As River Plate emerges from a well-deserved rest during the FIFA international break, they are gearing up for a challenging month ahead filled with crucial matches. The team, known for its storied history in Argentine football, will play eight matches in less than a month across both the Torneo Apertura and the Copa Libertadores, the latter being a particular point of focus for the squad.
This busy agenda kicks off on Saturday, March 29, when River Plate faces Rosario Central at their home stadium starting at 21:00. Following this, the team will travel to Lima, Peru, to encounter Universitario on April 2, at 21:30, marking their debut in the Copa Libertadores for this season. The ensuing lineup of matches includes heavyweight clashes that could define their championship bid.
The upcoming fixtures for River Plate are as follows:
- March 29 at 21:00 – River Plate vs. Rosario Central (Torneo Apertura)
- April 2 at 21:30 – Universitario vs. River Plate (Copa Libertadores)
- April 5 at 20:30 – Sarmiento de Junín vs. River Plate (Torneo Apertura)
- April 8 at 21:30 – River Plate vs. Barcelona SC (Copa Libertadores)
- April 13 at 20:15 – River Plate vs. Talleres (Torneo Apertura)
- April 18 at 17:00 – Gimnasia vs. River Plate (Torneo Apertura)
- April 23 at 21:30 – Independiente del Valle vs. River Plate (Copa Libertadores)
- April 27 at 15:30 – River Plate vs. Boca Juniors (Torneo Apertura)
For head coach Marcelo Gallardo, the return of several key players from injury and international duty comes as a relief as they prepare for their match against Rosario Central. For the encounter against the Canalla, he expects to field a strong lineup featuring the returns of Germán Pezzella, Paulo Díaz, and Kevin Castaño, alongside the much-awaited comeback of Giuliano Galoppo and Matías Rojas.
Giuliano Galoppo, who has recently recovered from a sartorius muscle injury sustained 36 days prior, is eager to return to the pitch. His absence coincided with a notable dip in River’s midfield resilience since the team's last victory on February 16 against Lanús, where he played the full match before getting sidelined.
“I am back and ready to contribute to the team,” Galoppo stated, looking forward to easing back into the game. His pairing with Rodrigo Aliendro is anticipated to bolster the midfield significantly.
Additionally, Matías Rojas returns from a hamstring issue that had sidelined him earlier in the season. Coach Gallardo sees value in having Rojas’s skill set back, adding depth to an already versatile squad. “Matías brings a unique rhythm and a special dynamic to our play,” commented Gallardo.
Furthermore, there’s optimism surrounding Sebastián Driussi and Lucas Martínez Quarta, both expected to complete their rehabilitation from respective injuries just in time for this important matchup. They are anticipated to regain fitness and possibly provide coaching staff with enough confidence to include them in the match-day squad against Rosario Central.
Due to the compressed schedule, Gallardo will need to carefully manage player loads while navigating upcoming matches. With players returning from international obligations, speculation surrounds how they will adapt back to club life quickly after exertions with their national teams.
River Plate's approach will involve a careful balance of maintaining both squad health and morale, with matches against major rivals like Boca Juniors looming on the calendar. The Superclásico against Boca Juniors on April 27 will not only be crucial for league standings but also critical for fans who are expecting an extraordinary performance against their archrivals.
With fatigue a real concern and the high stakes of Copa Libertadores matches in the near future, Gallardo's focus will turn to strategy and preparation, aiming to maximize performance on the pitch. The upcoming weeks pose a significant challenge with each match being pivotal for River Plate's ambitions this season.
As the team readies itself, fans remain hopeful, anticipating that the blend of returning players and the existing squad can lead River Plate to success across the upcoming fixtures and in their quest for continental glory in the Copa Libertadores.
