The squad faces a pivotal stretch of fixtures starting Sunday, August 16, following a challenging start to the domestic tournament.
The fixture congestion arrives as River navigates adjustments to its calendar, including a postponed Copa Sudamericana opening leg against Independiente Santa Fe in Bogotá, which was rescheduled following an earthquake in Colombia. That logistical shift has granted Coudet additional training time to evaluate his recovering roster, according to coverage from TyC Sports.
Marcos Acuña Nears Return for Continental Duty
Marcos Acuña, 34, is entering the final stage of his recovery from a right hamstring tear sustained on July 20 against Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata. According to club updates, the experienced left-back is targeting a re-appearance for the rescheduled Copa Sudamericana round of 16 first leg against Independiente Santa Fe, set for Wednesday, August 19, at El Campín in Bogotá.
TyC Sports notes that Coudet has limited alternative experience at left-back on the continental roster sheet, making Acuña’s potential return crucial for the defensive line.
Sebastián Driussi and Mauro Arambarri Recovery Timelines
Sebastián Driussi has yet to make his official debut this semester after suffering a right soleus tear during late pre-season training. The 30-year-old forward holds the strongest chance of returning to the pitch on Sunday, August 16, when River hosts Argentinos Juniors at the Estadio Monumental, pending final medical clearance.
Meanwhile, midfielder Mauro Arambarri is working to recover from a left ankle sprain sustained in the same match against Gimnasia following a challenge from Alexis Steimbach. Because Arambarri was not registered on the squad list for the Copa Sudamericana round of 16, his immediate return will be restricted to domestic competition, with a targeted comeback expected Sunday, August 23, against Vélez Sarsfield at the Monumental.
August Fixture Schedule
River’s demanding run of matches encompasses five encounters across two competitions:
- River vs. Argentinos Juniors: Sunday, August 16, 18:00 at Estadio Monumental (Torneo Clausura).
- Independiente Santa Fe vs. River: Wednesday, August 19, 21:30 at Estadio El Campín, Bogotá (Copa Sudamericana).
- River vs. Vélez Sarsfield: Sunday, August 23, 19:15 at Estadio Monumental (Torneo Clausura).
- River vs. Independiente Santa Fe: Wednesday, August 26, 21:30 at Estadio Monumental (Copa Sudamericana).
- Banfield vs. River: Sunday, August 30, 15:00 at Estadio Florencio Sola (Torneo Clausura).
As training sessions continue at the River Camp ahead of Sunday’s league encounter, further updates regarding medical clearances for Driussi and squad rotations will be issued by the club’s medical staff.
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