River Plate will face Ciudad Bolivar in the 32nd round of the Argentine Cup on Tuesday without goalkeeper Franco Armani. The veteran shot-stopper continues to recover from a series of injuries and will miss his sixth consecutive game.

Armani’s Injury Timeline

Armani initially suffered a grade II adductor tear on January 4th, keeping him out of friendly matches against Millonarios and Peñarol. His recovery was then complicated by inflammation in his Achilles tendon, further delaying his return to action.

Beltrán to Continue in Goal

With Armani unavailable, Santiago Beltrán will once again start in goal for River Plate. While the team has conceded five goals in his last two appearances, the coaching staff remains positive about his performance. Ezequiel Centurión, recently recovered from a wrist injury, will serve as the backup goalkeeper.

“The impression behind closed doors with the 21-year-old is positive,”

Gallardo Cautious with Armani’s Return

Manager Marcelo Gallardo is taking a cautious approach with Armani’s recovery, prioritizing his long-term fitness. The club doesn’t want to risk re-injury, and a return to the squad for the match against Vélez next Sunday is considered more likely.

Armani’s current absence marks his longest stretch out of the lineup, surpassing a previous three-game absence in April 2019 due to a femoral biceps tear.

Looking Ahead

River Plate will hope to secure a win against Ciudad Bolivar as they begin their Copa Argentina campaign. The team is under pressure following two consecutive defeats, and a positive result could provide a much-needed boost.