A little later than planned what with the hectic international schedule but after the first full month of the Superliga complete, here is a quick look back over September.
Before we get to domestic action, Argentina’s current woes continued and while Thursday’s goalless draw with Peru has now compounded the situation, September began with more dropped points. Venezuela left the Monumental with a 1-1 draw and while many at the time still felt confident that Jorge Sampaoli’s side would have enough to book their place in Russia, most of that optimism has now made way for doom and gloom. On Tuesday in Quito, all will be revealed.
The Copa Libertadores also reached the business end and River Plate going up against Lanús in the semi finals later this month represents Argentina’s interest. Marcelo Gallardo’s side, aiming to lift the title for the second time in three years, overturned a 3-0 first leg defeat to Jorge Wilstermann with a stunning 8-0 victory in the Monumental, while Lanús edged past San Lorenzo on penalties.
And in the Copa Sudamericana, Independiente and Racing both reached the quarter finals ahead of a potentially explosive clásico in the semis. El Rojo prevailed in a thrilling last 16 clash against Atlético Tucumán while Racing managed to hold out Corinthians to book their place.
While after a full month of the shiny, new Superliga not much has changed. Champions Boca Juniors still lead the way and look firm favourites to retain their title and did have River Plate keeping pace until Copa Libertadores distractions prompted a couple of draws.
But anyway, here are the various choices for who impressed in September…
Manager of the month
Boca Juniors are the only side with a 100% record and so in that sense it would be impossible to improve on Guillermo Barros Schelotto. However, the champions have by far the strongest squad and haven’t had any cup competition to juggle so Unión boss Leonardo Madelón is fully deserving of praise.
El Tatengue won only once in the final 12 games of last season but brought Madelón back to the club and have made an unbeaten start. Only two goals conceded and with a dangerous attack of Franco Soldano and Lucas Gamba, Unión sit in second after five rounds.
Player of the month
There are a number of players to have caught the eye so far this season and a few to have contributed to Boca Juniors taking an early lead at the top of the table but none more so than Pablo Pérez. As part of Los Xeneizes’ formidable midfield trio with Wilmar Barrios and Fernando Gago, Pérez has been at his very best in the box-to-box role. Bursting forward to support Darío Benedetto, Pérez already has three goals to his name and has understandably played himself into Jorge Sampaoli’s consideration.
Team of the month
Goal of the month
A) Jonathan Menéndez – TALLERES v Lanús
Que gol se mandó Menéndez!
¿Fue el más desequilibrante?
— Falso Nueve (@_falsonueve_) August 27, 2017
B) Gonzalo Martínez – RIVER PLATE v Banfield
#MeteGOL l Uno de los mejores goles de la fecha
El gol de Gonzalo “Pity” #Martínez para el 2-1 parcial de #River sobre #Banfield#Superliga pic.twitter.com/l14TUo7lyy— Metegol Radio (@metegol740) September 11, 2017
C) Nahitan Nández – BOCA JUNIORS v Godoy Cruz
📽 El gol de Nandez para el 4 – 1 y sentenciar la goleada de Boca sobre Godoy Cruz. pic.twitter.com/NoXRFsHv1T
— MundoBoca (@MundoBoca_net) September 17, 2017
D) Epifanio García – Argentinos Juniors v BELGRANO
2do gol del paragüa Epifanio García, que ponía el empate en el Diego Armando Maradona pic.twitter.com/m7VsMVqCRM
— DEFENDAMOS ALBERDI (@defendalberdi) September 17, 2017
E) Fernando Belluschi – Estudiantes v SAN LORENZO
#Superliga ¡Vos elegís el #GolDeLaFecha 4! Si te impactó el remate de Fernando Belluschi, de @SanLorenzo, dale RT o FAV 😍 pic.twitter.com/vhcw8QV1si
— Superliga Argentina (@argsaf) September 26, 2017
golazo argentino 