Referee Andrés Gariano will officiate another Club Atlético River Plate match this weekend, following the controversy over an uncalled penalty in their last game. According to Ole, Gariano will be the head official for the match against Atlético Tucumán at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, a key fixture for the Millonario who arrive on a three-game winning streak and sit fourth in the table.
What happened in the match against Tigre?
The controversy stemmed from the 0-0 draw against Tigre in Victoria. At the 35th minute of the first half, Nahuel Banegas fouled Ángel Correa inside the penalty area. Andrés Gariano did not award a spot kick, and the VAR supported his decision after a review that took less than three minutes. The referee later explained that on the field he saw "a normal play situation, with two Tigre players against one from River, but normal development. In a contact sport, it's normal". He also clarified he was not invited to review the incident on the monitor.
What did the River Plate captain say?
Captain Nicolás Otamendi's reaction was forceful. The defender criticized the refereeing decision after the match, linking it to a pattern of unfavorable calls. "They are not calling the small fouls for us, there's the penalty situation, which in my view was clear." stated Otamendi. His words highlight the tension surrounding officiating decisions at a point in the season where every point is valuable. River Plate currently sits tenth in the Liga Profesional Argentina, with 10 points from 8 games, and is 7 points behind leaders Argentinos JRS.
What is River Plate's current context?
Martín Demichelis's team arrives at this fixture in good form. Their last result was a 3-1 victory over Independiente Rivadavia on September 6th. In their last five matches they have three wins and two draws, a positive run they aim to extend. With 10 goals scored and 9 conceded, their goal difference is narrow. The upcoming challenge, precisely against Atlético Tucumán, represents a direct clash against a rival occupying fourth place. Fans can follow the team's progress on our stats page and check the league standings to see the battle at the top.
What is expected from the match in Tucumán?
The stage will be the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in San Miguel de Tucumán, where River Plate will seek three points to climb closer to the top positions. Gariano's appointment adds an extra narrative layer to a match already important due to both teams' table placement. The River Plate coaching staff must prepare their players to focus on the game and overcome any officiating adversity. The squad, which can be reviewed in our player list, has the necessary experience to handle these situations. The match is scheduled for September 12, 2026.
