This Thursday, River Plate will play against Barcelona from Ecuador in a crucial match to maintain their leadership in Group B of the Copa Libertadores. The match will be officiated by Colombian Wilmar Roldán and will take place at 21:30 at the Monumental Banco Pichincha stadium.
River arrives at this match as the group leader with five points, having obtained a victory against Universitario from Peru and draws with Barcelona and Independiente del Valle from Ecuador. Under the direction of Marcelo Gallardo, the team is coming off a positive streak after winning the Superclásico against Boca Juniors and thrashing Vélez 4-1 in their last appearance in the 2025 Apertura Tournament.
Regarding the "Millonario" team, the doubts lie in the defense, especially in the choice between Paulo Díaz or Germán Pezzella to accompany Lucas Martínez Quarta in the center of the defense, as well as in the competition between Gonzalo Montiel and Fabricio Bustos for the right-back position.
On the other hand, Barcelona is in third place in the group with four points, having achieved one victory, one draw, and one loss in the first three matches of the Copa Libertadores.
The probable line-ups for the match are as follows: - Barcelona: José David Contretas; Bryan Carabalí, Xavier Arreaga, Gustavo Vallecilla, Aníbal Chalá; Jesús Trindade, Leonai Souza; Jandry Gómez or Byron Castillo, Janner Corozo, Joaquín Valiente, and Octavio River. - River Plate: Franco Armani; Gonzalo Montiel or Fabricio Bustos, Germán Pezzella or Paulo Díaz, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Marcos Acuña; Kevin Castaño, Enzo Pérez, Giuliano Galoppo, Franco Mastantuono; Sebastián Driussi and Facundo Colidio.
