A little later than planned, but after missing a month (or two) at the end of the Torneo Inicial, it is a case of better late than never. With the opening month of the Torneo Final over and plenty of entertaining and surprising results, the choice of Manager, Player and Goal of the Month are revealed.

With the Copa Libertadores and midweek rounds to get the Torneo Final finished earlier than possible, the games have been coming thick and fast and as expected this has taken its toll on a number of sides.

As predicted prior to the opening weekend, this should result in one of the most open title races since, well the Torneo Inicial but perhaps even more so.

All five of Argentina’s Libertadores representatives have shown signs of strain and so a host of other sides have aspirations of lifting the hideous Torneo Final trophy.

However, even the supposedly more predictable relegation contenders have suddenly found form resulting in a number of surprising results and even more surprising leaders of the Torneo Final table.

MANAGER OF THE MONTH

With what has just been written in mind, there can be only one winner in this field, despite notable mentions to Jorge Almirón for leading Godoy Cruz to three victories in February and Mauricio Pellegrino for his strong start with Estudiantes.
Colón, who almost unanimously it was agreed would go down (they still might) and who have been blighted by off-field problems, have made an incredible start to the tournament and currently lead the standings. Manager, Diego Osella has to take enormous credit for this particularly after the opening weekend, where his side where well beaten in Avellaneda by Racing and confirmed most people’s pre-Torneo predictions.
However, in their next match against relegation rivals, Argentinos Juniors, Gabriel Graciani ended a goalless spell of over 9 hours earning his side a 1-0 win and they have not looked back. Wins against Quilmes and then a famous victory in El Monumental against River Plate sent Colón up the table and more importantly lifted them out of the relegation zone.
Colón are suddenly scoring goals and keeping clean sheets and based on how they looked just a matter of weeks ago, this is a feat worthy of praise.

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Once again there are several candidates here and the aforementioned Gabriel Graciani deserves a mention for ending Colón’s goal drought and then following it up with a belter against Quilmes (see below) and two against River Plate. I also doff my hat to Tigre’s normally hapless goalkeeper, Javier García. Four clean sheets is to be commended and perhaps if Tigre could actually score some goals they might win more games.
However, the player leading the goal scoring charts has helped Vélez Sarsfield climb to second in the table and a perfect start to the Copa Libertadores. Mauro Zárate was a big signing when he returned to Argentina before the Torneo Inicial but injury hampered his form last term. This season, as his partnership with Lucas Pratto has blossomed so has his goal return. Five in five for the former Birmingham City and Lazio front man bodes well for Vélez if they can keep him fit.

GOAL OF THE MONTH

There are two obvious contenders here and both involve Colón. Firstly, from the opening weekend during Racing’s comprehensive victory, Valentín Viola scored this superb bicycle kick.

But perhaps even better, certainly more surprising, was this thunderbolt from Colón’s, Gabriel Graciani.