Beltrán starts, Centurión benched, Armani out: River v Tigre keeper plan | OneFootball

For the first time this year, Marcelo Gallardo has all three goalkeepers from River’s professional squad available. Looking ahead to the match against Tigre, which will take place this Saturday at 8:00 PM at the Monumental, the Muñeco will keep Santiago Beltrán as the starter, Ezequiel Centurión will be the substitute, while Franco Armani, who trained normally this week, is not included in the list of those called up.

With Santiago Beltrán, River found solutions when an unexpected situation arose during the preseason: both Franco Armani and Ezequiel Centurión were injured.

The young player started in both friendlies and did the same in the first three matches of the Apertura Tournament, in which he did not concede any goals. Against Barracas Central and Gimnasia, he was barely involved, but against Rosario Central in Arroyito, he was one of the team’s standout performers, making key saves that allowed the Millonario to take a point from Santa Fe.

For this reason, Gallardo decided to back him for the clash against the Matador, as the coach feels the other two goalkeepers do not yet have the necessary match fitness.

Centurión, who missed the preseason due to a fracture in his left wrist suffered against Argentinos Juniors in the Copa Argentina final while playing for Independiente Rivadavia, returned to action this week.

The 28-year-old goalkeeper, who returned from his loan to be Armani’s backup after Jeremías Ledesma’s departure, started in a Reserve friendly against Argentino de Merlo and did the same in the Proyección Tournament debut against Talleres at River Camp. After keeping a clean sheet in the 2-0 win over Talleres, the Muñeco decided he would be on the bench this Saturday against Tigre.

Armani, for his part, trained normally all week after recovering from a soleus tear and a subsequent Achilles tendon inflammation. Although he is the undisputed starter, the Muñeco wants to give him the necessary time to regain his rhythm and reach his best physical condition.

For this reason, he is not included in the squad to face Tigre and is only expected to return to the list for next Thursday’s match against Argentinos Juniors in La Paternal, although his starting spot is not guaranteed. When could he return to the starting eleven? In the Copa Argentina match against Ciudad Bolívar next Tuesday, February 17, at Estadio Parque La Pedrera in San Luis.

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