Primera Division Apertura - Newell's Old Boys and Independiente draw 1 – 1: Part 1
Newell's Old Boys Starting Line: Sebastián Dario Peratta (Goal Keeper), Luciano Germán Vella, (Defender), Agustín Alayes (Defender), Rolando Schiavi (Defender), Mauro Fórmica (Midfielder), Mauricio Sperdutti (Midfielder), Diego Mateo (Midfielder), Gabriel Cíchero (Midfielder), Raúl Villalba (Midfielder), Iván Borghello (Forward) and Leandro Sebastián Velázquez (Forward).
Independiente Starting Line: Hilario Navarro (Goal Keeper), Maximiliano Nicolas Velázquez (Defender), Eduardo Tuzzio (Defender), Leonel Galeano (Defender), Julián Velázquez (Defender), Leandro Gracián (Midfielder), Lucas Mareque (Midfielder), Hernan Fredes (Midfielder), Patricio Rodríguez (Midfielder), Fernando Godoy (Midfielder) and Néstor Silvera (Forward).
The match at the Marcelo Bielsa Stadium in Rosario, Argentina proved to be thriller as Independiente scored early in the game while Newell's Old Boys scored a late equalizer.
The match kicked off as referee Juan Pompei blew his whistle as the showdown began with a lot of intensity. After playing 5 matches in the league, Newell's Old Boys stand at the 10th spot with 6 points while Independiente are at the 17th position with just 2 points to their credit. Arsenal FC tops the table with 12 points after 5 matches and San Lorenzo is placed at the second with 11 points from 5 matches. Meanwhile, Estudiantes stood at 10 points after 4 games.
Before the match began, both teams knew that if they wanted to progress to the later stages of the league with a better position, they would have to win one of their earlier matches. Considering this scenario, Newell's Old Boys were at the advantage as Independiente’s recent performance had disappointed all and sundry.
Still, when the match kicked off, it did not seem like two novice and underrated teams were playing in the middle. In fact Coaches Roberto Sensini of Newell's Old Boys and Daniel Garnero of Independiente had prepared their men well for the battle.
Till the 18th minute, both teams tried to gain possession of the ball and when they had it, they aggressively captured ground by advancing towards the goal posts in a bid to score.
But as soon as the attacks reached the box, opposition defenders would come into action and the ball would be cleared off powerfully. This resulted in throw-ins and at times, free kicks were handed in for fouls.
Velázquez was one Independiente who was performing his job quite well. Whenever the ball would reach the danger zone, his feet would always be there to clear of the ball. For Newell's Old Boys, Rolando Schiavi played wonderful football as he made no mistakes during the game.
There was a lot of commotion in the 18th minute as Newell's Old Boys were granted a chance to score but Fórmica was called offside before anything could happen. That was followed by Mateo fouling Silvera and a free kick was given.
Independiente player Fredes took the free kick but goal keeper Dario Peratta proved to be too good for it as he made the save. Velázquez committed a foul in the 22nd minute against Mareque which resulted in a free kick for Independiente.
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