In El Sur, Lanús and Banfield cancelled each other out in a decent but not exactly stunning clásico on Friday night. Gimnasia La Plata, in a match which could have been crucial for the relegation struggle, beat San Martín de Tucumán 1-0 on the same evening, whilst Saturday’s matches have begun with an away win for Central over Huracán to edge them a tiny bit closer to Racing in the Promedio.
In Lanús, Diego Lagos put the hosts ahead 33 minutes into a first half which had been characterised by indecision on both sides. Lanús’s young side were relying too heavily on playmaker Sebastián Blanco to generate chances, whilst Banfield launched a few too many aerial balls forward. If nothing else, at least the neutral observer could say that it wasn’t as one-sided as the 5-0 win for Banfield in the same fixture back in March, when Lanús were the defending champions.
Lagos’ goal came after a free kick towards the back post was only half headed away, and the striker was given the time in the box to chest the ball down and hit it back at the goal. Banfield ‘keeper Cristian Lucchetti got a hand to it but only succeeded in looping the ball over his own head and into the net. Just nine minutes later, Banfield were back level, after finally deciding to work the ball down the right. Gustavo Gómez got in a high cross to the far post where Nicolás Bertolo rose above his marker to head in. In the second half, there were no further goals, and Banfield, without having played too well, could take some solace in having prevented Lanús from picking up a further two points which would have taken them – provisionally – third in the table.
In La Plata, Ignacio Piatti had already been sent off for the home side by the time Gimnasia took the lead all the same after Mariano Messera capped off a quite superb flowing team move with a curling shot into the bottom corner to beat one of El Lobo’s direct rivals for relegation. And on Saturday afteroon in La Paternal, Huracán lost after three matches unbeaten. Central ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals in the 31st minute from Gervasio Núñez, and the 66th from Milton Caraglio.
Filed under: 2008 Torneo Apertura, Argentine football, Argentine league, Banfield, Clásicos, Descenso, Domestic, Football, Football clubs, Gimnasia, Huracán, Lanús, Primera A, Results, Rosario Central, San Martín de Tucumán | Tagged: Apertura 2008, Argentine football, clásico, Gimnasia San Martín, Huracán Rosario Central, Lanús Banfield, Primera A
Great win for Gimnasia, but Gutierrez of San Martin has lost his side points for the second week running. I have a feeling we won’t see him in Clausura. He seems to have been around for ever anyway, but is losing his reactions, I reckon.
As for Huracan, their defence is still hopeless, you know what I’m gonna say next – bet you they go down. That promedio is too shaky to relax, and Angel Cappa is not the coach for such a situation. He hasn’t got time to develop them into a lovely footballing side, and Cesar Gonzalez flashes of brilliance won’t win enough matches.