Following a pause for the international window, the millionaire club headlined a bustling weekend as it geared up for a meeting with Unión, the first challenge after the leadership change in the squad.
That FIFA-date break did not translate to rest for River Plate. The new front runners of the league kept their schedule tight, hosting an international friendly against the University of Chile using mostly rotation players. Just a day earlier, the team had been involved in a broader, informal training session that notably pitted River against the Argentina national team in a remarkable session of practice and exposure.
Now the focus shifts back to the domestic league, with a double-program ahead next week: this Friday at 9:30 pm River welcomes Unión to the Monumental, set as a prelude to the Copa Libertadores opener scheduled for the following Tuesday. Unión arrives hoping to climb out of the relegation zone, fresh off a 3-1 defeat at home to Racing.
THE RIVER HAS BEEN CALLED
The FIFA break meant some players were unavailable for training as they were called up by their national teams. Key names such as Franco Armani, Robert Rojas, Paulo Díaz, and Salomón Rondón traded club sessions for international duties, limiting the first-team squad’s time on the pitch together during the week.
Attention was particularly on Nicolás De La Cruz, who missed Uruguay’s Asian tour due to synovitis. He had been working separately for two weeks but returned to the fold within the squad, appearing on the roster once more as the team prepared for competitive action.
On the downside, Santiago Simón was ruled out due to a tendinitis issue in the left adductor, a setback that shortened the pool of available attacking options and forced strategic adjustments within the lineup.
THE FORMATION OF THE RIVER
In the encounter with Sarmiento in Junín, River Plate delivered another strong performance, reinforcing coach Martín Demichelis’s approach and reducing the need for changes. Despite Emanuel Mammana’s recovery, the defense appears settled with a central combination of Leandro González Pirez and Paulo Díaz, complemented by Enzo Díaz on the left and Milton Casco on the right.
With De La Cruz newly back and Simón unavailable, the team seems inclined to keep Ésequiel Barco in the starting XI, while Palavecino could be leveraged further through the center to boost playmaking options. Lucas Beltrán remains the expected first-choice striker, ready to lead the line in the absence of Borja from the starting lineup.
Projected XI options include Franco Armani in goal; Milton Casco, Leandro González Pirez, Paulo Díaz, Enzo Díaz across the back; Rodrigo Aliendro and Enzo Pérez controlling the midfield alongside Ignacio Fernández; José Paradela and either Ésequiel Barco or Agustín Palavecino in advanced playmaking roles; with Lucas Beltrán leading the attack as the central striker.
ALTERNATIVE
To confirm.
Citation: Goal