River preps for Atletico Tucuman on Saturday with just one lineup question to sort out

After picking up all three points against Independiente Rivadavia, River is already looking ahead to its next challenge: Atletico Tucuman, on Saturday, September 12 at 5:30 PM, at Estadio Monumental Jose Fierro, for matchday nine of the Torneo Clausura.

The "Decano" comes in on a hot streak, which forced Ponzio to plan the week carefully. First priority: making sure the players' bodies hold up. Only then can the focus shift to the opponent. That's why the squad had Tuesday off before returning to training this Wednesday at River Camp.

On Monday, just a day after the win at the Monumental, work was split into two tracks. Players who started the match did regenerative work designed to ease the strain of the effort. Those who saw less action, meanwhile, played a friendly against All Boys to keep their competitive rhythm up. It's a familiar approach when the schedule gets tight and there's no room for anyone to fall out of game shape.

Juan Patricio Balbi reported it on Buen Dia ESPN: this Wednesday marks a return to full group training, and Ponzio will have Thursday and Friday to finalize the team that travels to Tucuman. Time is tight, but it's enough to settle the one real question hanging over the lineup.

The Anibal Moreno question

That question has a name: Anibal Moreno, who is dealing with a lower back issue and will be evaluated day by day through Friday before it's confirmed whether he's fit to be included. If the midfielder doesn't make it, there isn't much mystery to what comes next: Ponzio would go back to the lineup that delivered wins over Banfield and Independiente Rivadavia, with no forced changes.

So how would River line up at the Fierro? The likely eleven would have Santiago Beltran in goal; a back four of Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Otamendi, Lucas Martinez Quarta and Marcos Acuna; Fausto Vera as the holding midfielder, flanked by Tobias Andrada and Tomas Galvan; further up, Angel Correa and Thiago Almada running the attack, with Sebastian Driussi as the lone striker.

It's ultimately a setup that has already shown its solidity over the last two matches, and one Ponzio would have little reason to change unless Moreno's recovery tempts him into tweaking the midfield. The short week helps in that regard: with no game in between, there's more time than usual to work on tactical details ahead of a rival that's arriving in good form.