Yes, it’s Monday again, and that must mean it’s time to run through the results from the first weekend of the 2008 Torneo Apertura. Champions River Plate avoided defeat in the stadium known as ‘The Elephants’ Graveyard’ thanks to a second half equaliser from their new Uruguayan starlet, Boca gave Gimnasia de Jujuy a twonking and both the promoted clubs won. There was a thriller in Rosario which was settled by a screamer from Kily González and Racing… well, Racing lost. It may be a new season, but some things, it seems, never change.
Primera División A Torneo Apertura 2008, first round:
San Martín de Tucumán (M. Turdó 13; J.L. Monge 32) 2 – 0 Huracán
Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata 0 – 1 Newell’s Old Boys (G. Ré 24)
Arsenal Fútbol Club (F. Sava 5, 69; A. Gómez 56) 3 – 0 Argentinos Juniors (N. Gorosito (manager) OFF 80; S. Escudero OFF 83)
Rosario Central (E. Zelaya 4; A. Danelón 9; C. González 50) 3 – 2 Estudiantes de La Plata (M. Boselli 40, 51)
Banfield (N. Bertolo 8) 1 – 2 Godoy Cruz Antonio Tomba (J. Castillo 2, 20)
Vélez Sársfield 0 – 0 Independiente
Colón de Santa Fe (A. Capurro 39) 1 – 1 River Plate (R. Flores 54)
Boca Juniors (R. Noir 47; L. Gracián 57; S. Battaglia 78; F. Vargas 88) 4 – 0 Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy (F. Pieters OFF 63)
Racing Club 0 – 2 Lanús (J. Sand 63, 74)
San Lorenzo de Almagro 0 – 1 Tigre (J. Blanco 25)
As per usual, check back on Monday night for the goal videos.
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Well, nice to get the season rolling and too bad we have to wait two weeks to get back into it again. Is it me, or did Racing look even worse than last tournament ? I think its going to be another long struggle for them. As for my fav, Boca-a very im pressive second period, and Ischia’s two halftime substitutes, Noir and Gracian, both scored in the first twelve minutes. I would like to see Noir on the pitch more, and Castroman less. The only negative-will Hugo Ibarra be able to return to his pre injury form ? So far the answer is “no”. He really struggled at times yesterday.
You thought Racing looked worse? I thought the first half was a slight improvement, at least the ‘pibes’ looked committed and as though they might have a future at the club: give me Prichoda and Zucculini over those hopeless guys from last season any day.
The problem is, this team seems to have no main striker. What is happening with Campora? If he can have anything like the impact he had with Tiro Federal, we should be okay. Lanus played some pretty good stuff in the second half, and will be up there with Boca, a better indication of Racing’s status will be Huracan next week.
I believe that Huracan will be relegated along with San Martin de Tucuman, and Jujuy and Godoy Cruz will play promocion. Racing and GELP will both struggle, but just about get clear, I hope. To lose one or both of these historic sides would be a major blow to the league, despite what Independiente and Estudiantes fans might say.
Good start for young Flores, hopefully he can step into that Ortega shaped void.