Eduardo Coudet is expected to give Thiago Almada his official River debut against Argentinos Juniors at the Estadio Monumental, with the coach opting to use his strongest available lineup as River try to end a scoring problem.
The match comes at 18:00 hours and arrives with a strong backdrop. Almada returned from weeks of vacation after the World Cup with the Selección Argentina, then trained with River for a full week before this meeting. It is the kind of timing that suggests Coudet sees the moment as right to bring him in, rather than asking him to wait any longer.
Almada's debut could arrive at the right moment
River have a clear reason to be optimistic about the move. A player of Almada's quality gives the attack a different profile, and the club want him involved as they try to sharpen the final third. The expectation is that he will not be eased in gradually, but instead be trusted in a game that matters.
That is significant because River are not entering this fixture in isolation. They also have a midweek commitment in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 against Independiente Santa Fe, so Coudet's decision to strengthen the side now tells you how seriously he is taking this league match.
Argentinos Juniors arrive with momentum
The challenge is obvious. Argentinos Juniors come into the game unbeaten in the tournament, with four wins from four games, and that kind of form usually forces opponents to stay alert from the first whistle. River may be at home, but this is not a fixture they can approach casually.
So the broader picture is simple enough: River want goals, Coudet wants control, and Almada appears set for a first appearance in the manto sagrado. If he does start, it would be one of the key storylines of the afternoon in Núñez.
