Vélez - River Plate: Gallardo brings Armani and Driussi as River visits Liniers
River make the trip to Liniers on Sunday for Vélez’s tough test in the Torneo Apertura; the clash is listed as vélez - river plate in the matchday schedule and kicks off at 19: 15 in Argentina (5: 15 p. m. ET) with live coverage on Premium.
Projected XI and squad notes for vélez - river plate
Marcelo Gallardo has assembled a squad with both returns and absences for the sixth fixture of the Torneo Apertura. The probable River lineup names Franco Armani or Santiago Beltrán in goal; Gonzalo Montiel, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Paulo Díaz and Matías Viña across the back; Fausto Vera, Aníbal Moreno, Tomás Galván and Juanfer Quintero in midfield; and Agustín Ruberto with Facundo Colidio or Maxi Salas in the forward slots.
Franco Armani has completed his recovery from a calf tear and subsequent heel inflammation and was cleared to rejoin the group. Sebastián Driussi has also received medical clearance and is among the summoned players for the trip to the Estadio José Amalfitani. Marcos Acuña is not in the squad after missing several days of training due to a febrile illness; Matías Viña is expected to continue in the left fullback spot.
Defense stays intact; midfielders to repeat
The defensive quartet is set to mirror the back line used in the recent Copa Argentina match: Gonzalo Montiel at right back, Lucas Martínez Quarta and Paulo Díaz in the center, and Matías Viña on the left. The same midfield four — Fausto Vera, Aníbal Moreno, Tomás Galván and Juanfer Quintero — are slated to start, with Quintero projected to link the midfield to the attack.
River arrive buoyed by an agónico win in the Copa Argentina over Ciudad de Bolívar, a match decided by a late Juanfer Quintero goal that sealed qualification to the round of 16.
What Gallardo’s choices mean for the match
With Armani available for selection, Santiago Beltrán would lose a starting spot if Gallardo hands the veteran the goalkeeper position. The forward line still contains uncertainty: Agustín Ruberto is paired with Facundo Colidio or Maxi Salas to contest the two attacking roles listed in the probable XI. Sebastián Driussi’s return adds a fresh option among the forwards and the bench.
Vélez arrive in strong form in the same round: the home side is unbeaten and sits second in Zone A of the Torneo Apertura, while River go into the fixture amid mixed league form and a recent cup escape that halted a three-game winless streak in the championship.
The match is scheduled for Sunday, 22 February at 19: 15 Argentina time (5: 15 p. m. ET) at the Estadio José Amalfitani and will be broadcast on Premium. Postgame recovery and squad assessments are expected after the final whistle, with Gallardo set to announce any immediate changes for River’s next fixture following this trip to Liniers.
