LIGA AFA
Patronato 0
Newell’s Old Boys 0
🏟️ Estadio Presbítero Bartolomé Grella, Paraná
Newell’s Old Boys secured a point against Patronato on Monday evening in a game that failed to see the ball hit the net.
Both teams lacked creativity and vision in a first-half with little chances. It took 45 minutes for the first shot on target with in-form Nicolás Castro hitting a weak shot from outside the box straight down the throat of Patronato’s Matías Ibáñez.
The second-half was a bit more sprightly with Newell’s defender Cristian Lema constantly looking a threat from set pieces. His header just after the restart looked bound for goal but was well-saved by the home side’s keeper.
Newell’s stopper Alan Aguerre was in a good position to block a Nicolás Delgadillo shot on 57 minutes after the wide man beat two Lepra players in the box before firing towards the near post. A minute later and Justo Giani had the best chance of the match for Newell’s. The 22-year-old was picked out by Ignacio Scocco before opening his body up and guiding a placed shot towards the goal. Unluckily for him, it hit the base of the post and bounced out again.
Ignacio Scocco felt he should have had two penalties for infringements in the box but referee Ariel Penel didn’t agree on either occasion.
Late in the game, Newell’s defender Franco Negri saved The Lepers from conceding not once, but twice getting back to make last ditch challenges as El Patrón tried to counter attack.
Club captain Maxi Rodríguez made his return from injury with minutes remaining but didn’t have enough time to influence proceedings and the game finished scoreless.
After the draw, it’s 7 points from 12 for both Newell’s and Patronato after 4 games of the new Liga AFA season played. Next up for Newell’s is a home game against Platense on Friday night.
