Sebastián Romero settled Racing's last two lineup doubts a day before the trip to River, with Ezequiel Cannavo moving ahead of Juan Barinaga at right back and Alejandro Tello emerging as the likeliest midfield choice.
The decision landed at the right time for Racing, which is heading into River at the Estadio Monumental under pressure and with little margin left in the table. Cannavo is expected to join Mateo Martínez, Gonzalo Escudero and Ignacio Rodríguez in defense, while the projected midfield would be Matías Zaracho, Matías Kranevitter, Tello and Gastón Lodico, with Adrián Martínez and Tomás Conechny up front.
That is a notable turn from the classic against Independiente, when Barinaga started at right back. This time, Romero appears to have leaned toward a different balance in the back line and midfield, even if Tello still reads more as the most probable option than a completely locked-in starter.
Racing's situation gives every selection call extra weight. The team is outside the playoff qualification zone and has no route to an international cup through the annual table, so the draw with Independiente and the controversy that followed with Alfonso Espino only sharpened the scrutiny around the squad, the board and the fans.
Unless Romero changes course at the last moment, Racing will arrive at the Monumental with a projected XI already clear and only the final confirmation of Tello's place left to settle. The next answer comes on the pitch, where the lineup he chose will have to hold up against River.
