Rosario Central and Newell's Old Boys took part in the official press conference organized by the Liga Profesional de Fútbol de la AFA ahead of the Rosario derby. The match is for matchday 8 of the Torneo Mercado Libre Clausura 2026 and will be played on Sunday, September 6 at 14:45 at the Gigante de Arroyito stadium, as reported by the official site www.ligaprofesional.ar.
Goalkeeper and captain Jeremías Ledesma was the representative for Rosario Central at the event. Defender Franco Escobar fulfilled that role for Newell's. Both teams arrive with identical 11 points, though in different zones of the table, and need a win to improve their standing. Rosario Central currently sits seventh in the Liga Profesional Argentina, with 11 points from 7 games (3 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses). Their goal difference is +1, with 8 scored and 7 conceded.
What did the captains say before the derby?
Jeremías Ledesma conveyed the unique importance of this match for the city and Argentine football. The goalkeeper stated that "it is a special week for the City and for Argentine football." Ledesma described the emotions generated by the derby as beautiful and highlighted the luck of being able to experience it. For a footballer, according to his words, it is very enjoyable to participate in local derbies of such significance.
Franco Escobar, from Newell's side, also emphasized the relevance of the duel. The defender was clear in stating that "there is no favorite" in these types of matches. He explained that there is a lot of pressure in these games and that his team will try to impose their style of play while being attentive to all details. Escobar's statement reflects the balance that usually surrounds derbies, where previous statistics lose weight.
How are both teams arriving at the match?
Rosario Central is coming off a tough 2-1 home defeat to Gimnasia La Plata, a result recorded on August 29. That setback is part of a complicated recent streak, with only one win in the last five matches (1W-2D-2L). The team has lost its last two fixtures, so it needs to cut that negative dynamic immediately. You can check the details of their performance on our stats page.
Newell's, on the other hand, secured a 0-0 away draw against Estudiantes de La Plata. That point allowed them to reach 11 units, though in Zone A of the competition. Escobar's team will look to take advantage of any possible dip in their rival's morale after the recent home loss. The standings table shows that both clubs are 5 points behind leaders Argentinos Juniors, so a win would be key to closing the gap.
What context defines this derby?
The match arrives at an important moment for both teams' aspirations in the Clausura 2026. Beyond the 11 points they share, recent form marks differences. Rosario Central's form in its last five matches reads as LLDDW (most recent first), which evidences difficulties in closing games in their favor. Their next fixture after the derby is part of a schedule fans can follow on our fixtures calendar.
The loss to Gimnasia left Ledesma's team in need of a quick reaction. Playing at home in a derby brings additional pressure, but also the perfect opportunity to get back on track. The full squad available for the manager will be detailed in the squad section before the match. On Sunday at 14:45, the Gigante de Arroyito will be the stage for this new edition of the Rosario derby, with both teams urgently needing all three points.
