Club Atlético River Plate returns to Banfield's Estadio Florencio Sola this Sunday for the first time in three years, in a key match for the Torneo Clausura and the annual table. The last meeting there, in September 2023, ended in a 1-1 draw with goals from Pablo Solari and Ignacio Rodríguez. Since then, the Millonarios have undergone a transitional period with several managerial changes while aiming to improve their current 14th place standing in the Liga Profesional Argentina, with 4 points from 6 games.
How did River fare on their last visit?
River Plate's last match at Banfield was on June 12, 2023, and that night they secured a convincing 4-1 victory. Lucas Beltrán scored a brace, while Pablo Solari and Salomón Rondón completed the rout. Banfield's consolation came from Milton Giménez, now at Boca Juniors, from the penalty spot. However, the subsequent visit in September of the same year had a more modest outcome. The game ended 1-1, with Solari opening the scoring in the 23rd minute and Rodríguez equalizing in the 65th. That was the last direct precedent between the two in the southern suburbs.
Who managed River then and what happened next?
In that September 2023 draw, River Plate's manager was Martín Demichelis. His tenure ended in late July 2024, following a 1-0 win over Sarmiento at the Monumental where 16-year-old Franco Mastantuono scored a last-minute free-kick goal. He was succeeded by Marcelo Gallardo, who began his second spell as the club's coach. Gallardo remained until February 2026, when his final match was a 1-0 loss to Vélez Sarsfield.
The replacement was Eduardo Coudet, who took over during the Torneo Apertura. Under his direction, River reached a final but lost 3-2 to Belgrano in Córdoba, and also suffered eliminations from the Copa Argentina and the Copa Sudamericana. Following these results, Coudet decided to step aside. Currently, the interim in charge is Leonardo Ponzio, who is trying to steady the ship after the recent Sudamericana elimination by Independiente Santa Fe.
What is River's current situation?
River Plate faces this match with an urgent need for points. The team sits 14th in the Liga Profesional standings, with a record of one win, one draw, and four losses from six matches. Their goal difference is negative (-2), having scored 4 and conceded 6. In the title race, they are 9 points behind leaders Argentinos JRS. Their last result was a 2-2 draw against Vélez Sarsfield on August 23, and their form over the last four games has been mixed (1W-1D-2L).
The clear objectives for the rest of the season are to qualify for the 2027 Copa Libertadores and fight for the championship. Every point in the Clausura and the annual table is vital. The squad, which you can review on our squad page, needs to find consistency quickly. As Emiliano Díaz said: "River is the White House, it's time to unite."
What does this match mean for the season?
The clash against Banfield represents an opportunity to break a difficult run and start accumulating points for international qualification. After this game, River will have a week of work before hosting 10th-placed Independiente Rivadavia on September 6. Check the upcoming schedule on our fixtures page. The trip to Florencio Sola, after three years, is not just another match; it's a test for Ponzio's interim team and a necessary step in the search for the stability the club needs to achieve its goals this season.
