Armani returns, but to the bench: his River future amid rumours | OneFootball

Although the captain and historic goalkeeper has been medically cleared and will return to the squad for the quarterfinals, Chacho will back the youngster’s unquestionable form and keep him in goal.

At last, the moment arrived. Franco Armani was medically cleared, and the question of what decision Eduardo Coudet would make in River’s goal has been settled: the coach will back Santiago Beltrán’s excellent form and keep him as River’s starter for the Torneo Apertura quarterfinal against Gimnasia next Wednesday. Despite the captain’s return, the manager has already decided that the legendary World Cup-winning goalkeeper will start on the bench.

The decision does not go unnoticed given the standing of the man from Casilda, but it has a clear explanation: the 20-year-old goalkeeper, who is part of Argentina’s preliminary squad for the World Cup, has been one of the team’s standout players amid an inconsistent run of form and has earned the right to stay in the lineup with decisive performances.

Beltrán has been crucial in recent weeks. He saved a vital penalty against Bragantino and was the hero in the shootout against San Lorenzo with two saves. In a team that still has not managed to establish consistent form, his performances between the posts have become one of Coudet’s most reliable pillars.

That is why, even though Armani is now recovered and available again after his physical issues, River’s coach has decided not to change a player who is currently delivering more than enough. The coaching staff’s idea is for the captain to get minutes again in the Copa Sudamericana, specifically on Wednesday, May 20 against Bragantino. Another important factor is that he arrives short of match rhythm: he has played only 45 minutes in 2026, back in February against Vélez.

At the same time, in recent days rumors have begun to grow around Armani’s future in light of this new scenario. There was even renewed talk of a possible return to Atlético Nacional, a club where he once publicly admitted he would like to retire. However, as of today there have been no inquiries or concrete contact from Colombia, and the goalkeeper is not considering a departure either.

Far from that, the Octopus’s intention is to fully regain his best level, fight again for the starting spot, and keep winning trophies with River. Behind closed doors, he is considered an important piece not only because of his experience, but also because of the leadership he provides within a group facing a semester full of objectives.

In this way, Coudet is betting on maintaining Beltrán’s momentum and also sending an internal message: the one who is in the best form will play, regardless of names or careers. It is a major decision for a River side entering the decisive stage of the semester and needing immediate answers.

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