Atlético Tucumán v Newell’s Old Boys
Copa de la Liga 2021
29th March 2021
🏟️ Estadio José Fierro, Tucumán
Germán Burgos, who has had nine days to prepare his Newell’s Old Boys players, will be hoping that he can build on last weekend’s 0-0 draw against Unión when La Lepra go away to Atlético Tucumán on Monday night.
In the opposite dugout will be a manager that knows Newell’s all too well. Tucumán manager Omar de Felippe was the head honcho at La Lepra for 8 months in 2018. The former Malvinas veteran presided over an underperforming period in the recent history of Newell’s and was dismissed after a Clásico Rosarino defeat to rivals Rosario Central in the Copa Argentina.
He had been out of football since his departure from Newell’s in November 2018 before being hired by Atlético Tucumán at the start of 2021. With 7 games played, it’s been a mixed start for De Felippe, with El Decano picking up 1 wins, 2 losses and 3 draws. They’ve also secured up a win under De Felippe in the Copa Argentina but that came against lowly Club Comunicaciones of the Primera B.
Three points currently separate Newell’s and Atlético Tucumán at the bottom of Group B of the Copa de la Liga but the home side have scored six more goals than the Lepers in the competition. The teams have similar defensive records but the likes of Ignacio Scocco (2 goals in 12 since returning to Newell’s) and Jonatan Cristaldo will have to improve their strike rate if Burgos is going to get the team firing again.
Against Unión, the team defended well as a unit, but there was still something lacking up front. If the goals are going to come for Newell’s, facing a team like Atletico Tucumán who have conceded in every game in the competition so far, provides no better opportunity.
Yonathan Cabral will be facing his old club for the first time since signing for Newell’s in February.
Atlético Tucumán v Newell’s Old Boys Team News
In a press conference last week, Germán Burgos pledged to make one change from the team that drew against Unión with Manuel Llano set to come in for the injured Justo Giani.
Substitute keeper Ramiro Macagno has been ruled out with illness.
Matías Orihuela, Braian Rivero, Mariano Bíttolo, Franco Escobar, Francisco González and Santiago Gentiletti are all on the long-term injury list.
The expected Newell’s XI is: Aguerre, Negri, Lema, Cabral, Capasso, Pérez, Sforza, Llano, Maxi, Cristaldo, Scocco.
Atlético Tucumán will have to do without Fabián Monzón, Leonardo Heredia and Franco Mussis who are all injured. The home side are likely to line-up with a centre-back partnership that are both former Newell’s players: Santiago Vergini and Guillermo Ortiz.
📺 Watch Atlético Tucumán v Newell’s Old Boys on Monday 29th March: Live on Fanatiz
⏰ Kick-off: 21.15 ARG | 01.15 UK (Tues)
