Rosario Central beat Newell’s 1-0 in a controversial match and won the classic

Rosario Central won a new edition of the classic against Newell’s by 1-0 thanks to the only goal by Facundo Mallo in the final stretch of the match valid for matchday 10, got closer to the top spots in the Professional League and extended Matías Lequi’s unbeaten run as interim coach (he remained in office due to the departure of Miguel Ángel Russo) after his victory against Gimnasia in La Plata.

The first quarter of an hour was marked by the analysis of two cautious teams focused on avoiding making mistakes that could be exploited by the opponent. The host team looked to Jáminton Campaz’s speed as a source of overflows without success, while Lepra appeared on the goal defended by Jorge Broun with a shot that went wide from Francisco Panchito González.

If the first 15 minutes were a time of learning, what followed was a slower process in the middle of the pitch based on long balls with no concrete destination and easy control by the goalkeepers. The midfield became a toll with difficult access and spaces were conspicuous by their absence.

* Marco Ruben’s departure due to injury

The most resonant event before they went to the locker room occurred away from the areas and caused concern for the home team, just hours before this Wednesday’s match at 7 pm against Fortaleza for the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa Sudamericana: Marco Ruben felt a physical discomfort and was substituted in place of Enzo Copetti.

Despite losing their top scorer, Rosario Central had greater clarity at the end of the first half with the first dangerous play: a shot by Mauricio Martínez that touched the outside of the net.

The second half continued in the same vein as at the start, although Newell’s showed greater clarity in finishing off their attacks with a header from Saúl Salcedo controlled by Fatura Broun and, in the 66th minute, they had a goal disallowed. Ángelo Martino lowered a cross past the far post and Franco Ibarra pushed the ball into his goal, but the action was invalidated by a correct offside by Martino.

* The goal disallowed for Newell’s

From then on, the pitch began to play its own game. That play got the crowd excited in search of a reaction from Canalla and the scene overwhelmed the classic rival, who was left with one man less in the 76th minute due to a direct red card to Ángelo Martino after a foul on Kevin Ortíz. It is worth noting that the left back had returned for this match after serving a one-match suspension for accumulation of yellow cards.

Newell’s downward spiral was finally realized in the 83rd minute with a free kick from Ignacio Malcorra on the right flank. The midfielder’s shot went over the barrier, goalkeeper Ramiro Macagno left a short rebound and Facundo Mallo took advantage of the loose ball to score the 1-0 followed by the subsequent celebration with the fans in the stadium.

The importance of the classic at the Gigante de Arroyito was in the obligations of the two teams because they are in the middle of the table in the Professional League and need to add points as soon as possible in the fight to qualify for the international cups. El Rojinegro and Central were 5 and 7 points behind Lanús, the last one that would be going to the Sudamericana 2025, respectively.

* Angelo Martino’s red card

Newell’s will play again this Friday at the Coloso Marcelo Bielsa against Racing starting at 9pm, while Rosario Central will face Fortaleza during the week and on Saturday will face Independiente starting at 3pm in Avellaneda.

HISTORY IN PROFESSIONALISM

They tied 79

Central won 54

Newell’s won 43

Formations:

Stadium: Giant of Arroyito

Referee: Nicolas Ramirez

POSITION TABLE