LIGA AFA
Newell’s Old Boys 1
Rosario Central 1
🏟️ Estadio Marcelo Bielsa, Rosario
Nicolás Castro’s third goal of the season earned a point for Newell’s in this season’s Clásico Rosarino against the Liga AFA’s bottom side.
In one of the most entertaining derbies in recent memory, both sides had plenty of chances to claim victory but a fine performance in goal from Alan Aguerre kept the away side at bay while the Canallas were fortunate that referee Andrés Merlos did not award an early penalty to La Lepra for a clear foul on Ignacio Scocco in the box.
With just 6 minutes gone, Central’s Zabala drew a magnificent save from Aguerre from point-blank range. The Newell’s number one had a sketchy game against Racing last week but made amends in Sunday’s Clásico with the Zabala save just one of a number of game-saving stops he pulled off.
Newell’s had plenty of possession in the first half but were dealt a blow half way through when Jonatan Cristaldo injured himself after beating two Central players and running through on goal, only to scuff a shot over the bar.
He was replaced by Ramiro Sordo who struggled at times to get into the game. The same can’t be said of new signing Maxi Comba on the right side of a three-man attack who tackled, fought and ran for every ball in a wholly impressive first Clásico appearance.
After a goalless first half, Central opened the scoring on 52 minutes when right-back Damián Martínez stormed in at the front post to head home from a corner.
It took Newell’s just 7 minutes to pull one back, Pablo Pérez rolling the ball to the edge of the box for Nicolás Castro to take one of his trademark placed long shots which took a deflection before beating Jorge Broun in the Central goal.
The game slowed down after the equaliser and neither side got too close to netting a winner. Newell’s centre-back pairing Cristian Lema and Facundo Mansilla did a good job of nullifying a number of Central attacks while the introduction of Justo Giani came a little bit too late for him to make any sort of impact.
The draw means Central break a four-game losing streak while Newell’s sit in 10th position in the Liga AFA, reaching 11 points from 7 games (3 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses).
