Will ‘Zorro’ Cóccaro make it? Busso sizes up Newell’s at 15 de Abril

In partnership with

Radio Gol

·14 April 2026

Will ‘Zorro’ Cóccaro make it? Busso sizes up Newell’s at 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 update on Radio Gol 96.7 about the current state of Newell’s Old Boys. After a dreadful 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 the «bar set low»

Busso highlighted that Newell’s is coming off a “positive little run”, having taken 7 of the last 9 points available. The figure 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 put together a squad capable of “competing,” although he warned that the team’s physical level remains its main weakness due to a poor preseason and a “awful” transfer window.

OneFootball Videos

Kudelka’s puzzle: doubts and returns

Looking ahead to the match against the «Tatengue», the biggest uncertainty is up front and on the wings:

The “Zorro” Cóccaro in doubt: The striker is dealing with a calf strain. Busso noted that “there’s a greater chance he won’t make it,” and that his absence would be crucial, not only for footballing reasons but also because of his attitude and influence with referees.
Franco García: The left winger is also doubtful due to a knee knock suffered against San Lorenzo.
The defense returns: Nicolás Goitea has recovered from a muscle tear, although he is expected to start on the bench. The center-back pairing would remain Palomino and Salcedo.
A bet on the youngsters: With few strong alternatives available such as Michael Hoyos (who is not to the coach’s liking), 20-year-old youngster Scarpeccio is shaping up as the main attacking option after his good performance in Santiago del Estero.

A dressing room hurt but mature

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” wearing the shirt. Team captain Luca Regiardo — who took on a leadership role at just 20 years old amid the lack of experienced leaders — 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 use 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.