The familiar sound of jeers around the Estadio Libertadores de América leave Independiente president Hugo Moyano with much to think about over the summer break. The union leader came in for much of the anger from the stands and amid financial problems, a poorly performing team and an interim manager at the helm, El Rojo face a critical few weeks.
Fernando Berón hadn’t tasted defeat as interim coach but performances hadn’t exactly been convincing and on Friday evening another limp display was punished by Banfield.
Independiente saw plenty of the ball but looked clueless in attack and once in the final third would aimlessly pass the ball before a usually weak cross would either miss all intended targets or be defended with ease.
Former Racing defender Luciano Lollo dealt with everything thrown into the Banfield penalty area and after 68 minutes arrived unmarked at a corner to head in the only goal at the other end.
Banfield will be changing coaches over the summer and Julio César Falcioni’s last run as dragged the Taladro away from the relegation zone while it remains to be seen whether financial restrictions will see Berón handed the Independiente job on a permanent basis.
Earlier in Santa Fe the relegation picture became a little more murky as Aldosivi picked up a priceless 2-0 win over Colón, closing the gap between the drop and safety.
A Sebastián Rincón penalty just before the break gave the visitors the lead and although Aldosivi had to wait until stoppage time for an underhit backpass to gift Federico Andrada a second, there was no doubting which side deserved all three points.
Aldosivi remain in the relegation zone but have Colón just above them and despite El Sabalero reaching the Copa Sudamericana final only a few weeks ago, the worrying league position pushes manager Pablo Lavallén out the door.
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