Newell’s Old Boys v Central Córdoba
Copa Diego Armando Maradona
28th December 2020
🏟️ Estadio Marcelo Bielsa, Rosario
Sebastian “Tucu” Palacios will line out for Newell’s Old Boys for the final time on Monday night as La Lepra welcome Central Córdoba de Santiago del Estero to Rosario in the Copa Diego Maradona.
Palacios, who has arguably been Newell’s’ best player in the tournament, will return to his parent club Independiente on 1 January 2021 with his loan deal expiring. The Avellaneda club are looking for $2.5m (USD) to make the move permanent but Newell’s can’t afford to meet their valuation even though Palacios has scored 6 goals and provided 2 assists in 16 appearances.
With an injury crisis in full flow, and no replacement for Palacios lined up, 2021 may be seen as the year where academy graduates will get the chance to claim a place in the Newell’s attack. Players like Enzo Cabrera, Ramiro Sordo and Luciano Cingolani have been included in recent squads by Frank Kudelka but without the services of Palacios, a door has opened for someone to make their mark.
Another three points for Newell’s on Monday would see them claim a fifth win a row (4 in the league, 1 in the cup) and would put them in a brilliant position to compete for the Copa Sudamericana spot that is up for grabs for the winner of the “Complement” (Losers) Phase of the Copa Diego Maradona.
To get that far, they may have to face fierce rivals Rosario Central who top Group A of the “Complement” Phase after two games.
Our opponents Central Córdoba come into this game having won one point from two games, losing to Vélez Sarsfield and drawing with Godoy Cruz.
The last time the two sides met was the last game before Argentine football came to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic – a 1-2 away win for Newell’s behind closed doors in March.
Newell’s v Central Córdoba Team News
From the squad called up for the Copa Argentina win over Sportivo Peñarol, Facundo Nadalín misses out due to a muscle injury and has been replaced by 17-year-old midfielder Marco Campagnaro who is featuring in a Newell’s squad for the first time.
Ignacio Scocco, Alan Aguerre, Nicolás Castro, Fabricio Fontanini, Aníbal Moreno, Francisco González, Matías Orihuela, Matteo Maccari and Denis Rodríguez are all still on the injury list. Pablo Pérez is suspended after being sent off in the 0-3 win at Godoy Cruz.
Alexis Ferrero, the former Central Córdoba Director of Football who has taken over as manager following the departure of ex-Newell’s man Alfredo Berti, has a healthy squad to choose from.
📺 Watch Newell’s Old Boys v Central Córdoba on Monday 28 December: Live on Fanatiz
⏰ Kick-off: 17.10 ARG | 20.10 UK
