Quilla see off Newell’s in an entertaining Clausura opener | OneFootball

The Clausura tournament of the Liga Santafesina kicked off its first matchday with an attractive and hotly contested duel between El Quillá and Newell’s Old Boys. The team led by Martín Mazzoni secured a narrow 1-0 victory thanks to a goal scored by Nacho Presser in the 14th minute of the first half. However, the course of the match showed that the team from Parque del Sur had to work intensely to take all three points, as Claudio Gaitán’s side never gave up and came very close to equalizing on several occasions.

The start of the match was favorable to El Quillá, who came out determined to impose their rhythm. With good ball movement and speed down the wings, they managed to trouble the rojinegra defense early on. That initial supremacy was reflected on the scoreboard when Presser appeared well positioned inside the box to capitalize on an attacking play and beat Ferrari. The early goal seemed to set the stage for a more comfortable dominance by the Tiburón, but that was not the case.

As the minutes went by, Newell’s began to find their place on the field. With Ulises Bonelli orchestrating play and Leones and Sánchez working hard in midfield, the visiting team started to grow in their game. From that point on, goalkeeper Apppendido was forced to push himself, having to make several saves to keep his goal intact. The team from barrio Roma created several clear chances but lacked effectiveness in finishing: neither Insaurralde nor the forwards or attacking midfielders were able to capitalize on the opportunities that came their way.

El Quillá, aware that the visitors were pushing forward, chose to sit back a bit more and rely on counterattacks. In this setup, they also managed to create danger. Candia was close to increasing the lead with a powerful shot that rattled the crossbar, and Ferrari responded with composure on other occasions to keep his team in the game.

The match maintained an attractive back-and-forth. Newell’s persistently sought the equalizer and at times had El Quillá on the ropes, who had to multiply their defensive efforts. Despite the pressure, the Tiburón’s backline remained solid and managed to close off the paths to their opponents’ attackers.

In the second half, the coaches made changes in search of answers. Mazzoni tried to give his team fresh legs to maintain the lead, while Gaitán opted for offensive changes in an attempt to turn the game around. The substitutions, however, did not significantly alter the flow: the match remained intense and open, with chances at both ends.

Until Boninn’s final whistle, the result remained uncertain. Newell’s tried every possible way but could not score, and El Quillá clung to their slim advantage with professionalism and sacrifice. The 1-0 score ultimately rewarded the Tiburón’s effectiveness at the start of the Clausura, although it was clear that the team will need to keep fine-tuning details if they aim to fight at the top.

For their part, Newell’s left a good impression in their debut. Despite the defeat, the team showed personality, collective play, and the ability to trouble a consistently tough opponent. With a bit more precision in the final third, they will surely be able to pick up the points needed to be contenders in the tournament.

The Clausura is just beginning, and this duel between El Quillá and Newell’s has already given a glimpse of what promises to be a close and thrilling tournament.

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