Argentine Apertura Review - Round 9

A weekend dominated by draws in the Apertura saw Boca take full advantage; staging an incredible comeback against Velez Sarsfield to win 3–2. The result left ‘Los Xeneizes’ four points clear at the top after bitter rivals River Plate were held 1–1 at Belgrano.

Boca Juniors 3 – 2 Velez Sarsfield

Rodrigo Palacio was Boca’s hero as the young Argentine International netted twice, the winner coming in the last minute of the ninety.

Velez had approached the match in the ‘Bombonera’ high on confidence after a run of six games without defeat and that form was in evidence as the visitors took a 2-goal lead through Pellegrino and then Zarate, who scored his fifth of the season.

When Krupoviesa was red carded just before halftime for leading into a challenge with his elbow, Velez looked to be cruising towards their fifth victory of the season.

However, referee Baldassi wiped out Velez’s numerical advantage 15 minutes into the second half, sending defender Cubero back to the dressing room for two mistimed challenges in the space of 5 minutes.

And Boca midfielder Gago reduced the arrears 10 minutes later, scoring his first goal in the Primera Division with a spectacular strike from the edge of the area, effectively turning the tide of the match.

Palacio levelled it all up with a demonstration of poise and strength – lifting the ball over the advancing Sessa and then, with just seconds left, he stroked the ball into the empty net after Ledesma had drawn the keeper, to send the crowd, Maradona included, into raptures.

Velez had Pellerano sent off in the closing stages to complete a miserable day for Russo’s team.

Boca have 22 points from 8 games and are now 23 matches without defeat – a record that will undergo the sternest of tests when they travel to face River Plate in the ‘Superclasico’ next week.

Belgrano de Cordoba 1 – 1 River Plate

For the second week in a row River Plate threw away a 1-goal lead in the dying stages to leave themselves 4 points behind Boca who still have a game in hand over Daniel Passarella’s men.

River began well enough, opening the scoring through captain Marcelo Gallardo in the 25th minute. Gallardo, in for the out-of-sorts Ariel Ortega, marked his return to the side with a goal from the penalty spot after Falcao had been tugged to the ground by Serrizuela.

Serrizuela was then given his marching orders, receiving a second yellow card 15 minutes later after another rash challenge, this time on Victor Zapata, leaving Belgrano to play the second half with 10 men.

After missing a whole host of opportunities, Passarella must have thought he was suffering from deja vu when substitute Arriola’s late headed goal hit the back of the net – he wasn’t, as brave Belgrano got both the goal and the point their never-say-die-attitude merited.

The draw means that River have thrown away 4 points in their last two league games – the same advantage that Boca hold over them in the table.  

The Best Of The Rest

Independiente got back to winning ways on Sunday and moved up to third in the process. Coming into the game off the back of two successive defeats they went some way to eradicating the memory of those recent performances with goals from Sosa, Montenegro and Orteman, overcoming a poor Gimnasia (LP) side 3–0.

Estudiantes leapfrogged San Lorenzo into fourth place – Pablo Alvarez’s scrappy goal was enough for the team from La Plata. One piece of bad news for Diego Simeone is that influential captain, Juan Sebastian Veron, will miss next week’s game against Lanus through suspension after he picked up his fifth booking of the season.

Arsenal salvaged a point against Lanus courtesy of Yacuzzi’s wonder strike six minutes from time. Archubi had given Lanus the lead in the 12th minute following a goalmouth scramble. The draw means that Arsenal move up to sixth while Lanus, now 11 games without defeat on the road, remain in mid-table.

Reinaldo Merlo, reportedly one game away from the sack two weeks ago, saw his Racing side record their second consecutive victory at the expense of Gimnasia (J). Recently recalled Facundo Sava bagged a brace with Moralez completing the rout – scoring his 200th goal in the Primera Division. Crowd trouble marred what was otherwise a perfect night for the club from the capital.

Captain Kily Gonzalez’s penalty was not enough to give Rosario Central a 2nd home win of the season, as Torresi’s superb free-kick, 15 minutes from time, secured a fifth point of the campaign for Godoy Cruz who are still without a win in 8 Apertura fixtures. Central were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time as Garce was shown his second yellow card of the match.

Friday night’s game saw 2 goals and more crowd trouble as Colon’s hooligans, for the second home fixture in a row, brought shame on the club. Colon, improving with each game under new coach Julio Falcioni, took the lead in the 18th minute through Ramirez, an advantage that was cancelled out right on half time by Araujo. Newell’s stay in mid-table while Colon are still in the thick of it, just one place off the bottom.

Banfield gained a point after a cross-come-shot from Gonzalez looped over the goalkeeper in spectacular fashion. Higuain had earlier put Nueva Chicago in front from a corner. Both teams remain in mid-table.

In the battle at the bottom Quilmes achieved an unlikely share of the spoils at home to Argentinos after the away side had taken a 2-goal advantage through two set-plays – a penalty from Avendano and Nunez’s excellent free kick. Chatruc reduced the deficit for the home side in the 40th minute and then deep into injury time the same player created a goal for Montoya to give Quilmes only their second point of the season. 

Week 9 Results

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

By Dan Horlock