River Plate is gearing up for its first match following Marcelo Gallardo’s departure as head coach, with fans expressing their criticisms towards the players, particularly those with more experience. Amidst these tensions, there have been unconfirmed reports suggesting that Marcos Acuña did not part ways with Gallardo on the best of terms.
In light of this situation, interim coach Marcelo Escudero faced a crucial decision regarding Acuña’s role as the team prepares to face Independiente Rivadavia from Mendoza. According to journalist Germán Balcarce, Acuña is set to reclaim a starting position for the upcoming match, stepping in for the young Facundo González, who had filled in at left-back during the match against Banfield despite being primarily a central defender.
Marcos Acuña has addressed the rumors concerning his alleged dispute with Gallardo, providing a firm denial of any such issues. Acuña’s last appearance on the pitch was against Argentinos Juniors, where he was substituted after an hour of play. Unfortunately, a bout of flu kept him sidelined for the Copa Argentina clash against Ciudad de Bolívar and a recent match at Vélez.
Having started as a substitute in Gallardo’s farewell match against Banfield, Acuña is poised to return to the starting lineup under Escudero for the game in Mendoza. The rest of the team is expected to remain largely the same as the one that secured a victory against Banfield last Thursday at the Monumental Stadium.
The expected lineup for River Plate against Independiente Rivadavia in the Apertura Tournament is as follows: Santiago Beltrán; Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Lautaro Rivero, Marcos Acuña; Fausto Vera, Aníbal Moreno; Ian Subiabre, Joaquín Freitas, Tomás Galván, and Sebastián Driussi, with Marcelo Escudero taking charge as the coach.
This match is a significant opportunity for River Plate to focus on collective performance and regain momentum after a turbulent period, emphasizing the potential for growth and resilience within the team.