On March 9, 2025, Belgrano and Newell’s faced off at Coloso del Parque Marcelo Bielsa, ending the match with a scoreless draw of 0-0 during the ninth round of the Torneo Apertura. The match was marked by heightened tensions, both on and off the field, with Belgrano's management under Ricardo Zielinski seeking to improve their position, currently standing at ninth place with nine points, twelve points behind the league leaders, Tigre and Argentinos Juniors.
Both teams entered the game hoping to secure valuable points, yet neither succeeded. The contest unfolded with promising efforts from Belgrano initially, including several attempts from Lucas Zelarayán, whose shots were thwarted by Newell’s goalkeeper Keylor Navas. Delivered with skill, Navas made notable saves, establishing himself as the standout player of the first half. Despite these efforts, Belgrano's attacks were unfruitful, summing up the visitors' struggles outside their home turf.
The tension escalated outside the stadium where incidents occurred, prompting authorities to intervene. The game was halted for almost ten minutes as fireworks exploded close to the arena, causing disturbances among fans which included attempts by spectators from Newell’s to confront rival supporters. This chaotic environment reflected the intense rivalry between the teams and added to the pressure of the match.
Returning to the pitch, the match resumed, but both teams now faced additional challenges. Into the second half, Newell's came close to breaking the deadlock when Carlos González's header tested Belgrano goalkeeper Juan Espínola, who successfully parried the danger. Yet, it was Belgrano's Fausto Grillo who soon found himself embroiled in more serious troubles; receiving his second yellow card, he was ejected, leaving Belgrano to continue with ten men.
Just as desperation loomed for the visitor team, Aníbal Leguizamón suffered the same fate as he received a direct red card for a reckless tackle on Gonzalo Maroni. This left Belgrano with only nine players on the field as the match approached stoppage time, sealing their fate as they could only fend off encroachments from Newell's who were pressing for the win.
Overall, the match was lackluster, characterized by missed opportunities, disputed calls, and significant missed chances. Belgrano's inability to convert opportunities on goal, particularly after their early dominance, has become reflective of their struggles this season. Newell’s also failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage, leading to frustrations for both sides.
Currently, Newell’s sits lower on the leaderboard, with only seven points to show from their games. This stalemate means they hold little ground seeking advancement to the top eight qualifying for playoffs, just like their rival Belgrano. The latter faces even tighter scrutiny since they need to collect points urgently, especially as their next match awaits against Barracas Central on March 16 at 21:00.
Judging by the circumstances of this match, both teams find themselves needing urgent improvement if they hope to participate meaningfully as the tournament progresses. The intensity of their next fixtures raises the stakes for all engaged as they fight for survival.