Welcome to our round-up for the Gameweek ending 9 November 2020.
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 4-1 for the second consecutive week, this time going down to Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
SPAIN
Lionel Messi scored from the spot in Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Dynamo Kiev in the Champions League on 4 November. A few days later he was rested by manager Ronald Koeman but came off the bench to score twice for Barcelona, completely changing the game, in a 5-2 win over Real Betis. Barcelona still languish in mid-table but where would they be without La Pulga?
Lucas Boyé played a full 90 minutes for Elche who drew 1-1 with Celta Vigo on 6 November. He was yellow carded during the match.
FRANCE
Cristian Battocchio was a late 83rd minute substitute in Stade Brest’s impressive 3-2 win over Bielsa’s old side Lille.
ITALY
Cristian Ansaldi didn’t have enough time to make an impact in Torino’s 0-0 draw with Crotone. He came off the bench in the 89th minute.
Fernando Forestieri watched another Serie A scoreless draw from the bench as Udinese drew 0-0 with Sassuolo.
Nehuén Paz was an unused substitute in Bologna’s 0-1 home defeat to Napoli.
NETHERLANDS
Lisandro Martínez played a full 90 minutes in Ajax’s 1-2 win away at FC Midtjylland in the UEFA Champions League on 3 November but he was rested for their league game a few days later against Utrecht (0-3 win for Ajax).
Martínez received the good news this week that he has been called up to Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad for their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Paraguay and Peru.
RUSSIA
Ezequiel Ponce played for 81 minutes in Spartak Moscow’s 2-2 draw with Ural Yekaterinburg as they lost their place at the top of the Russian Premier League.
CYPRUS
Adrian Lucero and Emanuel Dening both played the full 90 minutes as their side Enosis Neon Paralimniou drew 1-1 with Ermis Aradippou in the Cypriot First Division.
SAUDI ARABIA
Éver Banega‘s Al-Shabab remained unbeaten in the Saudi Premier League and went to 2nd position. Banega started their 1-3 win over Al-Fateh at the weekend but came off after 52 minutes.
Cristian Lema played a full 90 minutes as Damac drew 0-0 with Al-Faisaly.
UNITED STATES
Franco Escobar and Milton Valenzuela went head to head in the MLS and it was Valenzuela’s Columbus Crew who came out on top, beating Escobar’s Atlanta United 2-1.
Valenzuela provided the assist for the Crew’s opener, setting up fellow Argentina Lucas Zelarayá
Escobar was then sent off in the dying moments for a second yellow card but clashed with a Columbus Crew fitness coach in a melee at the end. Rumours are abound that Escobar could return to Argentina soon.
MEXICO
Nahuél Guzmán started and played the full game in Tigres’ 1-1 draw against Bielsa’s old side Atlas.
Luis Leal‘s goal drought in Mexico means he has been left on the bench by Tijuana for recent games against Monterrey (5 November) and Querétaro (8 November)
Andres Lillini’s Pumas grabbed a valuable away win on 8 November, beating rivals Cruz Azul 1-2 to stay in 2nd position in the Liga MX.
ECUADOR
Victor Figueroa played a full 90 minutes as Aucas went down to a 4-2 defeat to league leaders Guayaquil City. Former Newell’s man Lisandro Alzugaray scored for Aucas.
Francisco Fydriszewski started and played a full 90 minutes for LDU Portoviejo but they were beaten 0-2 at home by Técnico Universitario.
Braian Rivero started and played for 76 minutes in Independiente del Valle’s 2-1 win over Deportivo Cuenca.
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