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 left out of 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 almost two weeks off because of the FIFA international break, it already knows that it will be without both of its starting full-backs for the clash against Belgrano in the Apertura Tournament. Gonzalo Montiel suffered a Grade I tear in his left hamstring that 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 first 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 that he has a tear in his left hamstring that will keep him out for at least two weeks.

In addition to missing out on 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 the clásico against Racing the following weekend. His replacement will be Fabricio Bustos, who has not played any minutes so far this year.

On the opposite side of the field, 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 because of injury, but suspension: Huevo picked up his fifth yellow card and will have to serve a one-match ban against the Pirata.

Matías Viña will take his place. He arrived during 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.

So, while hoping not to suffer any more setbacks over these two weeks, Eduardo Coudet already knows that 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, just one behind River.

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