FRIENDLY
Newell’s Old Boys 3
Sarmiento de Junín 0
🏟️ Estadio Marcelo Bielsa, Rosario
Sebastián ‘Tucu’ Palacios scored a brace as an experimental Newell’s Old Boys side comfortably beat Sarmiento de Junín in a friendly at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa today (13 October).
Palacios and Pablo Pérez were both named by manager Frank Kudelka in a Newell’s side for the first time since March after sitting out the previous three friendly matches played in recent weeks. Apart from the presence of Fontanini and Nadalín, the rest of the team was made up of young prospects who have yet to cement places in the first team and a number of them impressed, namely Ramiro Macagno in goal, Nicolás Castro in the attack and Brian Calderera playing in the defensive midfield position.
Only three minutes had been played when Sebastián Palacios opened the scoring after a clever dummy by Pérez to put him through on goal. Minutes later, Luciano Cingolani made a dazzling run from his own half into the opposition box only to be challenged (fairly) as he was about to shoot. The young wide player went down in pain and was replaced by Ramiro Sordo.
Sordo would go on to play his part in La Lepra’s second goal, crossing beautifully for Nicolás Castro whose header was on target and hit the back of the net to give the home side a convincing lead at the break. Sarmiento did have a chance to pull a goal back before the whistle was blown at the end of the first 40-minute half but Ramiro Macagno pulled off a fine double save to deny El Kiwi.
The second-half had only just started when Newell’s went three to the good, Palacios grabbing his second from the penalty spot after Calderara was fouled by Yamil Garnier.
Newell’s were comfortable from then on and introduced a number of substitutes in the second half including Calcaterra, Donsanti and Llano. Castro went close to making it four with fewer than ten minutes remaining but his header from outside the box hit the crossbar.
Photo: Newell’s Old Boys
Sarmiento offered little going forward but the solid Ramiro Macagno in goal for Newell’s dealt admirably with any chances they had and he looks a reliable second-in-command to first choice keeper Alan Aguerre.
Newell’s now go on to play another friendly on Friday 16 October away to Unión (who they drew 1-1 with on 26 September) before a potential resumption of league action on 30 October with all going to plan for the Argentine Football Association (AFA).
