River Plate Faces Vélez in Crucial Match for Libertadores Spot

Buenos Aires, Argentina – River Plate will face Vélez Sarsfield this Sunday, November 16, at 5 p.m. in a critical match for their Copa Libertadores aspirations. The game will take place at the Estadio José Amalfitani, with Leandro Rey Hilfer refereeing.

Marcelo Gallardo’s team arrives in a challenging position, having lost nine of their last eleven matches across all competitions. This includes a painful 2-0 loss to Boca Juniors in the Superclásico, which has left them struggling for morale. The Millonario must win against Vélez to keep their hopes alive for a spot in next season’s Libertadores.

Currently, River is in fourth place in the annual table, which grants them a place in the Copa Sudamericana. However, to reclaim a Libertadores spot, they need to secure a victory over Vélez and hope Argentinos Juniors loses to Estudiantes. A victory by at least two goals could also provide a pathway to qualification, depending on other match results.

On the other hand, Vélez Sarsfield has already secured their spot in the knockout rounds of the Clausura but is coming off two consecutive losses. Their position in the annual standings means they cannot qualify for international tournaments unless they win the Clausura.

For this match, Gallardo faces a challenging situation with several key players unavailable. Paulo Díaz and Miguel Borja have been left out of the squad, while injuries have sidelined Maximiliano Meza and Facundo Colidio. Lucas Martínez Quarta and Marcos Acuña are suspended, and Kevin Castaño and Matías Galarza are with their national teams. Gonzalo Montiel will also not play, as he continues recovery from a knee injury.

River’s expected lineup includes Franco Armani in goal, with Fabricio Bustos, Juan Carlos Portillo, Lautaro Rivero, and Milton Casco in defense. The midfield will feature Giuliano Galoppo and Santiago Lencina, with Enzo Pérez returning after a long absence. The strike partnership will consist of Juan Fernando Quintero, Sebastián Driussi, and Maximiliano Salas.

Vélez will likely see Tomás Marchiori in goal, with a defense led by Jano Gordon and Thiago Silvero. The midfield will include Manuel Lanzini and Rodrigo Aliendro, while Maher Carrizo will support Dylan Godoy in attack. Francisco Pizzini is expected to replace the injured Matías Pellegrini.

This match promises to be a tense encounter, vital for River’s pursuit of a Libertadores spot and Vélez’s quest for confidence as they head into the playoffs.