Alarm bells at River: Montiel a doubt for the match against Vélez | OneFootball

As if River's outlook for the final match against Vélez wasn't already complicated in their aspirations to qualify for the 2026 Copa Libertadores, just days before the game in Liniers, bad news shook Núñez: Gonzalo Montiel is doubtful to play on Sunday and could join the long list of absentees.

Cachete hasn't suffered any new physical issues, but it's worth remembering that against Boca he started the match despite not having fully recovered from a sprain in his left knee. Due to the importance of the match, the defender was risked with less than ten days of recovery, although now Marcelo Gallardo and the medical staff are considering the possibility of resting him.

While it's clear that River has a lot at stake against Fortín, both to secure their playoff spot and at least enter the Libertadores playoff (currently fourth, in the Copa Sudamericana zone), internally they also weigh the factor of risking the injury worsening again.

In Thursday's training, he worked separately and did not participate in ball exercises with the rest of the team. Thus, the upcoming training sessions leading up to Sunday, where he will be evaluated and tested, will be crucial. The news at this point in the week is that Montiel's presence against Vélez is uncertain.

The sprain he suffered is not of serious concern, as it's an injury that usually requires two to three weeks of recovery, but playing again without respecting the ideal rehabilitation times is dangerous.

If Gallardo's final decision is to preserve Montiel, he will be replaced on the right side by Fabricio Bustos, considering that Milton Casco will replace Marcos Acuña, who is suspended for receiving five yellow cards.

The six absences River will face against Vélez

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.