Argentine round-up

Since the tragic death of a 14-year old boy on his way back to Rosario from a game, it's been hard to drum up any enthusiasm for Argentine football these last two weeks (that and it coincided with our correspondent's holiday). Anyway, here's what's been happening.

Week 3:
Lanús 3-6 Argentinos Juniors
Newell's Old Boys 4-2 Boca Juniors
Vélez Sársfield 2-1 Gimnasia
Tigre 2-2 Colón
Chacarita Juniors 2-1 Banfield
Estudiantes 2-0 San Lorenzo
River Plate 0-0 Rosario Central
Racing Club 2-4 Arsenal
Atlético Tucumán 0-0 Huracán
Godoy Cruz 0-0 Independiente

Argentinos Juniors were the stars, coming from 2-0 down to batter Lanús. Rodrigo Erammuspe put through his own net to make it 2-1 and then Argentinos were away, Nicolas Pavlovich with two as they ran into a 6-2 lead. Leandro Diaz pulled one back - mere consolation - and Argentinos finished a man down, Juan Sabia with his second yellow in stoppage time, though the game was over. Banfield fielded a virtual reserve side as they prepared to debut in the Copa Libertadores and went down to Chacarita despite Cristian Garcia putting the champions ahead on nine minutes. Atlético Tucumán and Rosario Central both picked up their first point of the campaign in goalless draws.

Week 4:
Rosario Central 1-1 Chacarita Juniors
Arsenal 0-2 Tigre
Banfield 2-0 Lanús
Huracán 0-0 Godoy Cruz
Gimnasia 1-0 Racing Club
Independiente 3-2 Estudiantes
San Lorenzo 0-0 Vélez Sársfield
Boca Juniors 0-0 Atlético Tucumán
Colón 1-0 River Plate
Argentinos Juniors 0a0 Newell's Old Boys

The match between Argentinos and Newell's was abandoned after 65 minutes, which means that Argentinos have still only played twice so far this season. Banfield, bouyed by Libertadores success, won well on their return to league action against nine man Lanús. Estudiantes are struggling in league and cup and lost again, Ignacio Piatti with the winner for Independiente after they'd blown a two-goal lead. Vélez could only manage a 0-0 draw with struggling San Lorenzo, but remain top of the table, although only by a single goal from Independiente, Colón and Godoy Cruz. Tucumán and Rosario both drew again for their second point of the campaign, but remain level at the bottom.

This week:

Chacarita Juniors v Colón
Vélez Sársfield v Independiente
Tigre v Gimnasia
Newell's Old Boys v Lanús
Racing Club v San Lorenzo
Banfield v Rosario Central
River Plate v Arsenal
Atlético Tucumán v Argentinos Juniors
Godoy Cruz v Boca Juniors
Estudiantes v Huracán

Banfield v Argentinos Juniors

Will Argentinos get through a game? Wednesday next week sees them try again against Banfield in the first of their abandoned clashes, but both have work to do before that against the bottom two, Banfield at home to Rosario and Argentinos at Atlético. Top game sees Vélez take on Independiente - first versus second - in what looks a cracker on paper. Estudiantes need to get their show on the road before it's too late and they go to Huracán this week.