in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.

Coming from Austin FC in MLS, where he was a key player with solid stats, he’s struggling to find his place under Marcelo Gallardo. In the U.S., he spent four seasons (2021–2024), played 115 games, scored 51 goals, and racked up 17 assists. Still, he never managed to win a trophy with the American club.

A Big-Money Move Under Scrutiny

Now, fans are wondering if it was really worth dropping over $10 million on a third-choice striker who hasn’t clicked with the manager’s system. It’s the second-most expensive signing in the club’s history, just behind Lucas Pratto, who cost River $14 million back in 2018. The “Bear” had been a long-time obsession for Gallardo, and his arrival was hyped for a reason.

But it’s not just Driussi—River as a team has looked flat up front. They’ve only scored 14 goals in 16 games this year, which is way below expectations for a club known for its attacking firepower. They haven’t scored more than twice in any match, and in six games, they didn’t find the net at all.

Gallardo’s Urgent Task Ahead

Two of those 14 goals came against lowly Ciudad Bolívar in the Copa Argentina, highlighting just how bad things have gotten. Now, it’s up to Marcelo Gallardo and his coaching staff to turn things around—starting by getting their forwards firing again, especially Driussi, who arrived with high hopes but hasn’t come close to justifying the price tag.