River target top spot in their group v Bragantino at the Monumental | OneFootball

River Plate face the Brazilian side this Wednesday at the Monumental for Matchday 5 of Group H. Eduardo Coudet will rest some starters with the Torneo Apertura final against Belgrano in mind, but he will still be looking for a win that secures a place in the round of 16.

River Plate will host RB Bragantino this Wednesday from 9:30 p.m. at the Estadio Monumental, for the fifth matchday of Group H in the Copa Sudamericana. The team coached by Eduardo Coudet comes into the match in excellent form and will aim for a win that allows it to secure qualification for the round of 16 of the continental tournament.

The Núñez side has been through intense and highly demanding weeks. After the huge win over San Lorenzo and eliminating Rosario Central to reach the Torneo Apertura final, River significantly raised its level of play and regained the fans’ confidence. Now, before Sunday’s showdown against Belgrano in Córdoba, it will try to wrap up its international qualification.

River Plate lead Group H with 10 points and hold a four-point advantage over their closest challengers. Even a defeat would allow them to remain top of the group and depend on themselves on the final matchday to finish first. A draw would guarantee, at the very least, a spot in the playoffs, while taking all three points would send them directly into the round of 16.

The packed schedule has left several key absences in the squad. Gonzalo Montiel, Matías Viña, Aníbal Moreno, and Sebastián Driussi have all been ruled out, so Coudet would field a completely rotated lineup. The most notable return would be Franco Armani in goal.

In defense, Ulises Giménez or Agustín Obregón could play alongside Germán Pezzella, Paulo Díaz, and Facundo González. In midfield, Juan Fernando Quintero, Giuliano Galoppo, and Lucas Silva or Kevin Castaño would feature. Further forward would be Maximiliano Meza, Ian Subiabre, and Maximiliano Salas.

The coach’s priority is clear: not to risk the players who will start in the final against Belgrano. Also among the call-ups are two youngsters who could have their first official experience: Jonathan Spiff and Valentin Lucero.

On the other side, RB Bragantino are going through an inconsistent spell. Although they sit sixth in the Brasileirao, they were eliminated early from the Copa do Brasil by Mirassol and come into this match needing points to avoid seriously compromising their qualification chances.

The most recent meeting between the two came less than a month ago in Brazil and featured Santiago Beltrán as the standout performer, as he saved a penalty and kept River in the game for much of the match. Near the end, Lucas Martínez Quarta scored the dramatic late winner that gave the Millonario victory on São Paulo soil.

River’s probable lineup vs. RB Bragantino

Franco Armani; Ulises Giménez or Agustín Obregón, Germán Pezzella, Paulo Díaz, Facundo González; Juan Fernando Quintero, Giuliano Galoppo, Lucas Silva or Kevin Castaño; Maximiliano Meza; Ian Subiabre and Maximiliano Salas. Coach: Eduardo Coudet.

RB Bragantino’s possible starting XI

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