Newell’s Faces Crucial Clash with Gimnasia de Mendoza Amidst Club Turmoil
Rosario, Argentina – Newell’s Old Boys enter a pivotal match against Gimnasia de Mendoza this Saturday at the Estadio Coloso Marcelo Bielsa, seeking their first victory of the 2026 Torneo Apertura. The match, scheduled for 5:45 PM local time (7:45 PM UTC), comes at a boiling point for La Lepra, following a week of upheaval both on and off the pitch.
The atmosphere surrounding the club is fraught with tension, stemming from a recent string of poor results, culminating in a damaging 5-0 defeat to Lanús. This loss triggered a cascade of resignations, including Sporting Director Roberto Sensini and Technical Secretary Fernando Bacci, and sparked protests from frustrated supporters outside the stadium. Newell’s currently sits at the bottom of the annual table, desperately needing a positive result to begin to turn their season around.
Kudelka Makes Seven Changes to Lineup
Manager Frank Kudelka is set to make significant changes to the starting eleven, with seven alterations from the previous match. The defensive line will see Armando Méndez, Bruno Cabrera, and Jerónimo Russo enter the lineup, replacing Ortega, Salcedo, and Luciano, respectively. In midfield, Jerónimo Gómez Mattar and Facundo Guch will take the places of Rodrigo Herrera and Luciano Herrera. Up front, Walter Núñez and Matías Cóccaro will start in place of David Sotelo and Juan Ignacio Ramírez.
The changes signal Kudelka’s attempt to shake up a struggling side and inject fresh energy into the team. The weight of expectation will be immense as Newell’s look to appease their supporters and climb away from the foot of the table.
A Week of Crisis at Newell’s
The past week has been exceptionally turbulent for Newell’s. The heavy defeat at Lanús was immediately followed by the resignations of key figures within the club’s hierarchy. Adding to the unrest, a significant number of fans gathered outside the Coloso Marcelo Bielsa to voice their discontent with the club’s leadership, led by Ignacio Boero.
In response, the club’s board has scheduled a meeting with representatives from various supporter groups – Fuerza Leprosa (represented by Julián González and Juan Cúneo), Movimiento Rojinegro Querido (Cristian D’Amico), and Agrupación 8 de Marzo (Guillermo Muñoz and Gabriel Lalima) – prior to Saturday’s match. The meeting aims to address the concerns of the fanbase and seek a path forward during this challenging period.
More Than Just Football: A Battle for Morale
Kudelka and his players face a complex challenge. Beyond the tactical and technical aspects of the game, they must navigate the emotional fallout from the week’s events and attempt to reconnect with a disillusioned fanbase. The pressure to deliver a positive performance is amplified by the internal turmoil and the need to restore confidence within the club.
This match against Gimnasia de Mendoza represents a crucial opportunity for Newell’s to not only secure their first win of the season but as well to begin to rebuild trust with their supporters. Gimnasia, currently six points ahead of Newell’s in the annual standings, presents a direct rival in the fight to avoid relegation, adding further significance to the encounter.
Gimnasia de Mendoza: A Competitor in the Fight for Survival
Gimnasia de Mendoza, newly acclimated to the Primera División, has accumulated nine points from ten matches, with two wins, three draws, and five losses. They recently suffered a 2-1 defeat to Estudiantes, despite taking an early lead. Their primary objective this season is to maintain their top-flight status, and they currently occupy a position just above the relegation zone in the average points table.
While Gimnasia’s position is relatively secure compared to Newell’s, they recognize the importance of securing points against fellow strugglers. A victory at the Coloso Marcelo Bielsa would significantly bolster their chances of avoiding relegation and establish a firmer foothold in the Argentine top flight.
Match Details
- Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
- Time: 5:45 PM (local time), 7:45 PM UTC
- Venue: Estadio Coloso Marcelo Bielsa, Rosario, Argentina
- Referee: Sebastián Zunino
- VAR: Juan Pafundi
- TV Broadcast: ESPN Premium
Probable Starting Lineups
Newell’s Old Boys: Williams Barlasina; Armando Méndez or Martín Ortega, Saúl Salcedo or Bruno Cabrera, Nicolás Goitea, Gabriel Risso Patrón; David Sotelo, Luca Regiardo; Walter Mazzanti, Facundo Guch, Walter Núñez; Juan Ignacio Ramírez.
Gimnasia de Mendoza: César Rigamonti; Luciano Paredes, Diego Mondino, Ezequiel Muñoz, Franco Saavedra; Nicolás Linares, Ulises Sánchez, Fermín Antonini, Facundo Lencioni; Santiago Rodríguez and Agustín Módica.
What’s Next for Newell’s?
Following the match against Gimnasia de Mendoza, Newell’s will travel to face [next opponent to be confirmed – information not available in sources]. The outcome of Saturday’s game will undoubtedly shape the team’s mindset and approach to their upcoming fixtures as they continue their battle against relegation.
The club’s leadership will also be under continued scrutiny, with supporters eager to see a clear plan for addressing the issues that have plagued the team this season. The meeting with supporter groups prior to the match is a crucial step in that process, and the club’s response to their concerns will be closely watched.
Will Newell’s locate redemption against Gimnasia de Mendoza? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
