The right-back was injured in the match against Vélez and will be unavailable for the final part of the Torneo Clausura
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The final stretch of 2025 for River keeps accumulating setbacks. In the midst of an inconsistent campaign, with qualification for the Copa Libertadores at risk and a Marcelo Gallardo more questioned than ever, the team has added another problem to its list of setbacks: Fabricio Bustos suffered a muscle injury and will miss the play-offs of the Clausura Tournament.
The bad news came after the right back had to leave the field 20 minutes into the first half of the match against Vélez, when he had the chance to cover for the absence of Gonzalo Montiel. Visibly affected, Bustos gave his place to debutant Agustín Obregón, while images of the defender sitting on the bench, in tears and with ice on the affected area, anticipated the diagnosis.
Tests carried out this Monday confirmed the worst: tear in the inner calf of his right leg, an injury that will keep him off the field for three to four weeks, exactly during the knockout stage.
Bustos estará afuera entre 3 y 4 semanas
The timing could not be worse for Gallardo. To Bustos's absence is added the uncertainty regarding Montiel, who was not even drafted for the visit to Fortín to protect him from a knee sprain, and the absences of Maximiliano Meza (avulsion of the patellar tendon in his left knee), Facundo Colidio (tear in his left hamstring), and Germán Pezzella (anterior cruciate ligament).
Although the coaching staff's intention is for the world champion to reach the round of 16 to cover the right back position, there is no guarantee of his return to the field, and the team's defensive outlook is once again complicated.
River espera por la pronta recuperación de Montiel para los octavos de los playoffs
In an increasingly turbulent sporting context, River will face the play-offs with less margin for error to qualify for the next Copa Libertadores and with a defense that, once again, will have to readjust on the fly.
