Newell’s Old Boys were deserved winners in a magnificent win over 2nd-placed Gimnasia on Sunday afternoon at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa.
With only a handful of first-teamers available in the face of an ongoing injury crisis, the players picked to play by interim manager Adrián Coria looked like they were here to play from the start and went on the front foot early on.
19-year-old debutant Marcelo Esponda thought he’d scored a dream debut goal with just 12 minutes on the clock but an offside Juanchón Garcia had interfered with the goalkeeper’s line of sight and the goal was ruled out.
With half an hour gone, Gimnasia gifted Newell’s an opener when Piris calamitously shinned a Juan Garro cross into his own net. Soon after, Brahian Alemán drew a great save out of in-form Lautaro Morales as the away team looked to equalise immediately.
But just ten minutes after the own goal, The Lepers had a two-goal lead with Ecuadorian youngster Djorkaeff Reasco scored an absolute golazo from nearly 40 yards, sending the stadium into raptures.
The closest Gimnasia got to equalising in the second-half was Franco Soldano’s long-range shot cracking off the post.
Newell’s continued to attack throughout the match, constantly putting Gimnasia under pressure. Captain Juan Sforza put in another mature performance, youngster Brian Aguirre continued to show his raw talent as an attacker and the returning Gustavo Velázquez brought a sense of calm to the inexperienced Newell’s backline.
Watch the highlights of the match below.
