Main Photo: Roberto Tuero
Newell’s Old Boys broke Racing Club’s 10-game winning streak on Sunday afternoon in Avellaneda becoming the first team to take points from La Academia since River Plate in February.
The defensive performance from La Lepra was heroic and it seemed like beggar’s belief that the game remained goalless when the half-time whistle was blown. Fernando Gago’s Racing dominated the first 45 minutes, totting-up 12 shots on goal to a single Newell’s effort from Panchito González. Iván Arboleda, back in favour with Ramiro Macagno injured, made some crucial saves in the opening period, while our central defence partnership of Cristian Lema and Willer Ditta held strong under pressure.
The second-half was a much more competitive affair and Nicolás Castro nearly put Newell’s ahead in spectacular fashion on two occasions. The Newell’s playmaker tested Racing’s keeper Gómez twice in quick succession, hitting two curling drives from outside the box and forcing impressive saves from the home guard.
With a quarter of an hour remaining, Giani and Reasco both had good opportunities to steal a win for Newell’s but Gómez was on-form and couldn’t be beaten. Javier Correa could have won it late on for La Academia but fluffed a huge close-range chance.
The draw felt like a win for Newell’s when the final whistle sounded. Javier Sanguinetti can be proud of a defensive performance that was propped up by a magnificent Ditta/Lema showing and a place in the quarter finals of the Copa de la Liga now stays within reach for The Lepers.
Watch the highlights of the match below.
