The nightmare scenario that could see River miss out on Clausura play-offs | OneFootball

The defeat in the Superclásico not only meant another shock in a turbulent year for River, but it also opened the door to a scenario as catastrophic as it is unlikely: being left out of the Clausura Tournament playoffs on the final matchday.

What just a few rounds ago seemed like a utopia is now difficult, but not impossible. After suffering their sixth defeat in the last seven matches against Boca, the Millonario sits sixth with 21 points in Group B and could lose their ticket to the round of 16 if a combination of results comes to pass.

First things first: if they beat Vélez on Sunday, they qualify. If they draw, they would also make it to the knockout stage, since Sarmiento would have to win 10-0, San Martín 7-0—and also avoid relegation—and Gimnasia would have to win both of their remaining matches with a total goal difference of 12-0. In other words, highly unlikely results.

What would need to happen on the final matchday for River to be eliminated First of all, River must lose in their visit to Vélez at the Amalfitani. Starting from that point, the following other results must also happen:

Talleres must win (against Instituto). Sarmiento must win (against San Lorenzo). San Martín de San Juan must win (against Aldosivi) and, in addition, avoid relegation. Gimnasia must earn the remaining 6 points (against Vélez and Platense).

If all those results occur on matchday 16, River would drop to tenth place and, therefore, be eliminated in the regular phase of the Clausura Tournament. Even if San Martín were relegated and their spot became available for that reason, Marcelo Gallardo's team could only move up to ninth place and would still be left out of the playoffs.

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