River's new signing has overcome tendinitis, although he will need to reach full physical fitness before making his debut in the Millonario jersey
In this regard, despite having received the green light from the medical staff, Gallardo won't include him in the squad list for the upcoming matches. The coach believes that the player needs between seven and ten days of specific work to reach the same physical level as his teammates.
Since the beginning of the second half of the season, Marcelo Gallardo has had to deal with a string of injuries at River. Between severe sprains, muscle discomfort, and tendinitis, the squad has suffered the consequences of a demanding schedule. However, amid so many absences, River received good news: Juan Carlos Portillo has been medically cleared.
The midfielder, who can also play as a center back, joined the club last transfer window from Talleres. However, he couldn't make his debut immediately due to tendinitis in his right quadriceps, an injury he arrived with from Córdoba.
His last official match was on May 27, 2025, when la T faced São Paulo in the group stage of the Copa Libertadores. Since the Córdoba team didn't advance to the round of 16, the player remained inactive until the start of the Clausura, but he decided not to participate in the first matches while his transfer to Millonario was being finalized.
If that period is met, the former Talleres player won't be present this Saturday against Independiente for the fourth matchday of Zone B of the Torneo Clausura, a match that will be played in Avellaneda starting at 6:30 p.m. He also won't be an option for the first leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16 against Libertad, in Paraguay, on Thursday, August 14. Everything indicates that his first draft could take place on August 17, when River hosts Godoy Cruz.
In addition to Portillo, this Wednesday Lautaro Rivero has also been cleared. Meanwhile, Sebastián Driussi, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Maxi Meza, and Maximiliano Salas remain in recovery. The goal is for Driussi to be available for the first leg against Libertad, while Martínez Quarta and Salas aim to be available for the second leg. Meanwhile, Meza has two more months of recovery after undergoing surgery for chronic patellar tendinopathy.
