1. San Lorenzo back on top for the first time since title triumph

Edgardo Bauza’s side have yet to really click and so have gone under the radar to some extent but last Saturday evening in Bajo Flores, San Lorenzo swept aside title hopefuls, Lanús and climbed to the top of the table. A sixth win in seven, the only blemish being the hiccup at home to San Martin, has Los Cuervos sitting atop of the Primera for the first time since winning the 2013 Inicial. Perhaps now it is time to consider them as serious challengers? Yes, Mauro Matos’ fine opener shortly before half time should have been ruled out for offside but Bauza’s boys played the entire second forty-five with ten men after Matías Caruzzo was sent off and added a further three goals. The 2013 title winning side had a touch more swagger about them and with Ignacio Piatti and Angel Correa, two undoubted match winners but this side is gradually growing in confidence. With plenty of options in attack and several goal scorers, San Lorenzo are now to be considered a threat to the other challengers. This Sunday they go to the Monumental to face unbeaten River, where we should learn a little more about both sides.

2. River are not doing badly for a struggling side

A top of the table clash is set for Sunday afternoon when San Lorenzo visit River Plate but you would not think it given the doom and gloom at times surrounding Marcelo Gallardo’s side. The word crisis may not have been used but River are not looking like the side that were tipped to win the Transición and who won the Copa Sudamericana last year. After drawing 3-3 against a pretty awful Arsenal side, River kept their first clean sheet of the season over the ten men of Godoy Cruz at home and then on Sunday came close to throwing away a two-goal lead against Gimnasia. Once again it took a late Rodrigo Mora goal to snatch the victory but it was not the performance that Marcelo Gallardo would have wanted. River’s once water-tight defence is leaking goals and is suddenly looked rather dependent on Mora in attack. However, for all their apparent troubles they are unbeaten in the league and sit only three points behind the leaders. Those leaders, San Lorenzo arrive at the Monumental on Sunday. Gallardo will not want to lose at home and drop six points behind but equally will be all too aware that next Wednesday River have a decisive Copa Libertadores match against Tigres in México. Defeat in this game and elimination would be even more costly.

3. Racing boosted by the return of Milito

Champions Racing picked up the three points that were expected of them when San Martin were the visitors to Avelleneda on Sunday afternoon. The fit again Diego Milito returned to the starting eleven and had an immediate impact as he linked up with Gustavo Bou for the opener before adding a second himself and killing the game before half time. Racing won at a canter against the newly promoted opposition to climb to eighth in the table but their dependency on Milito is obvious. Prior to the match Racing had a win percentage of 79% when Milito played in stark contrast to the 37% when the veteran Champions League winner is missing. When Milito is fit and partnered with Bou, Racing are a match for anyone but the strain of Copa Libertadores commitments is a lot to expect from a 35-year-old. Racing, like almost all of the sides in the Primera, do not have the squad to cope with key men missing. Milito, Bou and defender Lollo’s fitness will be vital if Racing are to reclaim the league or challenge for the Libertadores.

4. Crucero del Norte earn first (and possibly only) win

After bashing Crucero del Norte it is only fair to acknowledge their first win in the top flight even if it did come at home, on their almost illegally long grass, and against a Temperley side who are almost as poor. After only being founded in 1989 the bus company from Misiones should not be anywhere near the Primera but the 30-team top flight made that possible. Victory, if it was to happen, was always likely to occur in Garupá and so it proved on Saturday. Fabio Vázquez’s scrappy goal was enough for the historic win over Temperley and for the timebeing drags them alongside each other in the second relegation spot. It would not be surprising if this was their sole victory and Crucero remain firm favourites for relegation. If Temperley joined them it would not a surprise. At present Nueva Chicago sit bottom but with two to go down and presently the bottom eight being promoted sides it looks odds-on that it will be an immediate return to the Nacional B for two sides.

5. Policing failure as Arsenal see match abandoned

Arsenal have one of the smallest supports in the Primera and so the scenes on Monday evening that led to their match against Aldosivi being abandoned were another blow to the AFA and the police in their (half-hearted) to eradicate football violence. One of the leaders of Arsenal’s barra bravas was refused entry to the stadium and it prompted violent scenes both outside the stadium and in the stands. With the match just thirty minutes in and with Aldosivi leading Arsenal 1-0 the police and the referee decided call off the match. This on the same weekend that three top flight matches were already played behind closed doors due to incidents in the previous rounds. The AFA’s no visiting supporters policy is not working and the police are obviously failing if they are unable to control an event such as an Arsenal home match on a Monday evening. A new initiative must be created if this problem is to be addressed. A joint effort between the AFA, the clubs, the police and the government in stamping out the influence of the barra bravas is needed. As long as there is this constant finger pointing and blame shirking the problem will not go anywhere.

All the goals from Round seven….