If Sunday’s results proved nothing else it is that the Copa Libertadores is going to seriously disrupt some of the leading contenders and that Juan Roman Riquelme’s return can’t come soon enough for Boca Juniors. Boca dominated Belgrano in an empty La Bombonera for 45 minutes but a dreadful second half performance allowed the visitors back and Ricardo Zielinski’s team returned to Cordoba 3-2 winners. Lanus gambled on a changed lineup after their Libertadores commitments in their match against Atletico Rafaela and it backfired badly on Guillermo Barros Schelotto, as his side lost 3-0 in La Forteleza. Newell’s Old Boys suffered a similar fate, and their decision to not add a striker over the summer, is looking like a bigger mistake with every game. Despite having the highest pass completion rate in the Primera, Newell’s are yet to score and lost by three goals in La Plata to Gimnasia. In Rosario, River Plate picked up a good point with a 1-1 draw against Rosario Central. A good first half was followed by a cautious second in which both sides looked determined not to lose, leaving a dog evading capture and defecating on the pitch as a highlight. READ MORE AND WATCH THE GOALS….

Gimnasia La Plata  3 – 0  Newell’s Old Boys
Newell’s did not get off to a good start in La Plata after Gabriel Heinze was adjudged to have been a little too physical in defending a corner and after only 7 minutes Erik Correa had an opportunity from the penalty spot. His effort was saved superbly by Nahuel Guzman but the rebound was volleyed in by Gastón Díaz.
Newell’s continued to pass the ball but with no real cutting edge and so it was no real surprise that they fell further behind after the break. A set piece bobbled around the six yard box and eventually Juan Carlos Blengio bundled in the second.
With Newell’s pushing forward it made them vulnerable on the break and with 10 minutes remaining a move down the right found Facundo Pereyra in the centre and he slid the ball past Guzman.
Gimnasia have lost their last 8 meetings with Newell’s and so the result is a massive boost but there is now a huge amount of pressure on Alfredo Berti. Newell’s have not won a league match in 10 and their inability to score goals is now a real problem. The game away to Belgrano on Thursday could be decisive if Berti is to remain the man in charge.

Lanus  0 – 3  Atletico Rafaela
Guillermo Barros Schelotto made it quite clear where his priorities lie with his team selection for yesterday’s clash with Rafaela. With several first team players rested, Lanus were severely punished by an effective Rafaela side, led by centre forward, Diego Vera.
Uruguayan, Vera is always a threat in the air and it was his powerful header from a corner that gave La Crema the lead midway through the first half.
Just before half time, the head of Vera struck again. A superb looping header from the edge of the box eluded the grasp of Agustín Marchesín to give Rafaela a commanding lead.
Lanus had some opportunities to find a way back after the break but were eventually killed off on the break when Vera squared the ball to Cristian Canuhé for a simple tap in.

Rosario Central  1 – 1  River Plate
River Plate’s lack of goals in the Torneo Inicial cost them dearly but yesterday in Rosario it took just 3 minutes for Manuel Lanzini to give them the lead. The talented number 10 had one of his better games and after some nice link up play between Fernando Cavenaghi and Teó Gutiérrez, Lanzini produced an accomplished finish.
Former River striker, Carlos Luna headed Central level after 28 minutes in what was an entertaining first 45 minutes.
After the break both sides appeared to accept the draw and there was little action of note but for both sides it is a positive start to the Torneo.

Boca Juniors  2 – 3  Belgrano
Having failed to pick up a win even during pre-season this is proving to be a bit of a crisis for Boca Juniors and last night’s terrible second half performance did little to ease any fears. With almost daily reports and doubts over the fitness of Juan Roman Riquelme, the number 10’s return could not come soon enough for Carlos Bianchi.
A bright first half yesterday in la Bombonera should have yielded more than the solitary goal Boca managed. A wonderfully worked set piece after just 7 minutes allowed Juan Forlín a first goal back at Boca but the mistake was not adding to this during a period of dominance.
After the break, Boca were a different side and it took just a minute for Emiliano Rigoni to fire Belgrano level. From this moment on, Boca were on the ropes and a Luciano Lollo penalty followed by a late César Pereyra goal meant Belgrano would be leaving with all the points.
A stunning Luciano Acosta volley pulled one back in injury time but it was too late for Boca. With a difficult away trip to Rafaela on Thursday things could get worse before they get any better for Carlos Bianchi.