A less action-packed month for a change as elections meant that there was an entire weekend without Primera football but that still left three rounds to go over in April and a few notable news stories to recall. Here is a quick run-down of what went on last month and who were chosen as Golazo’s Manager, Player and Goal of the Month.

The 45 Primera matches played over the three weekends of April did not come close to producing the level of drama that the conclusion of the Copa Libertadores group stage did and it was River Plate who were the big winners. Boca Juniors and Racing had already confirmed their places in relatively easy fashion but River needed what many referred to as a miracle to progress from group six. An unbelievable 5-4 win for group winners Tigres over Juan Aurich and a 3-0 win for River against San José in the Monumental saw Marcelo Gallardo’s side sneak through to the knockout stages with just one win in the group and even more tantalisingly they set up a last 16 clash with rivals Boca.

Estudiantes also needed a final day win to qualify, albeit in far less dramatic circumstances, to make it four Argentine clubs in the last 16 but there was heartache for Huracán and holders, San Lorenzo.

El Globo had given themselves a wonderful opportunity after the home victory over Cruzeiro but needing a win on the final night of the group, away to Mineros, Néstor Apuzzo’s side choked. A 3-0 defeat saw their Libertadores dream end and they were joined by city rivals San Lorenzo, who found the aptly titled ‘Group of death’ slightly too competitive. São Paulo’s win over Corinthians saw the Brazilian pair go through and Edgardo Bauza’s side tamely fail in their defence.

However, it wasn’t all doom and gloom for Huracán as they did lift the Supercopa Argentina after defeating River Plate in San Juan. The clash between the Torneo Final champions and the Copa Argentina winners is perhaps not Argentina’s most sought after trophy but Edson Puch’s goal provided El Globo a reason to cheer in what was a testing month for the club.

Back in the Primera, we had one clásico to speak of and it was Lanús that celebrated a derby day victory. The most recent installment of the clásico del Sur was a heated affair with more red cards than goals but Guillermo Barros Schelotto’s El Granate took the local bragging rights with the 2-1 win.

April also witnessed a plethora of managerial changes as four sides decided enough was enough amid a series of poor results and pulled the trigger. Juan Sebastián Verón oversaw his first firing as Estudiantes president, swiftly replacing Mauricio Pellegrino with former Barcelona defender, Gabriel Milito but more were to follow. Martín Palermo checked out of Arsenal, Dario Franco was shown the door at Defensa y Justicia and Gabriel Schurrer walked away from Crucero del Norte after being informed his contract wouldn’t be renewed in June.

Eight managerial changes already this season and with a few others under increasing pressure we can safely expect this number to increase in the coming weeks.

That was April and these are the awards….

Manager of the Month

There were two sides that notched up 100% records during April and while Marcelo Gallardo and his River Plate side should be commended for that while in the process reaching the top of the table and qualifying from their Copa Libertadores group, their success was expected (plus they lost the Supercopa, although I am loathed to hold that against a side).
Somewhat more of a surprise package this season are Belgrano, who despite losing Julio Furch and Picante Pereyra in the summer have come back even stronger in 2015. Ricardo Zielinski restructured well in the close season and Claudio Pérez has shored up their defence while the pace and skill of Lucas Zelarayán and Emiliano Rigoni make them a real threat in attack. All this has seen Belgrano notch up five straight wins over March and April and climb to fourth in the table, just four points behind leaders River.
Zielinski should be credited with this up-turn in the sides fortunes after a wildly inconsistent Transición and while they are unlikely to mount a serious challenge for the title, Belgrano should be on course for a very respectable league position.

Player of the Month

Like his River manager, Fernando Cavenaghi just misses out after a fine month in which the veteran striker has scored three in three and helped River to the top of the table at the end of April.
A goal a game is an enviable strike-rate for any centre forward but Rosario Central centre back, Alejandro Donatti also managed the feat and takes the accolade of player of the month. Central’s early season form has dropped off but they remain unbeaten and part of the reason for that is the form of Donatti.
The 28-year-old scored a spectacular free-kick in the 3-3 draw away to Defensa y Justicia before heading an injury time winner against San Martín and a late equaliser in La Plata against Estudiantes.
Central’s inability to keep a clean sheet has seen them draw five out of their last six and drop in the table but Donatti’s personal achievements should be recognised.

Goal of the Month

Little time this month to put together a compilation for you to choose from so it is just an editor’s pick from me (sorry about that). Goal of the Month for March was Pablo Barrientos’ outrageous strike for San Lorenzo against Estudiantes.

For April, there was less of a selection to choose from, and the goal I have plumped for is in stark contrast to the power and accuracy displayed by Barrientos but it is equally pleasing on the eye.

Former River Plate defender, Leandro González Pirez cut through the entire Estudiantes side to score what would have been an outstanding goal for anyone, but for a central defender is sensational. The 23-year-old picks the ball up not far outside his own penalty box and strides over halfway, beats two players before playing the ball out wide and continuing his run. Carlos Luna rolls the ball back across the penalty box and González Pires is there to stroke the ball into the bottom corner from the penalty spot. Enjoy….