2. San Lorenzo (18) vs Newell¡¦s Old Boys (5)

The end of a tortuous road for San Lorenzo, a great season for Newell's

TEAM NEWS

San Lorenzo right back Damian Martinez has seen his ban extended by the disciplinary committee.

Midfielder Diego Rivero has been ruled out with a pulled hamstring.

Newell's Old Boys forward Jorge Achucarro and midfielder Marcelo Estigarribia have been named to Paraguay's World Cup provisional squad and will miss this game.

Attacking midfielder Mauro Formica picked up his fifth yellow card of the season and is banned for one game.

Midfielder Fernando Dolci is also banned for this match.

San Lorenzo

Suspended: Martinez (one match)

Doubtful: none

Injured/Unavailable: Aguirre (Achilles' heel), Bottinelli (hamstring), Romagnoli (knee), Torres (national team), Rivero (hamstring)

Newell¡¦s Old Boys

Suspended: Formica & Dolci (one match)

Doubtful: none

Injured/Unavailable: Vangioni (hamstring), Achucarro & Estigarribia (national team)

MATCH PREVIEW

San Lorenzo will close a terrible semester. Newell's Old Boys reached their goal of making the South American Cup.

San Lorenzo had their second worst semester since the introduction of the short tournaments in 1990. They are next to last in the table and have lost eleven games due to poor decisions by the board. The sacking of manager Diego Simeone in the 12nd round didn't solve the underlying problem: an injury-ridden squad upset about the failure by the board to pay their salaries in the last two months. The poor attitude in the last two games was alarming: Argentinos Juniors and Lanus came back from behind in both matches. Sebastian Mendez, the interim manager chairman Rafael Savino wanted on the bench for next season is under fire. Ramon Diaz, who led them to a title in 2007, has already been contacted by the club and is expected to sign his contract on May 20.

And to think Newell's Old Boys manager Roberto Sensini was in the crosshairs. With him, the team contended until the last game last year, had one of the best performances in the last 12 months and has clinched a berth in an international competition. The main reason for this is the core of the squad is very solid. From goalkeeper Sebastian Peratta, who will miss Friday's match so that youngster Nahuel Guzman has the chance to play, to Formica, who must serve his ban. There'll be more changes in the lineup, but there isn't great interest in the game among the supporters. Rosario is preparing for Central's relegation playoff. Every Newell's fan wants them to lose so they can bask in their archrivals' misery.

San Lorenzo are a troubled team right now. Newell's Old Boys are relaxed but will be missing a few pieces. This could be a draw.

HEAD TO HEAD

They've met 140 times, with 43 wins for Newell's Old Boys, 57 for San Lorenzo and 40 draws.

San Lorenzo have beaten Newell's just once since May, 2007. It was last December, 2-0 at Rosario. Newell's Old Boys won the last two games at San Lorenzo.