Two months in now to the monster Primera season and it is starting to take shape (don’t worry it is still utterly prepostrous but the likely candidates are now coming to the surface). Four and a bit rounds of football in March spread across 68 matches have brought a great deal of action to get through. As always Golazo will try to recall any meaningful stories but importantly select a manager, player and goal of the month.

March witnessed perhaps the first two really significant clásicos of 2015 in Argentine football. Estudiantes celebrated victory in the clásico platense with a comfortable 3-1 win over Gimnasia in El Bosque to continue their period of dominance over their rivals in the last ten years and later in the month San Lorenzo deservedly defeated rivals, Huracán. Few could argue with the result as El Globo unfortunately caught Los Cuervos just as they were finding form.

Unfortunately the clásico was marred by the news that a supporter had died after falling from the stand while celebrating Mauro Matos’ goal and this was not an isolated incident in Argentine football. Over the month there were a number of violent clashes, most recently at Arsenal’s home match against Aldosivi that needed to be abandoned as a result, and with the AFAs ban on visiting supporters obviously not working, a rethink is needed.

However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Gerardo Martino’s Argentina were in action as they continue to prepare for the Copa América in June and although Lionel Messi missed out through injury, La Albiceleste recorded two wins agaisnt El Salvador and Ecuador in the United States. And it wasn’t just the senior side in action as Miguel Ángel Lemme led the under-17s to second place in the South American Championship. Brazil ended up winning the title but Argentina safely qualified for the World Cup later this year and begin planning to go one better in Chile.

The Copa Libertadores has now reached the crucial point of the group stage and although all six Argentine sides are still alive in their groups, shockingly River Plate are yet to win a match. Next week they travel to México to play Tigres with their future in the competition on the line. Marcelo Gallardo’s side are not playing too well but they are still undefeated in the league and celebrated winning the first ever Supercopa Euroamericana against Sevilla (Please note the sarcasm as I regard this “cup” with nothing but disdain).

Finally, if there was a ‘villian of the month’ then the title would undoubtedly go to Boca Juniors’ goalkeeper Agustín Orión after his horrendous tackle on San Martín’s Carlos Bueno left him with a broken leg. Bueno will miss the rest of the season and the AFA decided Orión will miss four matches.

That was March, and this is the Golazo Argentino awards….

Manager of the Month

Matías Almeyda is worthy of a mention here as he has turned around Banfield’s fortunes and after a successful month has them riding high in the table but the winner for March is Edgardo Bauza. After the disappointment of the home defeat to San Martín at the end of February, San Lorenzo have had a perfect March which has seen them climb to the top of the table for the first time since Bauza led them to the 2013 Torneo Inicial trophy.
Away victories over Estudiantes and Nueva Chicago in addition to clásico win over Huracán and a resounding victory over Lanús has Los Cuervos starting to resemble champions once again. Ten goals scored and only one conceded is a fabulous return over the month and although their Copa Libertadores hopes still hang in the balance, Wednesday night’s victory still gives them a shot of defending the title.

Player of the Month

Rosario Central have seen a dip in their form and despite remaining unbeaten, two consecutive draws with struggling sides has seen Eduardo Coudet’s side slip from the top of the table. One man, however, has remained the epitomy of consistency. Marco Ruben has scored in every match in March, including a hat-trick in the victory over Olimpo to lead the goal scoring charts and keep Central’s impressive run going.
The on-loan striker has been superb leading the line for Central and where some of his teammates’ performances have dropped off, the 28-year-old has maintained his form. An injury or dip from Ruben and no doubt Central would slide down the table even further.

Goal of the Month

Introduced last month and new to this season, the power is in your hands. It has been a goal-laden month so cutting it down just to these was tough. However, ten goals to choose from so watch, decide and vote.

Goal of the month for February as voted for by you was this delicious lob by Jonathan Calleri against Temperley