Leonardo Ponzio made his debut as head coach of Club Atlético River Plate in a 3-2 win over Banfield on August 30. The match, part of the seventh round of the 2026 Torneo Clausura, was played at the Florencio Sola stadium and marked the start of a new era for the Millionaires.
River Plate entered the fixture in a difficult spot, sitting 11th in the Liga Profesional Argentina with 7 points from 7 games. Their record showed 2 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses, having scored 7 goals and conceded 8. According to our stats data, the team's recent form read 1 win, 1 draw, and 3 losses in their last five outings.
What lineup did Ponzio choose?
For his first game in charge, Leonardo Ponzio selected Beltrán in goal. The defensive line consisted of Montiel, Otamendi, Martínez Quarta, and Acuña. In midfield, Vera, Andrada, Galván, and Almada were the chosen options. The attacking duo was made up of Correa and Driussi. This information was originally reported by onefootball.com.
The most notable absence was Aníbal Moreno, who was excluded from the squad due to a lower back muscle strain. Another unavailable player was Freitas, who was on the bench awaiting the finalization of his move to Brazil's Flamengo.
How do the absences affect the squad?
Aníbal Moreno's injury is a setback for River Plate's midfield at a key moment. The player is an important piece for ball recovery and distribution. Fans can follow the injury status of the squad on our dedicated injuries page.
Freitas's situation is different, as his departure appears imminent. His presence on the bench but outside the active matchday squad confirms the club is advancing with the transfer operation. This opens a spot in the roster that Ponzio and the board will need to evaluate how to fill.
What is the league context?
The win against Banfield allowed River Plate to collect three valuable points, though the team still trails leaders Argentinos JRS by 9 points. The victory broke a negative run of results and provides some breathing room in the standings, which you can check on our standings page.
The next challenge for Ponzio and his team comes on Saturday, September 6, when they host Independiente Rivadavia at the Monumental. The opponent currently sits sixth in the table, promising a demanding match. This fixture will be another test for the former midfielder's budding project. The team's full schedule is available on our fixtures page.
