Gallardo backs River core that knocked Racing out of Copa Argentina | OneFootball

This Monday in Avellaneda, River faces Racing in what little remains of the year. And for this crucial round of 16 match, Marcelo Gallardo clings to the last time his team rose to the occasion: against the same opponent, in the quarterfinals of the Copa Argentina. Therefore, he will repeat much of the starting 11, with the inclusion of Enzo Pérez and Sebastián Driussi, who were injured at that time.

That 1-0 victory over the Academia at the Gigante de Arroyito was, so far, the last joy for the Millonario fans in 2025. Despite being eliminated by Palmeiras and suffering four consecutive defeats, few imagined that after advancing to the semifinals, everything would go downhill to this present moment, which finds them at their lowest football level in over a decade.

Without brilliance, but with a lot of determination, that River left a good impression. In a scrappy match with little play, the team led by the Muñeco managed to prevail in a physical battle, which they struggled with throughout most of the year. That's why the coach wants to return to that afternoon in Rosario.

The difference is that this Monday, Enzo Pérez and Driussi will be available. The captain missed several matches even when he was ready to play, but he returned against Vélez and proved to be the soul of the team. The question is who he will replace: whether it will be Kevin Castaño, recently reinstated after his stint with the Colombian National Team; or Juan Carlos Portillo, who has been filling the Mendocino's spot since the series with Palmeiras.

Driussi's situation is different. Whenever he was physically fit, he was a starter. He even reached a very good level before his ankle injury in the Club World Cup. Unfortunately, that severe sprain and a series of tears and muscle discomforts left him without continuity, and he arrives at these round of 16 far from his ideal version.

Nonetheless, this Monday he will start in place of Facundo Colidio, who is in the final stage of recovering from a hamstring tear and who was decisive in that 1-0 win over Racing with the assist to Maximiliano Salas.

The probable lineup for River to face Racing is: Franco Armani; Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Lautaro Rivero, Marcos Acuña; Giuliano Galoppo, Enzo Pérez, Kevin Castaño or Juan Carlos Portillo; Juan Fernando Quintero; Sebastián Driussi and Maximiliano Salas.

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