Julio César Falcioni took charge of Independiente once again on Monday evening and if supporters were concerned before by his appointment, the lack of transfer activity and the club’s worrying financial state there was little on the pitch to put their minds at ease. Copa Sudamericana runners-up Lanús deservedly won 1-0 to begin their campaign in positive fashion after that disastrous defeat to Defensa y Justicia and rumours of Luis Zubeldía being unhappy at the lack of new faces.

A decent enough start by Independiente saw Alan Velasco and Alan Soñora go close but the lack of attacking options quickly became apparent as Lanús gradually took control as the game wore on.

The second half was dominated by the visitors and Guillermo Burdisso had already headed against the woodwork before the former Independiente defender sent a diving header past Sebastián Sosa in the 67th minute.

Independiente never looked like finding an equaliser and with little activity in the market expected it could be another miserable season for El Rojo.

It was a first game in charge for Gabriel Milito at Argentinos Juniors too and just as it was for Falcioni, it ended in defeat for the 40-year-old. Rosario Central proving too strong at the Gigante de Arroyito for a sub-par Argentinos.

There had already been a let off when goalkeeper Lucas Chaves went unpunished for a trip on Central forward Lucas Gamba but it provided only a temporary reprieve as Mexican youngster Luca Martinez Dupuy scored his first for the Canalla.

One became two in the space of a minute with Gamba doubling Central’s lead before the break and in truth the home team should have extended that lead in the second half.

18-year-old Juan Pucheta pulled one back for Argentinos five minutes from time but it proved nothing more than a consolation.