Argentinos Juniors were bottom-placed in the last Superliga league season and are now threatened by relegation (only seven points above the bottom four in the respective table). However, the team reached the Superliga Cup’s semi-finals, where they lost to Boca Juniors (in fact, their defeat in the return leg broke a seven-game unbeaten run in domestic competitions, with three wins and four draws). They managed two wins and two draws in four home matches in that tournament. Earlier this month, El Bicho was beaten by Colon on penalties in the Copa Sudamericana’s round-of-16.
River Plate was able to end up last league season in the fourth spot of the league table, which allowed them to qualify for the Copa Libertadores 2020. Then, they lost to Atletico Tucuman via the away goals rule in the Superliga Cup’s quarter-finals and lifted the Recopa Sudamericana title by beating Athletico Paranaense from Brazil. Earlier this month, they advanced to the Copa Argentina’s third round after overcoming second-tier side on penalties and also drew 0-0 against Cruzeiro at home in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores’ round-of-16 on Tuesday, which means coach Marcelo Gallardo will rotate his players.
There would be seven changes in the XI regarding Tuesday’s game against Cruzeiro. Only Franco Armani, Lucas Martinez Quarta, Nicolas De la Cruz and Julian Alvarez would stay.
River Plate has been struggling with injuries and now they have a tough game at Brazil midweek so they will use an alternative lineup, which means that Argentinos Jrs should be able to get something from this game at home.