Independiente’s struggles continued on Saturday evening in Avellaneda as Jorge Almirón’s side produced another lacklustre display in the absence of captain, Federico Mancuello. A drab first half against Gimnasia was drawing to an end when Matías Pisano set up Lucas Albertengo for his fifth of the season but once again defensive failings allowed their opponents to strike back. With the last kick of the half, Maxi Coronel was left completely unmarked at a corner and was able to poke the ball past Diego Rodríguez. Understandably it was El Rojo that pressed for the victory after the break but without the injured Mancuello there was no incisiveness and the game limped to a draw.
In Liniers, it was the performance of referee Germán Delfino that made the headlines but Vélez’s eventual victory over Arsenal leaves Martín Palermo’s job in real danger. Emiliano Amor put El Fortín in front after a dreadfully defended set-piece and although Santiago Silva equalised with his first goal for his new club (against one of his former clubs) the controversy was to come. The game locked at 1-1 a cross from the right was swung into the Arsenal box, Mariano Pavone challenged defender Dany Rosero for the ball and it appeared to come off a hand. The hand in question was Pavone’s but Delfino pointed to the spot and sent off Rosero. With Rosero off the pitch and arguments raging, Delfino realised his error and reversed his decision sending Vélez manager, Miguel Russo into a rage. However, with ten minutes remaining Pavone did win his side a spotkick when he was pulled to the ground by Matías Toro leaving Milton Caraglio to slot in the winning goal. It ended a run of three straight defeats for Vélez but leaves Arsenal in a terrible state. Three consecutive defeats, five losses in eight and still winless. If Palermo survives this his fate could be sealed when they host Newell’s in round nine.
golazo argentino 