River Plate is set to face San Martín de San Juan this Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Estadio Hilario Sánchez as part of the Liga Profesional de Fútbol (LPF) Apertura tournament. The match kicks off at 21:00, with the temperature expected to soar to 40°C, presenting additional challenges for both teams.
Coached by Marcelo Gallardo, River Plate is aiming to secure their first victory away from home after two draws, following a recent 1-0 triumph against Lanús at home. Meanwhile, San Martín de San Juan, under the guidance of Raúl Antuña, has yet to claim their first win of the season, having accumulated just three points from six matches, with three draws against Riestra, Rosario Central, and Sarmiento.
The significance of this match is heightened for River Plate, who seek to improve their inconsistent performance throughout the early stages of the tournament. With key players like Franco Armani demonstrating stellar goalkeeping and Miguel Borja’s attacking prowess, River will be counting on the best lineup available to tackle their opponents effectively.
Coach Gallardo is making tactical adjustments due to injuries and unreliable performances. Giuliano Galoppo is sidelined with an injury, prompting discussions about who will fill his position. Santiago Simón is expected to return to the starting lineup. Gallardo has uncertainties, including whether Paulo Díaz will reclaim his central defensive position, which could see Germán Pezzella benched.
River’s match strategy might also hinge on whether Miguel Borja assumes front-line duties, potentially replacing Sebastián Driussi, who has struggled and was substituted halftime during recent games, or Facundo Colidio, whose own form has come under question. Another tactical consideration includes the possible inclusion of Maxi Meza to replace Manuel Lanzini, who recently had successful recovery from tendon inflammation.
An interesting dynamic surrounding this matchup lies with the team’s selections. Just prior to the match, Gallardo adjusted his squad, meaning some notable players were not included for tactical reasons. Ignacio Fernández, Leandro González Pirez, and Federico Gattoni were left out, marking Gattoni’s fifth consecutive absence from the squad. The experienced Fernández and González Pirez’s exclusion raises questions, particularly since both have seen limited playtime—Fernández with just 26 minutes against San Lorenzo and González Pirez without any minutes this season.
Gallardo maintains the philosophy, "Those who play earn their place, those waiting have the chance to enter, and those left out must keep working hard." This approach emphasizes maintaining competitive spirit within the squad as they aim for victory.
The projected lineups for the match are River Plate: Franco Armani; Gonzalo Montiel, Martínez Quarta, Paulo Díaz or Germán Pezzella, Marcos Acuña; Santiago Simón, Enzo Pérez; and Miguel Borja or Facundo Colidio, with the line being dictated by Gallardo's strategic choices. For San Martín de San Juan, the expected lineup includes Federico Borgogno; Cristian Molina, Nicolás Cáseres, Maximiliano Burgos, Franco Recalde, and Santiago Diarte; along with midfielders Juan Watson and Lautaro Pelaitay, supported by forwards Joaquín Iacobellis and Emiliano Tijanovich, with Toloza leading the attack.
With both teams facing distinct challenges, this match not only holds immediate tournament significance but also carries momentum for each side's morale moving forward. River Plate's quest for their first away win contrasts sharply against San Martín's urgent need for their first victory, setting the stage for what promises to be an engaging encounter filled with tactical intricacies, player performances, and ever-present competitive spirit.