1. Boca strike first in the Superclásico trilogy
Quite frankly in a week (or just over) where Boca Juniors face River Plate three times there are no further talking points as the superclásico dominates the news. Sunday evening saw Part One conclude in La Bombonera when the sides met in the league, prior to their Copa Libertadores clash, and it was Boca who drew first blood.
Despite their lofty collective status as the pinnacle of Argentine football it is not all too common that Boca and River meet when both are at the peak of the domestic game. Sunday’s Primera match though was the first time in the 102 year history of the fixture that the two sides met not only as joint league leaders but also still unbeaten. This fact, along with the forthcoming Libertadores matches gave an already electric event an even greater sense of occasion.
As expected it was an evenly contested, nervy affair in which both sides enjoyed spells of superiority and came close to scoring but it was ultimately Boca and their superior squad depth that came through. The introduction of Fernando Gago took control of the midfield for Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s side and goals from substitutes, Cristian Pavón and Pablo Pérez wrapped up a 2-0 win.
The victory gave Boca the outright lead at the top of the table but with Thursday night’s Libertadores first leg just around the corner there is no time for either side to ponder on the result.
2. Tigre and Belgrano continue to impress
While Boca, River and San Lorenzo’s relative success that sees them leading the way in the league is little surprise, the form of Tigre and Belgrano was far harder to predict.
Since Gustavo Alfaro arrived in Victoria, Tigre have improved enormously but the inconsistency which crept in during the Transición has gradually reduced and a third consecutive win at the weekend puts his side up to sixth. Under Alfaro, Tigre are now a much more compact unit and boast one of the best defensive records in the Primera but are also posing more of a threat going forward. Leandro González Pires has impressed in defence, particularly his ability to bring the ball out from the back and the experienced Carlos Luna is finding the net. Although they have benefitted from a kind set of fixtures at the start of 2015, Tigre should be pleased by their return. Lanús, River and Independiente up next should give a better indication of where Gustavo Alfaro’s side are.
I have already mentioned Belgrano in previous weeks but Ricardo Zielinski should also be commended for the job he is doing in Córdoba. On Sunday, his side missed the chance to go second after a draw with Unión but five wins from their last six and a side full of pace and attacking intent, Belgrano look in good shape.
3. Atlético Rafaela finally end wait for a win
It took eleven matches and cost Roberto Sensini his job but Atlético Rafaela finally notched up their first win of the campaign against Defensa y Justicia. The three points does little to improve their league standing but checking out of the now diminished group of winless sides should improve morale.
The loss of Lucas Albertengo, who departed for Independiente, was always going to be a blow for La Crema and goals have been hard to come-by but that only explains one aspect of what has been a very disjointed and fragile side in 2015.
With no real goalscorer in the side, it is likely to remain a struggle for Rafaela but in a division of 30 teams, they must look to pick up three points against most of the bottom third sides. Their victory on Sunday leaves just Olimpo and Nueva Chicago still winless and Atleti must now look a little further up the table.
4. Managerial changes last week fail to yield results
Over the past couple of weeks, four Primera clubs decided that enough was enough and swung the axe on their managers. Estudiantes and Mauricio Pellegrino, Arsenal and Martín Palermo, Defensa y Justicia and Dario Franco and Crucero del Norte and Gabriel Schurrer all parted company with one another.
Clubs would normally hope for at least an initial reaction and an improvement in results but all four sides failed to win in round eleven. Arsenal lost at home to struggling Quilmes, Defensa y Justicia provided Atlético Rafaela with their first win of the season under new boss José Flores and Crucero del Norte were as they have been, at least in Garupá, and picked up a point in a goalless draw. All three sides were almost identical to how they have been under their previous managers and perhaps with the exception of Arsenal, it is difficult to see how a new manager will take them forward.
In the case of Estudiantes, Gabi Milito oversaw his first Primera match as El Pincha were left frustrated in a goalless draw away to Olimpo. However, Tuesday night’s Copa Libertadores last 16 match was undoubtedly the priority. Milito looks to have the tools to be a success in La Plata and once the distraction of the Libertadores is out of the way, his side will be judged properly.
golazo argentino 