Armani and Acuña out v Peñarol, doubts for River’s Apertura start | OneFootball

River adds concerns in the middle of preseason. Just days before the last friendly match in Uruguay, Marcelo Gallardo already knows that he will not be able to count on either Marcos Acuña or Franco Armani this Saturday against Peñarol, and both are now serious doubts for the debut in the Torneo Apertura against Barracas Central.

The case of Acuña has been open the longest. The trauma in the big toe of his left foot has not allowed him to train normally either in San Martín de los Andes or in Punta del Este, and it sidelined him again from the friendly against Millonarios. The discomfort persists and requires managing loads day by day.

The left-back is doing physical work and ball exercises, but avoids full impact and contact. As long as the area remains swollen and painful, the coaching staff will not force his return. The recovery is positive, although the calendar is starting to work against him.

With the official debut getting closer, the question is no longer about the match with Peñarol in Maldonado, but about Barracas. Gallardo knows that if Acuña doesn't make it, he will have alternatives: Matías Viña has gained minutes and left a good impression, while Facundo González and Juan Portillo appear as emergency options.

Meanwhile, Armani's situation also raises alarms. The goalkeeper suffered a tear in his right calf during training in the South and continues his recovery in Punta del Este. Recently, he was seen jogging, but his presence in the debut is uncertain.

At 39 years old, the historic goalkeeper is going through a crucial tune-up in what could be his last year at the club. The margin is minimal, and if he is not in optimal condition, the coaching staff will not take unnecessary risks.

In the meantime, the goal has a temporary owner. Santiago Beltrán was chosen against Millonarios and responded again with a clean sheet. Everything indicates that he will repeat against Peñarol and, if Armani does not recover in time, he will also guard River's goal in the Apertura debut.

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