Rosario Central fans vented their frustration by whistling and insulting manager Jorge Almirón and forward Enzo Copetti during a 2-1 home defeat to Gimnasia de La Plata. The atmosphere at the Gigante de Arroyito this Saturday was hostile, reflecting the discontent following the team's recent Copa Libertadores elimination.
Almirón's team entered this seventh-round Torneo Clausura match with strong league form, sitting fourth with 11 points. Their recent run included two wins and a draw in the last three games, leaving them unbeaten in that stretch. However, the elimination by Brazilian side Corinthians and the 2-2 draw with Talleres in Córdoba, where Angel Di María scored a brace, weighed heavily on the mood.
Why were the fans so angry?
The primary source of discontent was the Copa Libertadores exit the previous week. According to the report from Ole, fans also recalled a very clear missed chance against Timao. This match against Gimnasia was the first at home since that continental disappointment, and the supporters' patience had run out. The team, despite its good position in the Liga Profesional standings, just two points behind leaders Argentinos JRS, could not contain the crowd's reaction.
Jorge Almirón was the first target of the reproach. The whistling began when the announcer read his name in the starting lineup. The situation did not improve with the flow of the game. Gimnasia won with a goal from Nacho Fernández, deepening the frustration in the stands. The discontent persisted throughout the match and erupted again with the introduction of Enzo Copetti in the 22nd minute of the second half.
How did Almirón and Copetti react?
The forward, who joined from Racing, was met with a new wave of boos and insults from the terraces. "Jorge Almirón and Enzo Copetti were the two most whistled and insulted by the Canalla fans," the outlet detailed. Neither the manager nor the player could change the course of the game, which ended in a visitor's victory. The whistles were heard again at the final whistle, sending a clear message of disapproval towards the coaching staff and the team's performance.
Despite the negative atmosphere, the supporters showed their focus is already on the derby. Among the chants heard at the end of the match were those dedicated to the upcoming clásico against Newell's Old Boys. This match is scheduled for September 6th and will again be at the Gigante de Arroyito, a crucial fixture in the calendar that fans are eagerly awaiting.
What does this mean for the team's immediate future?
The challenge for Almirón is immense. He must rebuild the squad's morale and prepare the team for a high-pressure derby with the backing of a clearly unhappy fanbase. Rosario Central has a season record of 7 goals scored and 5 conceded, showing an effectiveness that couldn't be replicated against Gimnasia. The team needs a positive result against Newell's to calm the mood and maintain its good league run, where its last result was the 2-2 draw with Talleres.
The coming week will be decisive. The squad must block out the external noise and focus on on-field performance. The fans, for their part, expect a strong response in the Rosario derby. All information regarding preparation and lineup for that match can be followed on our squad page. The team has the quality, but it must show character to reconnect with its people.
