River Plate faces a crucial opportunity to reset its season when it takes on Ciudad de Bolívar in the round of 32 of the Copa Argentina on Tuesday night. Coming off consecutive defeats in the Apertura 2026 tournament, Los Millonarios will be looking to advance in the cup competition and regain some momentum.
The match, scheduled for 10:00 PM local time at Estadio La Pedrera in San Luis, presents Marcelo Gallardo with a chance to evaluate his squad and potentially find solutions to recent struggles. Gallardo has indicated he intends to field a strong lineup, recognizing the importance of the competition despite the team’s current form.
A significant question mark surrounds the availability of goalkeeper Franco Armani. Still recovering from a thigh injury and a heel issue, Armani has yet to receive medical clearance to return to the pitch. Santiago Beltrán is expected to continue in goal for River.
Potential Lineup Changes for River
Gallardo is expected to make a few adjustments to the starting eleven. The defense is likely to remain largely unchanged, featuring Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Lautaro Rivero, and Marcos Acuña. A key boost for River is the return of Fausto Vera, who is eligible to play after serving a suspension. He is expected to replace Kevin Castaño in midfield.
River wants to lift its head against Ciudad de Bolívar for the Copa Argentina. (Getty Images)
Following a tactical shift in the recent loss to Argentinos Juniors, which saw an overabundance of midfielders and limited attacking options, Gallardo is considering a more balanced approach. Castaño’s performance and limited playing time this year make him a likely candidate to be replaced, potentially by either Facundo Colidio or Ian Subiabre, alongside Agustín Ruberto in attack.
Gallardo’s potential starting eleven could include: Santiago Beltrán. Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Lautaro Rivero, Marcos Acuña; Aníbal Moreno, Fausto Vera, Tomás Galván; Juan Fernando Quintero; Agustín Ruberto, and either Facundo Colidio or Ian Subiabre.
The team is also monitoring the fitness of Giuliano Galoppo, who suffered a foot injury, but It’s not believed to be serious. Sebastián Driussi remains sidelined with a torn ligament and is unlikely to return before the match against Vélez.
The match against Ciudad de Bolívar represents more than just a chance to advance in the Copa Argentina. It’s an opportunity for River Plate to address recent shortcomings and build confidence ahead of upcoming challenges in both domestic and continental competitions. The pressure is on Gallardo to find a winning formula and steer his team back on track.
With Armani’s continued absence, Beltrán will be looking to solidify his position as a reliable backup. The return of Vera adds much-needed steel to the midfield, and the potential inclusion of Colidio or Subiabre could inject some attacking spark. However, the ultimate success of River’s approach will depend on their ability to execute Gallardo’s game plan and rediscover the form that made them a dominant force in Argentine football.
