A Red-and-Black Wave at the Coloso
On Thursday, September 3, 2026, the Marcelo Bielsa stadium in Rosario was the scene of a massive fan rally organized by Newell's Old Boys supporters to cheer on the team ahead of the derby against Rosario Central. Images from the Coloso del Parque showed an impressive turnout: the lower stand was 80% occupied, the Messi lower popular stand was 100% full, and the upper stand was also very crowded.
Players and coaching staff came onto the pitch at 6:32 PM to greet the fans and joined in the chants. The most applauded was head coach Frank Darío Kudelka, who took over in a chaotic moment and improved the team's performance, which arrives on a three-match unbeaten run and sits fifth in Zone A with 11 points.
The Derby That Paralyzes Rosario
The match between Rosario Central and Newell's will be played on Sunday, September 6, at 2:45 PM (Argentina time) at the Gigante de Arroyito, for Matchday 8 of the 2026 Clausura Tournament. The broadcast will be on TNT Sports Premium.
Newell's has not beaten Central in derbies for 8 matches (6 losses and 2 draws). The last meeting was on March 1, 2026, when Central won 2-0 with goals from Ángel Di María and Enzo Copetti. The overall head-to-head record is heavily in favor of the Canalla: in 197 matches, Central has won 67, Newell's 46, and they have drawn 82 times.
Key Players and News in Both Teams
For Newell's, standouts include Matías Cóccaro, Walter Mazzantti, Facundo Gauch, and Luca Regiardo. For Central, the stars are Ángel Di María, Jámiton Campaz, Giovanni Cantizano, and Franco Ibarra. Additionally, new signing Santiago Solari (ex-Racing) completed his second training session and could start.
Messages of Peace and Expectation
In press conferences, Central goalkeeper Jeremías Ledesma and Newell's defender Franco Escobar called for a derby without violence. Ledesma said: “It's lived like the final of the world and it's not like that”, while Escobar added: “It's a football match that will be played again”. Both agreed that the derby should be a sporting celebration.
Key Derby Facts
- Match: Rosario Central vs. Newell's Old Boys
- Tournament: Clausura 2026, Matchday 8
- Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026, 2:45 PM
- Stadium: Gigante de Arroyito
- Broadcast: TNT Sports Premium
- Last derby: Central 2-0 Newell's (3/1/2026)
- Newell's streak: 3 matches without losing
- Derby streak: Newell's hasn't won in 8 matches