The millionaire heads to Córdoba to confront the Drill for a coveted spot in the showdown against Boca for an official title. What move will Demichelis make as the plan unfolds?
River Plate pauses its steady march through the Professional League for a few days to focus on chasing another major trophy, one that would be earned in an eventual clash with Boca. Yet the path to triumph is not always straightforward, with Banfield standing in the way of the objective before a larger stage demands victory.
This meeting falls within the framework of the 2020 Championship trophy. That year, the competition was interrupted by the pandemic, and Boca Juniors claimed the Super League 2019-2020 title along with the Diego Maradona Cup. In the opening phase of 2021, River Plate emerged as runners-up in the former competition, while Banfield reached the final in the other. The stage is set in Córdoba, with the winner moving forward to face Hugo Ibarra’s Boca in a decisive encounter.
RIVER IS SUMMONED
Shortly after a victory against Tigre in Victoria, the squad returned to the River Camp for a session that featured several players not in the starting lineup, coachable against a youth team. Positive notes followed, as Nicolás De La Cruz and Paulo Díaz logged minutes without issue after preseason injuries, and the plan is to complete the setup before they are recalled to action. Additionally, a 3-0 win included two goals from Salomón Rondón.
The notable doubt centers on Leandro González Pírez, who sustained a fractured phalanx on the little finger of his right hand and required immobilization for three weeks, though his availability remains possible. Confirmed casualties include Bruno Zuculini, Matías Kranevitter, Matías Suárez, Emanuel Mammana, Elías López, and Tomas Lecanda, all sidelined by injuries.
RIVER VS BANFIELD TRAINING
Although the display against the Matador did not shine brilliantly, it aligned closely with Martín Demichelis’s strategic vision. Therefore, it would not be surprising if the lineup for the upcoming match mirrors or even matches Saturday’s XI, where the move to use Equal boat as a midfielder added the depth the attack had been missing.
The pressing question remains whether González Pírez’s hand discomfort will permit him to continue at center-back alongside Enzo Díaz, or if Jonatan Maidana, who started earlier in the cycle, would step back in as a precautionary measure.
The likely starting XI? Franco Armani; Robert Rojas, Leandro González Pírez, Enzo Díaz, Milton Casco; Enzo Pérez, Jose Paradela, Nacho Fernández; Esequiel Barco, Pablo Solari, Miguel Borja.
ALTERNATIVE
To be decided.
Which post did you like the most?
- Real Betty
- sao paulo
- cremonese
- Ajax
- Burnley
13717 to vote
Thank you for voting
The results will appear shortly.
Which post did you like the most?
- 51%Real Betty
- 12%sao paulo
- 5%cremonese
- 25%Ajax
- 7%Burnley
13717 to vote