Gallardo prepares his side for Copa Argentina semi-final v Independiente | OneFootball

The Millionaire faces a very important challenge against Independiente Rivadavia, and the Doll is working to find the ideal team. Acuña would return to the starting lineup, and Enzo Pérez is still in doubt.

River has exhausted its margin for error in that fateful streak of four consecutive defeats (in addition to the two that knocked them out of the Copa Libertadores), and that's why every match until the end of the year is decisive. Undoubtedly, the clash against Independiente Rivadavia next Friday in the semifinals of the Copa Argentina is among the most important.

In this week's training sessions, Marcelo Gallardo will try to outline the ideal 11 to face the match in Córdoba to keep open one of the two possibilities of ending 2025 with a title (and with the necessary qualification for the next Cup). The Doll already has the base, but still has two doubts.

With the expected return of Marcos Acuña to the starting lineup once he is cleared, the presence of Enzo Pérez indeed raises questions. The Millionaire captain has been inactive for almost a month after the cut he suffered on one of his knees in the elimination against Palmeiras in Brazil, and it's likely he will start from the bench.

Regardless of whether Enzo plays or not, one of the Doll's doubts is who will accompany Kevin Castaño and Juan Carlos Portillo in the midfield. Santiago Lencina played against Talleres, but for the semis, Giuliano Galoppo could return to the starting lineup. Further back is Ignacio Fernández, also with chances.

The other question Gallardo must decide is who will partner with Maximiliano Salas, the only forward with a guaranteed spot. Sebastián Driussi had a poor game against the T, and his replacement, Facundo Colidio, was decisive in sealing the victory at the Mario Alberto Kempes.

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