Union Santa Fe — River Plate : Match Preview and Prediction for August 29,2025

Union’s Arduous Path to the Round of 16

Let’s examine Union Santa Fe’s journey to this stage of the competition. The team managed to advance to the Round of 16 with considerable difficulty, overcoming Rosario Central only through a penalty shootout after a goalless draw in regular time. This immediately highlights their struggles in the attacking third. Recent results further dampen optimism: a 1-1 draw against Huracán in the league, followed by another 1-1 draw in the Santa Fe Cup against Atlético Rafaela, where they once again relied on the post-match lottery to secure progression.

Continental Exit and Acknowledged Inferiority

The Santa Fe-based squad has already been eliminated from the Copa Sudamericana at the group stage, a clear indicator of their performance level when facing stronger opponents. Coach Leonardo Madelón openly admits he is preparing a “tactical trap,” which in itself is an acknowledgment that his team simply cannot compete on equal terms with a footballing giant like River Plate.

Limited Squad Depth and Counter-Attack Reliance

Union is expected to field the same starting eleven as in their last league outing, with no surprises or reinforcements. They simply lack the squad depth that River Plate possesses. While they will undoubtedly rely on disciplined play and counter-attacks, such tactics are unlikely to be sufficient against Marcelo Gallardo’s well-oiled machine.

River Plate’s Clear Ambitions and Strategic Rest

Marcelo Gallardo has made it unequivocally clear that the Copa Argentina is one of River Plate’s primary objectives for the current season. In their previous league fixture against Lanús, he strategically rested his key players. Enzo Pérez, Ignacio Fernández, and Marcos Acuña were intentionally omitted from that matchday squad, ensuring they would be in peak physical condition for this crucial cup tie in Mendoza.

Unleashing River’s Potent Attacking Trident

The entire nation of Argentina eagerly anticipates this moment. For the first time this season, Gallardo is set to unleash his formidable attacking trident: Maximiliano Salas, Sebastián Driussi, and Facundo Colidio. Both Salas and Driussi have fully recovered from their injuries and are primed to devastate opposing defenses. This combination of forwards possesses immense power and offensive prowess that Union’s defense simply has not encountered before.

Dominant Form and Historical Advantage

River Plate enters this match in superb form, leading their championship group and having progressed to the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores. In the previous round of the Copa Argentina, they effortlessly dispatched San Martín de Tucumán with a commanding 3-0 victory. Adding to their advantage is a historical precedent: in the 2016 Copa Argentina, River already eliminated Union with a resounding 3-0 win, a match in which Sebastián Driussi, now back in action, notably scored one of the goals.