River dries up
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 19.05.21. | 12:21
A devastating Covid-19 outburst among the Argentinean giants River Plate could see them play midfielder Enzo Perez in goal because all of their goalkeepers have tested positive to the coronavirus
You know something strange is going on when a midfielder goes to training before a big game and practices shot-stopping. It’s what’s happening to Enzo Perez and his team River Plate.
The Argentine club reported six more Covid-19 cases among players and staff on Monday, two days before their big Copa Libertadores group clash with Colombia's Santa Fe. The new cases came after 15 players tested positive ahead of Sunday's Argentinian League Cup game with arch-rivals Boca Juniors, won by Boca on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Former Valencia midfielder, Enzo Pérez, expected to start in goal tonight for Covid-hit River Plate in an important Copa Lib tie v Santa Fe.
— Fútbol es la leche (@futboleslaleche) May 19, 2021
CONMEBOL refused to sanction the use of an academy goalkeeper so Enzo has been taking the gloves in trainingpic.twitter.com/I3YImDoCeV
The outbreak means River coach Marcelo Gallardo currently has only 10 fit players -- and no goalkeeper -- available for the Libertadores game in Buenos Aires. The River has dried up!
The top four goalkeepers in River's 32-strong pool of players are all unavailable due to Covid-19, and South American Football Confederation rules do not allow additional names to be added to the squad for the Libertadores.
River said in a statement they had asked the Confederation (CONMEBOL) for special dispensation to include goalkeepers Leo Diaz and Agustin Gomez in their squad for the match against Independiente of Santa Fe early on Thursday morning. Diaz has only made his debut on Sunday.
River Plate midfielder Enzo Perez will be the starting goalkeeper for the Argentine side during tomorrow’s Libertadores match, after all four goalkeepers (registered in the tourney) tested positive due to a COVID outbreak.
— Franco Sui Yuan (@francosy) May 19, 2021
Vamoooooos ????❤️???? pic.twitter.com/3QnwqPfyBh
Although nothing has yet been made public, Media reports in Argentina said the request had been denied.
This left Gallardo with an unusual dilemma – which outfield player to pick as a goalkeeper.
Siempre. #JuntosSomosMásGrandes pic.twitter.com/CTL1SknslQ
— River Plate (@RiverPlate) May 19, 2021
Enzo Perez, former Valencia and Benfica central midfielder is likely to be fielded as makeshift goalkeeper when Independiente Santa Fe arrive to River’s Estadio Monumental. The 35-year-old former Argentina international will be given a difficult challenge. Let’s see if he’s up for it!
COPA LIBERTADORES
Group stage
Wednesday
Palmeiras - Defensa y Justicia 3-4 (2-2)
/Ze Rafael 11, Willian 35, Scarpa 75 - Bou 9, 27, Romero 90/
The Strongest - Santos 2-1 (2-0)
/Reinoso 16, Willie 23 - Felipe 64/
Nacional - Universidad Catolica 1-0 (1-0)
/Ocampo 29/
Universitario - Independiente Valle 3-2 (1-1)
/Valera 20, 48, Quina 72 - Sanchez 8, Ortiz 59/
Fluminense - Junior 1-2 (0-1)
/Hernandez 75 - Valencia 35, Cetre 50/
Sao Paulo - Racing Club 0-1 (0-1)
/Novillo 58/
Thursday
01.00: Sporting Cristal - Rentistas
01.00: Velez Sarsfield - Union La Calera
03.00: River Plate - Independiete Santa Fe
03.00: Flamengo - LDU Quito
03.00: Cerro Porteno - Atletico Mineiro
05.00: Deportivo Tachira - Always Ready
05.00: America de Cali - Deportivo La Guaira
Friday
01.00: Argentinos Juniors - Atletico Nacional
03.00: Olimpia - Internacional
03.00: Boca Juniors - Barcelona Guayaquil
