Newell’s Old Boys suffered a second defeat in a row in the league when they were beaten 1-0 by Independiente on Saturday night in Avellaneda.
Interim manager Adrián Coria welcomed back Juan Sforza, Julián Fernández, Cristian Lema and Cristian Ferreira to the side but the presence of this experienced quartet did little for the team’s cohesion and Fernández in particular did not look match fit.
A dull first half where both teams struggled to create chances made way for a second half that Independiente used to take control. Newell’s didn’t lack possession overall but had hugh difficulties when progressing into the final third of the pitch. So much so that it took 84 minutes to pass before Francisco González registered La Lepra’s first shot-on target of the match which Milton Álvarez easily saved. 22 minutes before that, Independiente scored the goal that would separate the sides when Leandro Banegas was in the right place at the right time to tap-in after Lautaro Morales palmed a Rodrigo Marquéz effort into his path.
It was a weak attacking performance from Newell’s, one that will have to improve to prevent a capitulation in terms of Copa Sudamericana qualification with just 6 games left in the season.
Watch the highlights of the match below.
