Welcome to our round-up for the Gameweek ending 8th March 2021.
Lepers Abroad refers to the performances of ex-Newell’s players and coaches, along with well-known fans of Newell’s Old Boys, who now ply their trade outside of Argentina.
ENGLAND
Marcelo Bielsa‘s Leeds United were beaten 2-0 away to West Ham in the Premier League on 8 March.
SPAIN
Lionel Messi was Man of the Match in Barcelona’s 3-0 Copa Del Ray Semi-Final win over Sevilla on 3 March. Messi played the whole match, which went to extra-time.
On 6 March in La Liga, he provided both assists as Barcelona overcame Osasuna by a scoreline of 2-0.
Lucas Boyé played for 89 minutes in Elche’s impressive 2-1 win over Sevilla in La Liga on 6 March.
FRANCE
Mauricio Pochettino‘s PSG enjoyed two wins from two this week. In Ligue 1 on 3 March, they defeated his other former club Bordeaux 0-1 while on 6 March in the Coupe de France, they won 0-3 away at Stade Brest.
Mauro Icardi played a full 90 minutes in the 0-1 win at Bordeaux but was an unused substitute in the Coupe de France match on 6 March.
ITALY
Cristian Ansaldi played a full 90 minutes in Torino’s 4-2 defeat away at Crotone on 7 March in Serie A.
Fernando Forestieri made the bench after returning from injury in Udinese’s 2-0 win over Sassuolo on 6 March but didn’t get any game time.
NETHERLANDS
Lisandro Martínez‘s versatility has helped him secure his place back in the Ajax starting line-up after playing two full games last week. On 3 March, he started at left-back in Ajax’s 0-3 away win at Heerenveen in the cup while on 7 March, he was back in action again playing at centre-back in the Amsterdam team’s 3-1 win at home to Groningen in the league.
GREECE
Daniel Mancini played for 74 minutes in Aris’ 1-1 draw with Olympiacos in the Greek Cup (Olympiacos went through 2-3 on aggregate). On 7 March in the league, he provided an assist for fellow Argentine Facundo Bertoglio in the 2-2 draw between Aris & PAOK before being substituted on 86 minutes.
CYPRUS
Adrian Lucero played a full 90 minutes, picking up a yellow card in Paralimni’s 4-2 defeat to Karmiotissa on 5 March. Emanuel Dening was not in the squad.
MALTA
Federico Falcone came on half-time for Birkirkara and scored on 69 minutes to help them to a 0-3 away win at Tarxien on 6 March.
RUSSIA
Ezequiel Ponce scored a header for Spartak Moscow just five minutes after coming on as a 70th minute sub in their 6-1 thrashing of Krasnodar on 7 March.
SAUDI ARABIA
Ever Banega played a full 90 minutes and was yellow carded in Al-Shabab’s 1-1 draw with Al-Qadisiya on 5 March.
MEXICO
Nahuel Guzmán had a disappointing week playing in goal for Tigres. On 3 March, they lost at home to a single goal against Toluca (0-1). Away to Pueblo on 6 March, the FIFA Club World Cup finalists could only muster a draw (1-1).
Andrés Lillini looked to have turned a corner at Pumas, overseeing a 1-0 win over Santos Laguna on 4 March to break their 4 game losing streak. However, on 7 March, they lost again narrowly, going down 0-1 to a 93rd minute penalty awarded to Cruz Azul.
Santiago Solari’s Club América won 6 points from both of their games last week. On 3 March, they won 0-2 away at Club Tijuana while on 7 March, they defeated the champions Club Leon 2-1 at home. Solari’s side still trail Cruz Azul by two points at the top of the table but they look determined to challenge for the title.
ECUADOR
Victor Figueroa provided both assists in Aucas’ 2-2 draw with Orense. Francisco Fydriszewski played for 83 minutes in the game and was also involved in Aucas’ second goal.
PARAGUAY
Luis Leal started and played for 68 minutes in Sol de América’s 0-2 defeat to Olimpia on 6 March.
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