River Plate Seeks Respite in Crisis Against Undefeated Argentinos Juniors

River Plate is in dire straits as they prepare to face Argentinos Juniors on Sunday, desperately seeking their first victory of the semester to alleviate a severe sporting crisis. The team has endured a winless streak in the league, losing all four of their opening matches and currently sitting at the bottom of Group B in the Torneo Clausura 2026.

The pressure is mounting on coach Eduardo Coudet, whose position appears to be evaluated on a game-by-game basis. Including a Copa Argentina defeat, River has now lost five consecutive matches. With the Copa Sudamericana knockout stage looming against Independiente Santa Fe, the team's morale is low, and a loss against Argentinos Juniors would further deepen the crisis.

Adding to the challenge, the match against Argentinos Juniors is particularly significant as it marks the debut of Thiago Almada, River's record signing, who is expected to start. There is considerable anticipation surrounding the potential partnership between Almada and Ángel Correa, as the team seeks a much-needed injection of quality and creativity.

In stark contrast, Argentinos Juniors arrives at the Monumental stadium in peak form. They lead their group with a perfect 12 points, having won all their matches. Their recent 2-1 victory over Racing underscores their status as a championship contender. With no international competitions to distract them, their sole focus is on domestic success, making them a formidable opponent for a struggling River Plate.