Last week, Argentina was shocked as news came out of the attempted assassination of Vice President, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. In response, all games on Friday were postponed, and played on Saturday.

When the football did resume, Fecha 17 saw Atlético Tucumán and Gimnasia go level on points at the top of the Liga Profesional. Velez Sarsfield suffered another defeat after heartbreak during the week against Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores.

Tucuman drop points again

Atlético Tucumán, who lost to Boca last time out, could only manage a 0-0 draw on Sunday night against Banfield.

Tucuman had 63% possession and from 23 shots had 5 on target compared to their opposition’s 6 (with 1 on target). With these stats, El Decano should have won the game and cannot keep dropping points if they are to remain at the top of the division.

San Lorenzo is next for Tucumán, who need to get back to winning ways. 

Gimnasia level at the top

Gimnasia’s 3-1 victory over Independiente places them alongside Tucumán at the top with an equal 33 points. They also have the same goal difference of 11 with both teams scoring 19 and conceding 8.

El Rojo took the lead early on when Facundo Ferreyra’s cross was volleyed in by Leandro Fernandez.

Gimnasia equalised in the 34th minute as Benjamin Dominguez scored a golazo from outside the box straight into the top corner.

They took the lead in the 52nd minute, Brahian Aleman headed in from a Leonardo Morales free-kick.

Four minutes later the victory was sealed when Guillermo Enrique crossed to Nicolas Contin who diverted his header into the net.

Despite the convincing scoreline, Gimnasia had just 36% possession. Although they did have 18 shots to Independiente’s 9.

Gimnasia face Newell’s this weekend where they will be vying for another three points.

Boca win three in a row

Boca Juniors made it three wins in a row with a 2-1 victory over Colon at El Cementerio de Los Elefantes.

The away side took the lead early on when Frank Fabra played in Norberto Briasco who fired into the bottom corner.

Colon levelled just before half-time as Luis Miguel Rodriguez smashed his penalty straight down the middle.

Boca’s winner came in the 74th minute, Martin Payero shot from distance was parried by goalkeeper Ignacio Francisco Chicco into the path of Luca Langoni who lashed the ball in.

Los Xeneizes had more possession with 56% but Colon had more shots with 17 to Boca’s 9. However, both sides managed the same shots on target of 7.

River on a roll

River Plate built on their 4-0 victory over Defensa y Justicia in the Copa Argentina during the week with a 2-0 win over Barracas Central at El Monumental.

Nicolás de la Cruz played a one-two with Lucas Beltran before firing in the opener in the 25th minute.

Los Millonarios were reduced to 10 men when Bruno Zuculini was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 66th minute.

Despite being a man down the home side secured the victory in stoppage time when Matias Suarez crossed to Miguel Borja who had time to take a touch before cannoning the ball into the top corner.

Marcelo Gallardo’s side had 66% possession and 15 shots with 4 on target. They also stopped their opponents from having a shot on target as their 9 attempts all missed. River takes on Boca in the SuperClasico this weekend.

Velez reeling after midweek humbling

Velez Sarsfield, who suffered a 4-0 defeat to Flamengo in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores semi-final on Thursday, lost again at the hands of Newell’s Old boys.

On a very dry pitch at the Estadio José Amalfitani, Newell’s secured a 1-0 thanks to a headed goal in the 57th minute by Juan Garcia from a Francisco Gonzalez cross.

The home side should have done better given they had 66% possession and 9 shots on target to La Lepra’s 4.

Velez has a mountain to climb this Thursday as they head to the Maracana for their return leg against Flamengo in the Libertadores.