The River charter went to Brazil with a vacant seat and for Marcelo Gallardo it signified an unexpected imbalance and, consequently, a new headache, in the very decisive part of the semester.

After the last practice before Thursday’s game against Fortaleza, the club confirmed that Matías Suárez had a strain on his right soleus, where he was dismissed from the delegation that traveled to the Brazilian northeast and will have a break. between 10 and 15 days.

In this way, Suárez will not only miss the duel in Fortaleza, but also Sunday’s match against Platense, the League Cup quarter-final (it will be played next Wednesday) and, possibly, the semifinal (the Week 15), in case River advances.

With Esequiel Barco’s return, Gallardo drank Suárez’s minutes. He hasn’t been a starter against Colo-Colo and Sarmiento yet, but in two games he was determined when he could get in. In Chile, he appeared at the end to convert and pave the way to a victory, while in Junín he was key to Santiago Simón’s goal play, which formed the clearance that ended in a youthful shot.

It reflects what Suárez means to Gallardo’s team, whether he’s a starter or a replacement. And it will be a sensitive loss, in the sense only of the Libertadores ’group F and the decisive chances of the Professional League Cup.

In case the recovery takes place within the set deadlines, he will have the opportunity to play on the last date against Colo Colo (5/19) and be available for the hypothetical final of the local tournament (5/22).

Suárez’s muscle injury is linked to Juanfer Quintero (recovering from a left hamstring tear), Jonatan Maidana (right adductor strain), Javier Pinola (recovering from a right hamstring strain) and Barco (he has returned to play. after the torn right biceps femoris.).

When he goes through a great gift and rises to his game, the distension will force Suárez to stop. And for Gallardo it represents more than just a free seat on an airplane …