Newell's Leonel Vangioni helps topple a defenseless Boca Jrs.
With the jet-stream pushing the rain away from Argentina, on Saturday it was as if the players of the Primera División reveled in the waterlessness of their pitches. Following the chaotic affair in Buenos Aires that capitulated 9 goals—two-third of which went to the victorious visitors Argentinos Juniors over Lanús—Newell’s Old Boys and Boca Juniors would have to work hard to top the day’s matinee.
The clubs may not have succeeded but the fans that packed the Marcelo Bielsa were certainly not disappointed, watching Newell’s resoundingly defeat Los Xeneizes 4 goals to 2.
Whether you describe it as the swiftness of Newell’s attack or the sluggishness of Boca’s defense, the first half consisted of wave-upon-wave of scoring chances from the home squad. Only two minutes into the match Newell’s jumped onto the scoresheet. Pablo Dolci’s free kick from well over 35 yards out caught the Boca defense napping. Juan Insaurralde sneaked behind his markers and headed the incoming kick toward the far post and in for an early lead.
Boca’s advances were swept easily aside by Rolando Schiavi and the early support of Lucas Bernardi and Diego Mateo would frustrate Boca in the middle.
Newell’s would continue to bring the attack, concentrated down the left flank by a resolute Leonel Vangioni, prompting yet another goal on 15 minutes. Off a deep cross from the winger, Jorge Achucarro would score all-too-easily—once again exposing Boca’s unfocused central defense.
Joaquin Boghossian would attempt to capitalize on the dismal Boca performance, almost scoring from yet another cross from the left flank.
But the real damage would come three minutes after Mauro Formica scored on a break. Receiving a pass that split the hapless Boca duo of Gary Medel and Gabriel Paletta, Formica effortlessly sped forth, pulled keeper Roberto Abbondanzieri off his line, and slid the ball into the net.
Even more Newell’s, from all sides: first with Formica finding Achucarro with a cross from the right that was stabbed just left of the far post, than Boghossian moving straight up the middle, leaving Boca fans nonplussed at the utter lack of defense.
Things did manage to settle down for Boca, perhaps simply due to Newell’s exhaustion. But the visitors failed to really threaten, not moving the ball particularly well and finding only sparse, half chances.
On 32 minutes, a Juan Roman Riquelme free kick brought the first real danger—but it was pushed away by keeper Sebastian Perratta.
Boca’s fortunes would somewhat change two minutes later, as a penalty was awarded when Insaurralde took Osvaldo Gaitan down in the box. Martin Palermo’s first try would be called back by the referee, but after switch his angle he would score.
A better showing from Boca opened the second half, but Newell’s would get the better early chance when Vangioni would continue to show his stealth to get onto a cross in the box—but his effort was just wide of the mark.
Then Riquelme took his growing frustration out on the ball from 28 yards out, only to have it bounce wide left, an indication that despite Boca holding more possession they could not find the necessary space inside the attacking third to really put forth quality strikes.
The last quarter of the match would look to be spiced up after a sloppy tackle four yards outside the box from Agustin Alayes earned the full-back his second. But Boca would not cease upon the moment, finding it difficult to contrive a plan after Newell’s coach Roberto Sensini would make the tactically pragmatic decision to bring on Alexis Machucha for Achucarro. Shoring up the defense, Newell’s worked hard to press La Mitad Más Uno, and the action was grounded to a halt.
Until, that is, an inability to clear a 50-50 ball in the box fell to Boca substitute Lucas Viatri, who scored a wonderful strike from 18 yards into the top-left corner. His tally would come 4 minutes from time, giving the visitors hope that they could leave Rosario with a draw.
While Newell’s looked a little flustered, they held on to put the victory beyond any doubt in stoppage time. Lucas Bernardi would score a blast from 36 yards out after jumping upon a clumsily cleared ball from Abbondanzieri after the keeper was off his line.
All-in-all a good morale-boosting effort for the Lepers as they prepare for the vital second leg of their Copa Libertadores tie against Emelec (Ecuador), which will take place on Wednesday in Guayaquil.
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