Pity Martínez cleared to play for River, eyes spot against Palmeiras | OneFootball

River is preparing for the decisive weeks ahead. In this calm before the storm, Marcelo Gallardo received good news: Gonzalo Martínez has been medically cleared and could be on the bench for the match against Estudiantes on September 13. If his recovery goes as expected, he could also be included in the squad for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores quarterfinals against Palmeiras.

Pity’s physical condition hasn’t been on his side lately, and specifically, muscle problems have prevented him from having continuity during this 2025 season. This time, after the match against Godoy Cruz, he aggravated an old tear in his right hamstring and has been out for just over two weeks. This time, the recovery was faster than before, but it’s already his third muscle tear this year.

Although the number may not seem striking, the truth is that Martínez has played in 12 of the 39 matches River has played in 2025. Of his 27 absences, he was on the bench but didn’t come on in seven, but in the other 20 he was unavailable due to injury. Concerns about his physical condition cast doubt on his future in Núñez, where he has a contract until December.

Now he is once again at Muñeco’s disposal, and if Gallardo sees him fit in training this week and in the remaining days, he could take him to the bench in La Plata. The intention is to bring him back gradually, but also to assess whether he is ready to be an option next Wednesday, September 17, against Palmeiras at the Monumental.

With Pity’s return, only three players remain injured at River, each with very different situations: Maximiliano Meza, who underwent surgery for patellar tendinitis, could return in the coming weeks; Agustín Ruberto, in the final stage of recovery after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, is expected back for the last matches of the year; and Germán Pezzella, in the early stages of rehabilitation from the same surgical procedure, is aiming to be available for the second half of 2026.

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