Midfield conundrum: Gallardo faces key puzzle at River ahead of the Copa 🏆 | OneFootball

The Doll has to define the companions of Enzo Pérez in the middle of the field. Galarza and Galoppo are the ones with the most chances of being starters, and among four other names, the fourth midfielder could emerge.

If there is a sign that Marcelo Gallardo still hasn't found his ideal 11 for River this semester, it's that, two days before the rematch against Libertad, for the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, the only midfielder who has his presence guaranteed for this match is Enzo Pérez. The middle of the field, a neuralgic area of any team, still doesn't have a defined shape or names.

The captain and emblem of the Millionaire is immovable and, in addition, is the only pure central midfielder that the squad has today. What the Doll has to define is how to surround him so as not to expose him at 39 years old and provide support so that he can be the sustenance and the first defined pass. The names in dispute, with different characteristics, are: Matías Galarza, Kevin Castaño, Giuliano Galoppo, Ignacio Fernández, Santiago Lencina, and Juan Fernando Quintero.

Since his debut in the classic against San Lorenzo, Matías Galarza has always been among the starters, except for the duel against Godoy Cruz last Sunday, when the Doll resorted to rotation and made him enter at halftime. The Paraguayan arrived from Talleres and immediately got into the team due to his physical presence, intensity, and versatility. Without dazzling, for now, he has his place and would be among the 11 this Thursday.

Kevin Castaño followed a similar path since he arrived at Núñez, but his level was in decline, and today his continuity as a starter is seriously in doubt. After entering from the bench in his debut, the Colombian was always a starter (except against Vélez) and only missed the match against Inter, due to expulsion, in the Club World Cup. His presence from the start against Tomba, with a bad game as a central midfielder, may be a sign that he will leave his place in the team.

The fall of the ex-Krasnodar contrasts with the emergence of Giuliano Galoppo, who has scored four goals in the six games he has played this semester. The ex-Banfield brings a plus that no other midfielder in the squad has, and his good recent performances could force him to start against Libertad.

Another player who gained ground in the last matches was Nacho Fernández. His entry in the first leg against Libertad revitalized a team that was very static, and his presence from the start against the people from Mendoza ratified his positive influence on the game. A man of extreme confidence for the Doll and a historic player for the club, he could bring more creativity and association to the midfield, although he would take away defensive capacity.

Perhaps the least polyfunctional of all is Juan Fernando Quintero. Usually deployed on a wing and without major responsibilities in the retreat, the Colombian is the quota of magic that can open any defensive lock. His performance, both football-wise and physically, was on the rise until he asked for a change due to a discomfort in one of his knees last Sunday. Available to start, it would be necessary to see if Gallardo sends him from the beginning or keeps him as a card for the second half.

Lastly, and having lost ground after being a starter in the first matches of the semester, is Santiago Lencina. With a clear decline in his level, he was replaced at halftime against Independiente and in the first leg against Libertad; while in the win against Godoy Cruz, he didn't play any minutes. Being the most offensive alternative and the most adaptable to the 4-3-3 that the coach is using, it's still very likely that he will be left out of the team.

Further behind are Juan Carlos Portillo, who debuted as a first central defender but arrived to be an alternative in the middle and will likely gain minutes; and Juan Cruz Meza, a weakness of the coach and a great bet for the future, but with only 17 years and a handful of games in the First Division.

Faced with this scenario, the most likely midfield for the rematch against Libertad at the Monumental is with Enzo Pérez as '5', Giuliano Galoppo, and Matías Galarza as his sides and with the option to give more flight and offensive presence to the middle of the field.

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