There is a low rumble of nervousness starting to be heard around the club as River is coming off another listless performance that ended in a draw. Players and coaches have repeated this week in the press that the last thing the team needs to do is panic. They argue that the season is a very long one and they are hopeful to turn things around next game.
The week started with reporters asking if Matias Almeyda would continue as manager. Surely it is a bit premature to start thinking of a coaching change but in any case, Almeyda assured everyone he has no intention of going anywhere. However, it does look like he will be making a few changes to the team, including a return of Luciano Vella who did not play last week due to injury. Almeyda will also address the midfield, removing Nicolás Domingo and Cristian Ledesma, not only from the starting 11, but also from the game day roster. Vella, Alexis Ferrero and Ezequiel Cirigliano look likely to take the places of Agustín Alayes, Ledesma and Domingo.
Luciano Abecasis has recovered from a knee injury that has kept him out of the team for 3 weeks. It is unlikely he will be included on the gameday roster as the staff wants him back in playing form before risking another injury.
For the second straight week, River Plate will debut a new jersey. This time it is the new alternate shirt that returns to the historic tri-color stripes. Click here to see the new jersey.
After two games behind closed doors, the match against Gimnasia La Plata will mark the return of the River supporters. The game will be played at San Lorenzo as the Monumental is still banned for three home matches.
Alejandro Toia will be the referee in charge of the game against Gimnasia. The last time Toia refereed a River match was in 2008 when La Banda drew with Estudiantes 1-1.
This past Wednesday was Fernando Cavenaghi’s 28th birthday. Later in the week it also emerged that Cavegol may not be fit in time for Saturday’s game.
General admission tickets to see River host Gimnasia sold out in a matter of moments through an online sale. Many doubt that 20,000 tickets can be sold in a matter of minutes when the site itself is clearly incapable of handling the enormous demand. Fans are again pleading for reform in the way tickets are sold.
Ex-River legend Enzo Francescoli stated that if anyone thinks he could be of help at the club, he would make himself available. This is in response to club President Daniel Passarella’s call for dialogue with members of the opposition.
Ferro Carril Oeste has asked to play their home game against River at San Lorenzo for the 8th round of the B Nacional. This will ensure River is allotted at least 18,000 tickets and, as happened last week against Merlo at Independiente, will likely outnumber the home team fans.
