River Plate's head coach, Marcelo Gallardo, is starting to define the lineup that will face Gimnasia y Esgrima de La Plata next Sunday at 20:30 for the 14th matchday of the Torneo Clausura. The 'Millionaire' team will seek to reverse an adverse streak they are facing at home with three consecutive defeats against Palmeiras (1-2) in the Copa Libertadores, Riestra (1-2), and Sarmiento (0-1). Additionally, after the recent penalty shootout loss against Independiente Rivadavia de Mendoza in the Copa Argentina semi-finals, the Núñez side's only path to next season's most important continental tournament is through the domestic championship. Three points against 'El Lobo' would provide greater peace of mind ahead of the Superclásico against Boca Juniors. If they achieve a victory at La Bombonera, they would reach the final matchday against Vélez Sarsfield depending on themselves to secure qualification. Initially, Enzo Pérez is profiled as one of the midfield starters who would take the field at the Monumental, while 'Muñeco' will have to decide what to do with Lautaro Rivero, Lucas Martínez Quarta, and Marcos Acuña, who are on the verge of yellow cards and would miss the match against 'Xeneize' if they receive another one against the La Plata side. The truth is, River is in need of a string of victories to regain confidence and improve their football performance.
Possible River lineup to face Gimnasia: Franco Armani; Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Lautaro Rivero or Paulo Díaz, Marcos Acuña; Kevin Castaño, Enzo Pérez or Juan Portillo, Ignacio Fernández or Cristian Jaime, Juanfer Quintero; Facundo Colidio and Maximiliano Salas.
