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ARGENTINA

Marcelo Gallardo loses several key players for the 32nd round of Copa Argentina

El Millonario won't be able to have some injured players and those drafted to their respective national teams ahead of the match against Ciudad de Bolívar for the 32nd round of the Copa Argentina

River debuts this Wednesday in the Copa Argentina against Ciudad de Bolívar at the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades in Santiago del Estero. For this match, the Millonario loses players drafted by their respective national teams. Who are they?

The only Argentine from River drafted is Germán Pezzella, since Gonzalo Montiel was injured after the match against Riestra. These are significant losses in the defense of the team led by Marcelo Gallardo, as he has very few alternatives for their positions. In addition to these departures, River will not be able to count on Lucas Martínez Quarta, torn right quadriceps, and Paulo Díaz, drafted with Chile to play against Paraguay and Ecuador.

Two players wearing Argentina jerseys celebrate on the field.
Pezzella and Montiel leave for the FIFA date | La Derecha Diario

In this situation, the only replacements for the central defense are Federico Gattoni and Leandro González Pirez, while for the right back position, Milton Casco, who has already played in this position despite being more comfortable on the opposite side, and Fabricio Bustos could appear.

Another player drafted for this FIFA date is the recently arrived Kevin Castaño. The Colombian, who was bought by River for 13.8 million dollars from Krasnodar in Russia, leaves to play against Brazil and Paraguay. His position could be filled by Giulano Galoppo, who is finishing recovering from his sartorius muscle strain.

A player smiles while showing his jersey with the number 22 in a stadium.
Kevin Castaño leaves with Colombia | La Derecha Diario

Beyond those drafted, River could recover some injured players only after their match with the Federal A team. Matías Rojas, with a grade one strain in the left hamstring, and Sebastián Driussi, also a tear in the left hamstring, could return for the weekend of March 29 and 30 to face Rosario Central.

River will be able to count on Mastantuono and Subiabre

Not all is bad news for the Núñez team. AFA allowed River to retain Franco Mastantuono and Ian Subiabre for one day, both drafted to the U-20 National Team.

The team led by Diego Placente will not have friendly matches and will focus solely on training with an eye on the category's World Cup in May in Chile, so the governing body of Argentine football allowed them to stay with the Millonario to play against Ciudad de Bolívar and then join the national team.

Two players wearing River Plate jerseys, one clapping and the other in action during a match.
Mastantuono and Subiabre can play against Ciudad de Bolívar | La Derecha Diario
➡️ Argentina

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