River look to get back on track with a visit to the Libertadores de America where Deportivo Merlo will be the home team on paper only. 20,000 River fans will be in attendance to see River wear their new 110 year anniversary jersey. Kickoff is set for 6:10pm EST.
Matias Almeyda has confirmed the starting lineup to visit Merlo: Leandro Chichizola; Carlos Sánchez, Agustín Alayes, Jonatan Maidana, Juan Manuel Díaz; Cristian Ledesma, Nicolás Domingo, Martín Aguirre, Lucas Ocampos; Alejandro Domínguez and Fernando Cavenaghi.
Luciano Vella has surprisingly been left out of the game day squad, while Gustavo Bou will get a spot on the bench alongside Gonzalo Marinelli, Alexis Ferrero, Carlos Arano, César González, Andrés Ríos, and Rogelio Funes Mori.
River enter the game in second place overall, 2 points behind Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy.
River and Merlo, who have never played each other in an official game, are linked through one of River’s greatest ever players. José Manuel “El Charro” Moreno was a member of River’s famous “La Maquina” teams of the 40’s and considered one of the greatest Argentine players ever. Years later, 1977 to be exact, Moreno would become Merlo’s manager. Sadly, Moreno passed away the following year a few days after managing Merlo to victory. The club had gained the nickname “Los Charros” and to honor their fallen leader they renamed their stadium the Estadio José Manuel Moreno.
Merlo gained promotion to the B Nacional for the first time ever back in 2009. This season they find themselves right in the middle of the table, coming off a goalless draw with Quilmes. Merlo has only given up 2 goals this season, and on offense their primary weapon will be the counter attack. Alayes and Maidana will have their hands full with Maximiliano Barreiro, Merlo’s lone forward, as well as their top scorer this season Ramiro López.
Outlook: River will have to play a controlled and ordered game in order to get the three points. Almeyda is employing a fake back four as Sánchez will often race up the right side to join the attack. Merlo’s defense has been stingy so River will have to be patient, with Aguirre picking out Cavenaghi, Ocampos and El Chori on attack. With Sánchez playing more like a midfielder, the defense could potentially be outnumbered on a counter so Domingo and Ledesma’s defending in the midfield will be crucial. The other factor in River’s favor is the massive support they will have in the stands making this a virtual home game.
