Argentine Apertura Review - Round 15

Another dark week in Argentine football culminated in Horacio Elizondo’s decision to abandon the derby game between Independiente and Racing on Sunday. Prior to that, Boca Juniors had already won contentiously at Gimnasia (LP) on Wednesday night to stretch their lead to four points, an advantage that they retained after their victory over Quilmes in the ‘Bombonera’. And their challengers for the Apertura title will be Estudiantes, after Diego Simeone’s team saw off River Plate on Saturday night.   

Estudiantes La Plata 3 – 1 River Plate

Without their captain, Juan Sebastian Veron, or their leading scorer, Mariano Pavone, Estudiantes still managed to overcome River Plate in La Plata, claiming their eighth consecutive victory, a club record, in the process.

Diego Simeone’s rearranged starting eleven went in front after 16 minutes, courtesy of Agustin Alayes glancing header. The central defender rising above the crowd to guide in Benitez’s perfect centre – breaching River’s defence for the first time in four games. 

On the hour mark Daniel Passarella made the decision to take off his captain, Marcelo Gallardo, as well as striker, Ernesto Farias, replacing them with Ariel Ortega and Falcao respectively.

However, the double substitution did not have the desired effect, as River fell further behind seven minutes later, the creator of the first goal turning finisher, as Benitez sent a looping header over the stranded Carrizo, to put Estudiantes two up.

River did strike back in the 72nd minute though, through centre half Cristian Nasuti’s first goal in the Primera Division – powerfully meeting a left wing corner with his head.

But the away side’s revival was brief, Federico Lussenhoff, the unlucky man to put through his own net with only ten minutes remaining. Ahumada committed yet another foul in a dangerous area and the resulting free kick from Sosa hit the River defender, sending the ball beyond the wrong-footed Carrizo.

Next week River Plate return to the ‘Monumental’ to face Gimnasia (LP) with their title ambitions in ruins. Estudiantes are on the road as they travel to Rosario to meet Newell’s Old Boys with Boca firmly in their sights. 

Boca Juniors 3 – 1 Quilmes

Martin Palermo, having just returned from injury, picked up from where he left off, by scoring twice in the 3 –1 victory over bottom club Quilmes. His second, which sealed the points for ‘Los Xeneizes’, came from the penalty spot after he himself had been manhandled in the box.

With an impressive home record, which stretches back a total of fifteen games without defeat, it was always going to be a tall order for the away team to get anything from their visit to the ‘Bombonera’.

And Palermo confirmed the pre-game predictions by heading home his first of the evening from Barros Shelotto’s beautifully flighted free kick in the 21st minute. The former Villarreal front man was left completely unmarked at the far post and had the simplest of tasks of converting from close range.

His strike partner, Rodrigo Palacio, got in on the act just after half time to grab his tenth goal of the season, the Quilmes defence completely misjudging the long ball, which left Palacio to roll the ball home into an empty net.

However, the visitors gave themselves a lifeline three minutes later when Rusculleda pulled one back. Breaking up play in midfield, he exchanged passes with Torres before stroking the ball beyond Bobadilla.    
 
Moreyra ended any aspirations that Quilmes might have harboured of getting something from the game twelve minutes from time though, as the defender was penalised for holding in the area. Palermo exerted the maximum punishment, smashing his penalty straight down the middle to score his 154th goal in Argentine football.

Boca visit in form Gimnasia (J) next weekend while Quilmes host Banfield in what promises to be a real relegation scrap.

The Best Of The Rest

Arsenal overcame Banfield with two individual strikes of genuine quality from Gomez and Caffa respectively. Gonzalez had equalised temporarily for the home side who also saw Galvan given his marching orders for the second time this season, in an eventful first half. Arsenal’s Ortiz was expelled 15 minutes from time, after receiving two yellow cards, but the away team held on regardless, to get back to winning ways.

The derby between Racing and Independiente ended in a farce, as referee Horacio Elizondo was forced to suspend the match in the 63rd minute after Racing supporters went on the rampage, attacking the police lines in the stadium. Coincidentally, Independiente were completely in control of the match, leading by two goals to nil, both of which came from the boot of captain Daniel Montenegro, who now has ten for the season.

Velez recorded their fifth consecutive victory over Gimnasia (LP) and moved up to sixth position in the process. Papa began the scoring with a blistering left footed volley from the edge of the area for his first goal in a Velez shirt. Pellegrino’s 58th minute header and Zarate’s tenth of the current campaign completed the rout for Miguel Russo’s side.

San Lorenzo striker Jimenez profited twice in the opening fifteen minutes from the wing wizardry of Ezequiel Lavezzi, to put the home team on course for victory. Ansaldi’s first goal in the Primera Division, fifteen minutes from time, proved to be nothing more than a consolation for Newell’s, as they slumped to a third straight defeat and are now without a win in seven games. 

Rosario Central continued their good run of form by disposing of Argentinos through two strikes from Damian Ledesma, who has now scored four times this season. Ledesma’s goals came either side of Choy Gonzalez’s 34th minute equaliser. 

Lanus have won 17 of their 21 points on the road this season and they comprehensively beat Colon in Santa Fe. The away day specialists went ahead in the 21st minute – Acosta sweeping home his first goal in the Primera Division. A period of seven, second half minutes, affectively ended the contest, as first Graf grabbed his sixth of the season after a beautiful through ball from Leto and then he returned the favour, playing in his strike partner who put Lanus three to the good. Esmerado hit back for the hosts three minutes from time but it proved too little too late.

Belgrano lost their third home match in a row courtesy of a wonderful volley from Gimnasia (J) substitute, Dario Gandin, six minutes from time. Prior to Sunday’s win, Gimnasia (J) had gone eight games without an away victory but they now find themselves in the midst of a three game winning streak.

Godoy Cruz demolished Nueva Chicago in Mendoza to move the home side level on points with their fellow promoted club. Villar struck his first of the afternoon with a simple header after only five minutes. Just after half time, Torresi doubled their advantage, placing his penalty – the result of a foul by Sanchez on Salas - to the goalkeeper’s right. Ten minutes later and Soto saw red for Chicago, receiving two yellow cards in the space of five minutes. Villar scored his second of the match in the 75th minute before Valles piled on the misery, marking his first goal in the Primera Division by scoring Cruz’s fourth in injury time. 

Week 15 Results:

Banfield    1 – 2  Arsenal de Sarandi
Estudiantes La Plata   3 – 1  River Plate
Gimnasia La Plata   0 – 3  Velez Sarsfield
Belgrano de Cordoba   0 – 1  Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy 
Colon de Santa Fe   1 – 3 Lanus
Godoy Cruz    4 – 0  Nueva Chicago
Rosario Central   2 – 1  Argentinos Juniors
Independiente    P – P  Racing Club
Boca Juniors    3 – 1  Quilmes
San Lorenzo    2 – 1  Newell’s Old Boys

By Dan Horlock