Argentine Superliga roundup week 7: Rotation cost River and Lanus while Boca stroll to success

The Superliga returned this weekend after last week’s elections. Banfield kicked Fecha 7 off against Colon. Banfield drew their first game in over a year last weekend and added another draw to that number this weekend. A tight game saw both sides sharing the points, 1-1. Argentinos Juniors have started the season brightly but found themselves 0-2 down inside 15 minutes against Arsenal. The hosts were able to turn their deficit around and are now well clear of the relegation zone. Argentinos Juniors 3 x 2 Arsenal.

Lanus rotated their team after last week’s Copa Libertadores Semi-Final. They lost 1-0 to River but are still very much in the tie as they face River at home next week. Huracan took advantage of this and eased past Lanus in a 4-0 victory. Ramon ‘ Wanchope ‘ Abila scored a brace and proved his worth once again.

Union de Santa Fe continued their impressive start with a 2-0 win over Godoy Cruz. Estudiantes visited San Martin but found themselves 1-0 down early on. Luis Ardente converted the penalty and Estudiantes weren’t able to recover from their early deficit. San Martin 1 x 0 Estudiantes. A very precarious campaign so far from Los Pinchas.

Lautaro Martinez returned from his injury and proved his worth immediately. The 20-year old striker has been heavily linked with a move to Atletico Madrid but still, plays his games for La Academica. He scored on his return with a precise header and showed his talent once again. However, Racing Club were already 3-0 down and weren’t able to turn their deficit around despite Lautaro’s goal. Racing rotated their XI as well as they lost 1-0 to Libertad (PAR) in the Copa Sudamericana. Atletico Tucumán 3 x 1 Racing Club.

Talleres impressed on Saturday as they crushed River Plate in Cordóba. River Plate did indeed rotate a fair bit but still fielded a decent side. Impressive stuff from Talleres. Midfielder Juan Ramirez was MOTM as he bagged himself a brace. A loss in the Copa Libertadores will put pressure on Gallardo’s job as manager of River Plate.

Newell’s hosted Chacarita on Sunday in the early kick-off. Both teams really needed the 3 points but it was the Rosario side who took them all. Sarmiento exploded with emotion while he celebrated his first goal for Newell’s: It was his first in over 6 months. Bianchi added a second shortly before halftime and Newell’s were cruising. Juan Ignacio Alvarez brought back the tension in the 83rd minute but it was too little too late for Chacarita. The visitors haven’t won a game this season ( 2 draws, 5 losses).

On the contrary to Estudiantes, the other La Plata side did impress over the weekend. Gimnasia brushed Velez Sarsfield aside in a 4-0 victory. Nicolas Dibble stood out up front as he scored once and assisted twice on Sunday. San Lorenzo continued their good form under Dario Baggio as they visited Temperley. A much-earned victory for El Ciclon. Goals from Gudiño and Cerutti.

Boca eased past Belgrano in the Bombonera. An early own goal from Carlos Lema was followed up with a header from Colombian forward Cardona shortly before halftime. A Benedetto brace in the second half brought the scoreline up to 4-0. Another impressive victory for Boca who stands firm up top. They’ve won all of their 7 games so far, scoring 19 goals and only conceding once. Can anyone stop them?

Patronato surprisingly took the lead away at Independiente early on. It looked like the Rojinegros were going to take all three points but Meza rescued a point for Independiente in the 89th minute. Independiente 1 x 1 Patronato. The last two games in the Superliga ended in the same scoreline. Defensa y Justicia shared the points with Olimpo while Rosario Central drew away to Tigre. Olimpo, Rosario Central and Tigre have all failed to win a single game this season. A worrying start to say the least!