At the end of 2019 it appeared as though no side wanted to take control of the title race and as the Superliga resumed on Friday evening, Argentinos Juniors, Lanús and Vélez Sarsfield all squandered opportunities to momentarily at least go top.
Surprise leaders over Christmas, Argentinos Juniors had already seen River Plate win a game in-hand since the new year to join them at the summit and so a strong start to 2020 was paramount for Los Bichos. Unión however had other ideas and a splendid Franco Troyansky goal only eleven minutes into their meeting in Santa Fe clinched the points.
Troyansky’s curling effort from outside the box had given the home side an early lead and when Francis Mac Allister was shown a second yellow card just before half time Argentinos’ task became even more difficult.
Unión should have made it more comfortable with Walter Bou spurning a glorious chance but with Diego Dabove’s title hopefuls unable to find an equaliser all that was left in stoppage time was for the visitors to be reduced to nine men, Elías Gómez shown his second yellow by Andrés Merlos.
Unión 1 – 0 Argentinos Juniors
River Plate and Boca Juniors’ evening had already gone well as two other sides slipped up in their efforts to climb the table. Lanús travelled to Mar del Plata but weren’t able to enjoy their time at the coast like so many others from Buenos Aires in January, instead suffering a 2-0 defeat to Aldosivi.
A fine Federico Gino strike gave Aldosivi an early lead and with an impotent Lanús attack unable to find a way back, the home side sealed the points in stoppage time as Facundo Bertoglio ran clear to slot in a second.
The win breathes life into Aldosivi’s survival hopes as they hover just above the drop zone while Lanús remain second, a point off the top.
As do Vélez Sarsfield after they failed to find a way past Gimnasia. A game of few clear chances, Diego Maradona’s new throne provided the main talking point.
El Lobo offered very little in attack and were indebted to new goalkeeper Jorge Broun for keeping out a stinging Lucas Janson shot during the first half. The goalless draw does little for either time with Gimnasia still a long way from safety and Vélez missing a chance to apply pressure at the top.
And finally, Rosario Central left it late but came from behind to defeat Huracán.
Israel Damonte making his managerial bow in charge of El Globo looked like he would be celebrating with three points after Norberto Briasco’s goal on the hour mark gave Huracán the lead.
However, five minutes from time a Sebastián Ribas header bounced off the crossbar and in off goalkeeper Antony Silva to pull Central level and deep in stoppage time Fabián Rinaudo found the bottom corner from 25 yards out.
Ensuring they don’t get sucked back into the relegation mix remains Central’s priority but victory puts Diego Cocca’s side in fourth and only a point behind River.
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