After the disastrous Clausura, Boca Juniors maintained their fine form of the Apertura campaign with 2-1 defeat of Lanús at La Fortaleza. Coupled with the opening draw with Argentinos since taking over from Carlos Ischia in July, veteran manager Alfio Basile is moving quickly stem the tide of discontent that swarmed La Bombonera with classic Boca styling.

Still without the services of epitome of an enganche, Juan Román Riquelme, Mr. Basile made only one adjustment to his opening week lineup summoning Guillermo Marino for Nicolás Gaitán. Boca broke the deadlock sixteen minutes into the match as Paraguayan international Julio César López latched poorly cleared ball in the area before sending it into the net past Lanús ‘keeper Mauricio Caranta from six metres. However the lead did not last long as five minutes later Lanús veteran Agustín Pelletieri headed in a corner from the right to the near post to square the match up. Lanús, that finished third in the Clausura behind Vélez Sarsfield and Huracán flourished in the attack after the break but the final touch was lacking. Finally with eleven minutes remaining in regulation Martín Palermo rose high to nod in Pablo Mouche’s corner in from nine metres. Five minutes later Mr. Basile tactically adjusts his lineup with Nicolás Gaitán entering for Pablo Mouche as Boca shuts down the hosts advances and claims the important 2-1 victory.

Lanús returns to play on 2 September against Argentinos Juniors whilst Boca welcomes Newell’s Old Boys to La Bombonera the following day.

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