La Derecha Diario Gonzalo Montiel is out for the double date of South American Qualifiers.
River's right-back suffered a tear in his left calf and will miss the matches against Uruguay and Brazil
The latest matchday left worrying news for the Argentina National Team. From River, it was confirmed that Gonzalo Montiel suffered a tear that will sideline him from both the draft and the local scene, as well as the Libertadores debut.
Although River hasn't issued an official medical report yet, the studies conducted confirmed that both Montiel and Facundo Colidio ended up injured after the match against Riestra. In the case of the right-back, the problem is located in the left calf, while Colidio suffered a tear in the right adductor. Both will be out of action for at least 20 days.
Montiel's absence creates a dilemma for Lionel Scaloni, who will have to decide whether to draft a replacement or face the matches with the available players. In the current list, the only natural right-back is Nahuel Molina, although Juan Foyth could be an emergency alternative due to his experience in that position.
Dybala raises alarms and Cuti Romero brings reassurance
Beyond Montiel's case, the National Team is closely monitoring the situation of Paulo Dybala, who raised alarms after his participation in Roma's match against Cagliari. The Cordoban entered in the second half but could only play ten minutes before leaving with muscle discomfort. After an attempt at a backheel, he grabbed his left thigh and collapsed on the field, causing concern. Although his coach, Claudio Ranieri, stated that the pain was "in the back," Dybala's image generates uncertainty about his physical condition.
In contrast, the situation of Cristian "Cuti" Romero seems to be a false alarm. The Tottenham defender was substituted in the defeat against Fulham, which sparked speculation about a possible injury. However, after the match, it was confirmed that his substitution was planned to manage workload, so he won't have issues playing the double qualifying date.
With several fronts open, the Albiceleste's coaching staff is closely monitoring the progress of the injured players and evaluating possible changes in the draft ahead of two key matches on the road to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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