Jorge Almirón is betting on continuity over caution. Despite a grueling physical toll and a calendar that offers precious little recovery time, the Rosario Central manager intends to field an unchanged starting lineup for Saturday’s high-stakes clash against River Plate at the Monumental.
The decision comes in the wake of a draining quarter-final victory over Racing, a match that pushed the “Canalla” to their limits in extra time and left the squad embroiled in post-match controversy. Now, as Central prepares for the first leg of the Torneo Apertura 2026 semifinals, Almirón is prioritizing the psychological momentum of a winning unit over the immediate need for rotation.
The Rosario Central vs River Plate lineup is expected to mirror the eleven that secured the win against Racing, a move that signals Almirón’s trust in his core group’s ability to withstand the pressure of one of Argentina’s most intimidating atmospheres. The team conducted its final preparations this Friday at the club’s training complex in Arroyo Seco before beginning their journey to Buenos Aires.
Managing the physical toll of the Racing clash
The primary concern surrounding Almirón’s strategy is the fatigue factor. The victory over Racing was not merely tactical but an endurance test, stretching into supplementary time and leaving several key players visibly exhausted. In professional football, the window between a 120-minute knockout match and a semifinal is often where injuries occur, yet the coaching staff appears confident in the squad’s current conditioning.
By refusing to “touch” the lineup, Almirón is leaning into the chemistry developed during the knockout stages. This approach has served the team well through the round of 16 against Independiente and the subsequent battle with Racing, creating a cohesive defensive block and a synchronized attacking transition that the manager is reluctant to disrupt.
The race for fitness: Campaz and Fernández
While the starting eleven may remain static, Almirón is working urgently to expand his bench. The manager is seeking “soldiers” to provide tactical flexibility that was lacking in the previous rounds, specifically targeting the return of two key personnel: Jaminton Campaz and Julián Fernández.
The medical staff is currently evaluating both players to determine if they can be included in the official squad list, which is due for release this Friday. The timelines for their recovery differ significantly:
- Jaminton Campaz: The Colombian winger is recovering from a muscle injury sustained approximately 10 days ago. His inclusion depends on how he responds to the final fitness tests.
- Julián Fernández: The former New York City FC midfielder has had a longer recovery window, having been sidelined for two weeks. His return would provide much-needed stability and distribution in the center of the pitch.
The urgency to include these players stems from a recognized need for more variants. In the previous matches against Independiente and Racing, the lack of high-impact substitutes limited Almirón’s ability to shift gears in the final thirty minutes of play.
Tactical Breakdown: The Probable XI
The expected formation emphasizes a balance between defensive solidity and the creative brilliance of Ángel Di María. The return of Jeremías Ledesma to the Monumental in goal adds a layer of psychological familiarity to the backline, which will be tasked with neutralizing River’s potent home attack.
The attacking partnership of Alejo Véliz and Enzo Copetti remains the focal point of Central’s offensive strategy. Véliz provides the physical presence and hold-up play, while Copetti’s movement off the ball creates the spaces necessary for Di María to operate as the primary playmaker.
The probable lineup for the encounter is as follows:
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Jeremías Ledesma |
| Defense | Emanuel Coronel, Ignacio Ovando, Gastón Ávila, Agustín Sández |
| Midfield | Enzo Giménez, Franco Ibarra, Vicente Pizarro |
| Creative | Ángel Di María |
| Attack | Alejo Véliz, Enzo Copetti |
The challenge of the Monumental
Facing River Plate at the Estadio Mâs Monumental is widely regarded as one of the toughest assignments in South American football. For Rosario Central, the objective will be to weather the initial storm of the “Millonario” press and utilize the precision of Di María to launch counter-attacks.
The decision to stick with the same eleven suggests that Almirón believes the current group possesses the mental fortitude to handle the hostile environment. The synergy between the back four—Coronel, Ovando, Ávila and Sández—will be critical in maintaining a clean sheet or limiting the damage before the second leg.
As the team departs for Buenos Aires, the focus remains on discipline and energy conservation. The final squad list released this evening will confirm whether Campaz and Fernández are fit enough to support the starters in what promises to be a grueling 90 minutes.
The next official checkpoint will be the confirmation of the starting lineups approximately one hour before kickoff on Saturday. Following the match, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) will provide the official match report and disciplinary updates.
What do you think of Almirón’s decision to ignore the fatigue and stick with the same XI? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
