Will ‘Zorro’ Cóccaro make it? Busso on Newell’s for 15 de Abril

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Radio Gol

·14 April 2026

Will ‘Zorro’ Cóccaro make it? Busso on Newell’s for 15 de Abril

In the lead-up to this Friday’s clash at 8:30 p.m. at the 15 de Abril Stadium, journalist Pablo Busso gave a detailed overview on Radio Gol 96.7 of the current state of Newell’s Old Boys. After a critical start to the year, the Rosario side is showing signs of recovery under Frank Darío Kudelka, although it still carries physical and footballing shortcomings.

A necessary upturn, but with a «low bar»

Busso highlighted that Newell’s is coming off a «positive little streak», having earned 7 of the last 9 points available. The stat is telling: over the last three matchdays, the team picked up more points than in the first ten rounds of the year, when it had yet to win. According to the journalist, Kudelka managed to build a squad capable of «competing», though he warned that the team’s physical condition remains its main weakness due to a poor preseason and a «terrible» transfer window.

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Kudelka’s puzzle: doubts and returns

Heading into the match against the «Tatengue», the biggest uncertainty is in attack and on the wings:

The «Zorro» Cóccaro in doubt: The forward is dealing with a calf strain. Busso noted that «it’s more likely that he won’t make it» and that his absence would be key, not only football-wise but also because of his attitude and influence with referees.
Franco García: The left winger is also doubtful with a knee injury suffered against San Lorenzo.
The defense returns: Nicolás Goitea has recovered from a muscle tear, although he is expected to be on the bench. The center-back pairing would remain Palomino and Salcedo.
Betting on the youngsters: With a lack of strong alternatives such as Michael Hoyos (who is not to the coach’s liking), 20-year-old youngster Scarpeccio is emerging as the main attacking option after his good performance in Santiago del Estero.

A battered but mature dressing room

Busso revealed that the squad took Kudelka’s harsh criticism in an «excellent way», after he had said that some players «were not up to» the shirt. Team captain Luca Regiardo — who took on the leadership role at just 20 years old due to the lack of strong senior figures — admitted that the coach was right and that those words helped them turn the page and avoid the team heading definitively toward relegation.

Friday’s context

Newell’s will arrive in Santa Fe with a renewed atmosphere in the stands and a more combative spirit, looking to take advantage of this emotional boost to spoil Unión’s anniversary and keep climbing the standings in a tournament that had them on the ropes for much of the first half of the year.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.