Very bad news for River: Rafael Santos Borré has been isolated preventively for having been in close contact with a positive Covid-19 case.
The player and the club confirmed the news on Friday. According to protocol, the Colombian footballer must remain separated from the team for about four or five days until it is confirmed whether he has contracted the coronavirus or not. This means that Marcelo Gallardo will not be able to count on him this Saturday against Rosario Central, and he is in serious doubt for his call-up with the national team in the South American Qualifiers next week.
The River Plate team has had no positive cases in recent tests.
The absence of the forward adds to that of Nacho Fernández, who suffered a muscle tear in the defeat against Banfield last Tuesday.
Borré is going through a situation similar to what Marcelo Gallardo experienced the previous week when he had to isolate himself due to close contact with a Covid case.
Now, River's coach will have to decide who will replace Borré: according to SportsCenter specialist Javier Gil Navarro, the top candidate is Lucas Pratto. The team will train on Friday afternoon, but there was no plan for a formal match.
Meanwhile, Santiago Sosa would be the one to replace Nacho Fernández. The rest of the lineup would remain unchanged from the team that lost on Tuesday: Armani; Montiel, Paulo Díaz, Pinola, Casco; Sosa, Enzo Pérez, De la Cruz; Álvarez, Pratto, and Matías Suárez.
River will host Rosario Central on Saturday at Independiente Stadium, at 9:15 PM, for the second round of the Copa Liga Profesional.
ℹ️ [Medical Report] The player Rafael Borré has been isolated preventively because he was in contact with a person who later tested positive for COVID 19. Once the appropriate time has passed, the corresponding tests will be carried out.
— River Plate (@RiverPlate) November 6, 2020