Maxi Rodriguez picks up where he left last season, scoring Newell’s second

Last season’s Torneo Final Champions may have lost manager Tata Martino to Barcelona and main striker, Nacho Scocco to Brasil but Newell’s Old Boys showed once again why they are currently the best side in Argentina. Newly promoted, Gimnasia La Plata had won all 3 games before their trip to Rosario tonight but goals from Gabriel Heinze, Maxi Rodriguez and Rinaldo Cruzado ensured Newell’s finished the night back on top of the table and the question: Can anyone topple this Newell’s side? MORE AND THE GOALS HERE….

Enjoying 73% possession and limiting Gimnasia to very little it seems Newell’s Old Boys under Alfredo Berti are going to be equally formidable this season.

Heinze headed home from a corner before the break and his presence back in the side could not be understated as his work in snuffing out any Gimnasia attacks was crucial. After the break, as the pressure mounted, it was only a matter of time before the lead was doubled. It was another of the reliable older faces that scored the goal, this time Maxi Rodriguez was on hand to tap in the rebound after Monetti was unable to hold the initial effort. With minutes remaining, two of the Newell’s second half substitutes combined to add a third. David Trezeguet cut the ball back to Rinaldo Cruzado, who at the second attempt slotted the ball into the corner.

It has still been a good opening month for Gimnasia but with this result Newell’s have made a statement to the rest of the contenders.