Fútbol Argentino
Ponzio assesses low-minute options to reshape River's defense against Racing
River's coaching staff is already looking ahead to the clash with Racing and is weighing options in a sensitive area: Martínez Quarta will be out, and two alternatives have emerged that have seen very few minutes. On the eve of the game, there was also movement at the Camp with a defender who returned to the club to play against Leo Ponzio's side's reserves.
The River plan for the next matchday has already begun to take shape in the most delicate area of the pitch. With Martínez Quarta ruled out of the clash with Racing, Leo Ponzio is considering alternatives that have had little game time and that the coaching staff has already tested in training against Ferro.
Defensive options for a demanding match
According to the information available, River's coach gave minutes against Ferro to:
- a young signing who had not yet been used;
- a left-footed center-back who had played just 2 minutes against Banfield.
The goal is clear: find a reliable answer in an area that will be altered by the absence of Martínez Quarta for the showdown with Racing.
A return that also shook up the internal picture
At the same time, there was another scene linked to the squad: a defender who had left CARP with his registration in hand returned to the Camp to face the reserves of Ponzio's team in the rehearsal against Ferro.
That return is part of the overall movement running through the Millonario squad, where the coaching staff continues to adjust pieces as an important fixture on the calendar draws closer.
What lies ahead for River
River's focus is on figuring out how to replace Martínez Quarta without losing solidity. For now, the coaching staff is working with low-minute options and there is no confirmed decision ahead of the match with Racing.
The training session made it clear that Ponzio is willing to look within the squad before turning to more predictable solutions. With the championship entering a decisive stage, every test counts and every minute matters.
