River Plate's new star signing, World Cup champion Thiago Almada, watched from the bench as the team drew 0-0 with Independiente Santa Fe in the Copa Sudamericana round of 16 first leg in Bogotá. Coach Eduardo Coudet explained his decision to preserve the player, and the debate is just beginning.

The big question ahead of the round of 16 first leg in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana was whether River Plate's new marquee signing, Thiago Almada, would start or not. Eduardo Coudet's answer was emphatic: he began on the bench, and the decision is the talk of Argentine football.

Almada, who joined the Buenos Aires club from Atlético Madrid for €20 million, had just made his debut days earlier against Argentinos Juniors at the Monumental stadium, where he played a full 83 minutes. That level of exposure, combined with an incomplete pre-season after his holidays, was the main reason the coach decided to protect him in the high altitude of Bogotá. This was also reported by the main sports media in Argentina (La Página Millonaria, TyC Sports, TN), who had all anticipated his spot in the starting eleven.

What happened with the team?

River drew 0-0 at El Campín stadium in Bogotá (2,553 meters above sea level) on Wednesday August 19, 2026. The result leaves the door wide open for the second leg on August 26 at the Monumental in Buenos Aires, where any victory will see them through to the next stage.

The starting lineup showed an improvised defense, with Lucas Martínez Quarta as right-back, the only option because Gonzalo Montiel has a left adductor injury and Marcos Acuña has a right hamstring tear. In the back line, the central pairing was Nicolás Otamendi and young center-back Lautaro Rivero (a recent addition), with Facundo González on the left side.

The midfield featured Aníbal Moreno as the anchor, Tobías Andrada and Joaquín Freitas on the wings, and Tomás Galván as the attacking midfielder. In attack, Ángel Correa and Rafael Santos Borré were the forwards.

Key stat: The passing trio was low, but River's point was well taken for that altitude: Coudet preferred not to take risks.

Besides the tactics, there was one notable flashpoint: the clash between Coudet and Borré during the match. The coach shouted at the striker during a hydration break and later asked him to remove the microphones. According to Buenos Aires media, that incident could lead to a fine of up to USD 10,000.

Thiago's reading, with a focus on fitness

After coming on (a bit past the half-hour mark of the second half, replacing Borré), the Argentine did not manage to influence the game. TyC Sports journalist Rodolfo Cingolani was blunt: "Thiago was a man short in Colombia. There was no need to bring him in these physical conditions because he's clearly not ready. They must get him fit at River to avoid injuries."

The same source highlighted that in recent games, the best performer for River has been Tobías Andrada, formerly of Vélez, who has arrived with competition pace, in contrast to the case of the 2022 World Cup winner.

"All players need a preparation period, otherwise you risk an injury and that can be worse," the coaching staff had warned during the week.

Match facts

  • Date: August 19, 2026
  • Stadium: El Campín, Bogotá
  • Result: 0-0
  • Second leg: August 26, 21:30 local, at the Monumental
  • Injuries: Montiel, Acuña, Driussi