Rosario Central Slips Up Yet Again

While I'm not happy with the way Newell's Old Boys have started the Apertura, I'm almost starting to feel sorry for the Sinas down in the B. Five weeks into the season, and they are still with out a win, this time settling for a draw against newly promoted side Patronato, a team that shares Newell's Rojinegro colors, but wear strips rather than halves.

El Rojinegro de Paraná opened the scoring when Gabriel Roth put one past Jorge Broun in the 35th minute. The teams went into the half tied after Rosario Central's Javier Toledo scored from a controversial penalty.

Diego Gonzalez put the Sinas down a man in the 75th minute after receiving a second yellow card for a handball of all things. Despite this, the Sinas managed to take the lead when Cristian - better known as Kily Gonzalez scored some six minutes later, only to find himself banished for a second yellow in the 85th minute when his slide tackle was mistimed and he got nothing but the ankles of Cristian Devallis. Way to self destruct, Bentral!

Still, the Sinas did hold on to the lead as long as they could, until Jorge Baliño again called another controversial penalty. Deigo Jara converted to bring the teams even.


Other Rosario team scores and hightlights:

Tiro Federal 2 Atletico Tucuman 4

Tiro's loss put them bottom of the B, tied with Belgrano Cordoba with only two points from five games.

Defensores Unidos 1 Central Córdoba 0
I couldn't find anything on Youtube for this match up from the Primera C. Yes, Central Córdoba is from Rosario. So far they've only managed five points. They were founded in 1906 by a group of railway workers. Córdoba Central Railway ran from Buenos Aires, through Rosario to Córdoba. See, it makes sense now, doesn't it?

I've yet to see a score for this weekend's matching way down in the Primera D where Argentino de Rosario rounds things out. In the four games that I know of, they already have the most points of all the teams in Rosario with seven.

A Quick Look At Our Friends In The B

With draws against San Martín (SJ) at home, Belgrano (Cba) away, and a home loss to San Martín(Tuc), Rosario Central are looking a long way from returning to the Primera División. In fact, after four weeks (they were supposed to open on the road against Almirante Brown, anyone know what happened to that match, let me know...) they're in last place in the relegation standing in the National B.

Sure, it's a bit early to declare their decent to the Torneo Argentino A (teams from Buenos Aires would go to the Primera Division B, all others to the Torneo A... see the chart below,) but it's still worth a bit of a laugh for us Lepra.

Adding to that is Central's coach Reinaldo Merlo stating that the team hasn't settled yet, that the current squad still not use to playing with each other. Sounds a lot like an excuse for his team's poor play to me.

I already miss not having a Clasico Rosarino to play, so my next thought was, well, what about Tiro Federal? Well, so far they've tied Chacarita at home, lost to Independiente Rivadavia(Mza) on the road, then lost to current leaders Boca Unidos (C) at home, followed by a draw on the road with Instituto (Cba). Along with their previous seasons in the B their average points put them in the relegation play-off zone.

Yes, it's still too early to say for sure, but it doesn't look like Newell's Old Boys with be playing a true Clasico for some time. Well, unless we count Colón de Santa Fe. We could call it the Clasico Santa Fe, but it still just doesn't have the same feel to it.

In the mean time, I'll try to keep track of the two teams from Rosario in the B, and post updates now and then.

No Banderazo In 2010/2011? Let's See About That...

There's been a lot of news pop up over the last couple of days, which I will get to, but first I need to put forth a certain proposition to those Lepra who might read this who live in Rosario. It's just a little thought that came into my evil brain as I was contemplating a future with no Clasico Rosarino in Newell's Old Boys foreseeable future. No Clasico means no Banderazo. Or does it?

Sure, Newell's will not be playing any crosstown rivals, but so what? There can still be a Banderazo, there just needs to be a new reason for it... say, when Rosario Central face Tiro Federal, perhaps? And to separated from a true Banderazo, maybe it can be re-named El Banderazo Por Los Ausente, a celebration in honor of those who are absent from the Primera Division.

Now, this will be my last word on this subject, unless, of course, the idea catches on. It's not like I can make it happen, but those of you living in Rosario can. Just give it a thought, will you?

Now, on to the news of the past few days...

Newell's tried to sign Godoy Cruz forward Federico Higuaín on a one year loan from Independiente. Confused? It's simple, really, Los Diablos Rojos had loaned him to the club from Mendoza, and now he's being loaned to a new team... but word is that Colón de Sante Fe have stolen him from under our noses.

Newell's coach Roberto Sensini himself had requested Higuaín be brought into the team as a replacement for departing Jorge Achucarro. Achucarro will be returning to Atlas of Mexico.

Another player from Independiente who's being chased by Newell's is a familiar face, Luciano Vella, a rightback who started his career at Newell's back in 1997. Report is that all that's needed is a signature on a contract.

As much as I will welcome Vella back, I also have to wonder... does this mean that Sensini is looking to drop the three defender system? Or can Villa play as a central defender, or, perhaps, move to the right side of midfield?

Lastly, five more suspects have been rounded up in the Roberto "Pimpi" Camino murder investigation. I haven't seen any names being mentioned, and I'm sure this won't be the end we'll hear of Camino, even if there are convictions this time around.

I'm also sure that I've missed a few stories in regards to Camino, but to be honest, I'll be happy when he's faded to nothing more than a memory.