Eduardo Coudet's new cycle has already started with a setback. On the day of his presentation as coach of River, Chacho received confirmation that he will not be able to count on his captain for several weeks: Franco Armani will remain out, at least, until April
.
The world champion goalkeeper is having a start to 2026 plagued by physical problems. In the preseason he suffered a tear and, already in competition, he only played 45 minutes in the Apertura Tournament: it was in the 1-0 defeat against Vélez, a game in which he did not come out to play in the second half due to discomfort. In addition to the muscle injuries, there was persistent achileal tendonitis in the right leg, which did not allow him
to regain continuity. Armani will undergo treatment that leaves him out for a month
Faced with the recurrence of ailments, the medical body was forceful: almost 40 years old, the only way to achieve a full recovery is to slow down and aim for a specific job. With the endorsement of the leadership led by Stéfano Di Carlo, the goalkeeper traveled to Rosario, near his native Casilda, to carry out an intensive plan to strengthen his right calf and reduce inflammation in the
heel area.
The treatment will take three to four weeks. The idea is that he will gain muscle mass in the affected sector and definitely leave behind the relapses that marginalized him from almost all the commitments of the year. If the deadlines are met, it could reappear in the final stretch of the initial phase or in the possible playoffs, provided that the team
achieves qualification.
Meanwhile, the position will remain in the hands of Santiago Beltrán.
The youth player responded with good performances since his debut and will now have the responsibility of holding the goal in a moment of transition, just as the club seeks to leave behind Marcelo Gallardo's irregular second cycle and return to being competitive under the leadership of Chacho.Beltrán will continue to lead the River arc
For Coudet, who is just beginning his time in Núñez, the absence of a leader like Armani represents the first management challenge. The new River will have to be rearmed from the bottom, in the hope that its captain will return in full physical health to accompany the reconstruction
