Gallardo lines up Vera replacement for River’s Argentinos trip | OneFootball

River visit Argentinos Juniors in La Paternal on Thursday, with Marcelo Gallardo forced into a midfield reshuffle after Fausto Vera’s red card in the defeat to Tigre, shown for an aerial challenge that drew criticism over the lack of VAR review.

According to SuperDepor.com, Gallardo is understood to have lined up Giuliano Galoppo to cover for the suspended midfielder, so the former could return to the starting XI.

Since the start of the season, Gallardo has paired Vera with Aníbal Moreno in the middle. They started the first four rounds and performed to expectations until Saturday, when Vera’s dismissal disrupted the plan.

Galoppo emerges as the leading alternative. He ended last year under scrutiny after a missed Copa Argentina penalty against Independiente Rivadavia de Mendoza and the ensuing backlash, yet the staff kept him in the 2026 squad to compete for minutes.

He has come on in every league game so far, always from the bench, which currently places him ahead of Kevin Castaño in the pecking order.

Gallardo is also weighing a second tweak. Marcos Acuña could reclaim a starting berth in place of Matías Viña, who has fitness issues and was withdrawn at half-time against Tigre.

Source: SuperDepor.com