The River Plate coach, Marcelo Gallardo, has decided to summon young defender Daniel Zabala for the upcoming match against Defensa y Justicia for the nineteenth date of the Liga Profesional de Fútbol. Zabala, a central defender aged 21, will take the place of Marcos Acuña, who is injured and will not be able to participate in the match, which will take place on Friday at 21:00 in Florencio Varela.
"El Muñeco" Gallardo plans to line up an alternative team for this match, prioritizing the return leg against Atlético Mineiro in the Copa Libertadores. Only three players who started the last match would remain in the starting eleven: Paulo Díaz, Enzo Díaz, and Ignacio Fernández. Claudio Echeverri would return to the starting lineup after six matches, with his last participation being in the draw against Colo Colo.
The possible lineup of River Plate against Defensa y Justicia would be as follows: Franco Armani or Jeremías Ledesma in goal; Milton Casco, Federico Gattoni, Paulo Díaz, Enzo Díaz in defense; Maximiliano Meza, Matías Kranevitter or Rodrigo Villagra, Ignacio Fernández, Claudio Echeverri in midfield; and Pablo Solari and Adam Bareiro in attack. The head coach will continue to be Marcelo Gallardo.
