River lose both first-choice full-backs for Belgrano clash | OneFootball

The team's starting right back and top scorer in the Apertura has been withdrawn from the Argentina squad due to a tear in his left hamstring, while Huevo picked up his fifth yellow card in the win over Estudiantes de Río Cuarto.

Even though River will have nearly two weeks off because of the FIFA international break, it already knows that it will be without its two starting full-backs for the clash against Belgrano in the Apertura Tournament. Gonzalo Montiel suffered a Grade I tear in his left hamstring, which ruled him out of the Argentina squad for the friendlies against Mauritania and Zambia, while Marcos Acuña picked up his fifth yellow card in the 2-0 win over Estudiantes de Río Cuarto.

Cachete, who scored River’s opening goal from the penalty spot in its hard-fought win in Córdoba and became the team’s top scorer of the year with four goals, went off injured with 15 minutes left in the match. Tests showed he has a tear in his left hamstring that will keep him out for at least two weeks.

In addition to missing out with the national team during a key FIFA window ahead of the next World Cup, the right back will also miss the clash against Belgrano at the Monumental. Depending on his recovery, he could also be sidelined for the Copa Sudamericana opener against Blooming in Bolivia and for the derby against Racing the following weekend. His replacement will be Fabricio Bustos, who has yet to play any minutes this year.

At the other end of the pitch, the situation is similar: River will also be without Marcos Acuña, its starting left back and also called up by Lionel Scaloni for the Argentina squad. In this case, it will not be due to injury but suspension: Huevo picked up his fifth yellow card and will have to serve a one-match ban against the Pirata.

His place will be taken by Matías Viña, who arrived in the summer transfer window to compete for a spot but has not yet shown his best form in the red sash. The Uruguayan was called up by Marcelo Bielsa and will also represent his national team during this FIFA window. In the last international break before the World Cup, La Celeste will face England and Algeria.

As a result, and hoping not to suffer any more setbacks over these two weeks, Eduardo Coudet already knows he will be without two of his usual starters for an important match against Belgrano, which, despite coming off a loss to Racing, sits third with 19 points, one fewer than River.

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