Lima vs. River Plate: Marcelo Gallardo's doubts in the starting eleven for Copa Libertadores 2022 duel

Alianza Lima will play tonight against River Plate a match valid for the first date of group F of the 2022 Copa Libertadores. It will be the debut for both teams in this edition, so they will be looking to start in the best way so as not to get complicated in the subsequent matches. In that sense, the coach of the visit, Marcelo Gallardo, still has doubts as to the starting eleven he will send at the National Stadium in Lima, according to information extracted from the newspaper 'Olé'.

To begin with, the Argentine squad arrived with all its arsenal to carry out this commitment. However, the coach will not be able to count on Paulo Díaz or José Paradela. The first is a fixed in the back for the 'Doll', so it is undoubtedly considered as a sensitive low. For this reason, Jonathan Maidana would play in his replacement, a historical from River who, at 36 years old, has won everything with the team and his experience will be fundamental. Leandro González-Pírez was another option, but the hierarchy of 'Joni' would make him title.

Then, the formation would be made up of the following players up to the defense sector: Franco Armani is the undisputed goalkeeper. Robert Rojas will go on the right back and Milton Casco on the left. David Martinez and Maidana would be the central defenders.

As for the midfield, it is where Gallardo's main unknowns would be. Enzo Pérez will be the central midfielder, leaving later Santiago Simon, Enzo Fernández and two players who will still play the position of left-handed steering wheel: Nicolás de la Cruz or Agustín Palavecino. In the case of the second, he is a footballer who this season has been used mostly in the complementary parts, although it was in the last match against Defensa y Justicia that he had a high level.

Now, 'Pala' is also listed as an alternative to accompany in the double point of attack with Julián Álvarez, the main figure of the 'Millionario'. However, Marcelo has another player in his sights for this position and it is Esequiel Barco, who has been a recurrent in the starting lineup, but who in the Superclassic against Boca Juniors suffered an injury that marginalized him from the match against Defensa y Juniors. However, being recovered, he could be an initialist. He has 1 goal and 1 assist in 7 matches this season, in addition to being a rather unbalanced element and a good companion for the 'Spider. '

MOMENT IN THE ARGENTINE LEAGUE

The moment for River Plate in Argentina's Professional Football League is one to highlight. And it is that he is in second place with 16 points, the same as Newell's Old Boys, but with better goal difference, and just 2 less than the leader Racing de Avellaneda. Also, except for the defeat to Boca Juniors, their previous defeat had been on February 12 by 1-0 to Unión de Santa Fe. Therefore, he will seek to expand this regularity of results against the 'Victorian' team in the continental tournament.

LAST PARTICIPATION OF COPA LIBERTADORES

River Plate is one of the teams that has constantly been the protagonist of the Copa Libertadores, reaching final stages. However, last season, they succumbed in the quarterfinals after losing to Atlético Mineiro of Brazil by an overall score of 4-0. In that sense, he will try to claim revenge in this edition.

LAST MATCHES

River Plate 3-0 Alianza Lima (Copa Libertadores 2019)

Lima 1-1 River Plate Alliance (Copa Libertadores 2019)

River Plate 2-0 Alianza Lima (Copa Libertadores 1998)

Lima 1-1 River Plate Alliance (Copa Libertadores 1998)

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