The Millionaire aims to leave the turbulence behind and embrace a squad built for sustainability and stability.
For River Plate, the turmoil from last week, including leaks and rumors about a supposed clash between Martín Demichelis and club leaders, seems to be a thing of the past. Yet the team’s momentum will only solidify if results pick up in the Professional League Cup, the sole competition they contest through the year’s end.
On date 4 of the cup, they welcome Arsenal, a side that had been virtually condemned to relegation both by average points and by the annual table, yet managed to grab three points in their most recent clash. This matchup will close the weekend, taking place on Sunday the 17th at 8:00 p.m. at the Monumental Stadium.
The river is called
The Millionaire club was active over the weekend, though in a friendly setting, facing Universidad Católica. The game offered Demichelis a chance to evaluate players who have had less field time, including the latest signing, Sebastian Boselli, who has not yet made an official debut.
On the injury front, minutes were added for Paulo Díaz, David Martínez, and Bruno Zuculini after seven months away, while Leandro González Pírez returned to River Camp alongside his teammates. The plan remains to have Franco Armani, Nicolás De La Cruz, and Salomón Rondón back in action after the qualifiers, aiming for a nearly complete squad except for Rodrigo Aliendro, who continues to recover from a shoulder injury.
THE FORMATION OF RIVER
For the first time in the second half of the year, Demichelis will have his first-choice central defenders (Paulo Díaz and Leandro González Pírez) paired with two seasoned backstoppers (Ramiro Funes Mori and Sebastian Boselli). The task now is to decide which lineup configuration will start the crucial clash.
In midfield, the question is whether to deploy a single defensive screen at home against a relatively less challenging opponent, potentially placing Enzo Pérez as the sole holding midfielder while the playmaking duties go to Nicolás De La Cruz, Ignacio Fernández, Lanzini, and Borja to support Borja’s attacking role. Everything remains under careful assessment in the days ahead as the coach weighs options and form, aiming for a balanced unit that can control tempo and exploit the home advantage.