Scenes from this month’s super clasico

The season is drawing to it’s dramatic conclusion and at the end of May the title is still very much up for grabs with Newell’s Old Boys and River Plate looking the two most likely destinations (as Lanus have been stuttering for weeks despite still being level with River) but all are guilty of dropping crucial points over the month. At the other end of the table, Union de Santa Fe have lost their battle against relegation but did have a derby day win over rivals, Colon to console them. Independiente, despite some good results have lost ground and look destined to drop out of the top flight for the first time in their history. With 3 games to go two from Independiente, San Martin, Argentinos Juniors and Quilmes will join Union in the Nacional B. May also witnessed this campaign’s super clasico in La Bombonera, a rather dull 1-1 draw which was more news worthy because of the crowd trouble and there was a conclusion to the Pablo Migloire prison saga. The ex-San Lorenzo goalkeeper was finally released from jail and then promptly departed San Lorenzo and signed for Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia. (Note: Police have finally caught Boca fugative, Maxi Mazzaro who has been on the run since the murder of Ernesto Cirino in 2011 and who was at the centre of Migliore’s arrest). READ ON FOR MAY’S AWARDS…..

MANAGER OF THE MONTH

Juan Antonio Pizzi – San Lorenzo

Without a doubt the stand out team in May was San Lorenzo so manager, Juan Antonio Pizzi is an easy choice. The 44 year-old, ex Spanish international, has overseen a perfect month, with 4 wins out of 4 and 12 goals scored. 3 nil wins over Boca and All Boys and then a late 4-2 win over Union, which actually relegated them have fired them up the table and just 2 points behind River Plate and Lanus. Perhaps it’s a little too late to win the championship but it’s a fine run nonetheless.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Gonzalo Veron – San Lorenzo

With free scoring San Lorenzo sweeping aside all before them in May it is perhaps no surprise that one of their players takes this month’s award. 23 year old striker, Gonzalo Veron has caught the eye in May, scoring in all 4 games and 5 in total. His pace has been a great outlet for San Lorenzo as they have attacked sides at speed, illustrated by his opening goal against Union. His other goals, including one in the win over Boca, have shown his poaching instincts and he has been the first to react in the six yard box.

GOAL OF THE MONTH

Adrian Fernandez’s wonderful lob against Tigre is May’s goal of the month. An instinctive, first time left footed lob from 40 yards caught everyone off guard and helped give Independiente a valuable 3 points. It may not be enough to save Independiente but the young Paraguayan’s performances will not have gone unnoticed by other sides.