Former Newell’s teammates, Lucas Bernardi and Gabriel Heinze enjoyed dream starts to their managerial careers on Sunday evening after Bernardi’s Newell’s outclassed Transición champions Racing in Rosario and Heinze’s Godoy Cruz made light work of Crucero del Norte in Mendoza.
Racing arrived in Rosario within touching distance of the top of the table and unbeaten since the first round but they were never really in the match against a resurgent Newell’s side. Lucas Bernardi only hung up his boots last season but he named an exciting young side in his first game as manager, including handing a debut to Maxi Rodríguez’s young cousin Diego. After 13 minutes La Lepra led after Sebastián Saja only got a limp palm to Mauricio Tévez’s cross and Martín Tonso kept his cool to stroke the ball into the bottom corner. Racing looked a little shell-shocked and shortly after, the lead was doubled. Tévez again delivered from the right and when Tonso cut it back, Ignacio Scocco was on hand to tap the ball into the net. The former Sunderland striker was for the first time since his return to Rosario looking something like the player that they had hoped for and he grabbed his second of the game just after the break when Tévez once more delivered from the right. Racing never looked like getting back into the game and although it is early days Newell’s looked better than they did during the entire first half of the season under Américo Gallego.
Over in Mendoza, Godoy Cruz became the latest side to pick up three points against Crucero del Norte when the bus company are on their travels. Leandro Fernández made the most of a defensive slip to head La Tomba in front early and shortly before half time he added his second with a well-taken goal after latching on to a long punt up field. Late in the game Lucas Ceballos headed a third on the break but by that stage the result was not in doubt. Gabriel Heinze will have tougher days ahead as there is probably no easier game in the Primera than a home match against Crucero del Norte but it will be a relief to have registered a convincing first victory.
golazo argentino 