csconstantine.com

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP)—Racing and Lanus picked up victories Saturday to move near the top of the Argentine Clausura tournament.

Both clubs improved to six points from three matches.

Jonathan Bottinelli’s header gave San Lorenzo a 1-0 lead in the 11th of the derby match with Racing. But Teofilo Gutierrez equalized for Racing with a diving header in the 44th, and he scored the decider in the 55th, this time chipping in from close-range.

Lanus defeated Quilmes 2-1 on two first-half goals by Diego Valeri. Valeri opened the scoring in the 10th before Pablo Garnier equalized with a header for Quilmes in the 35th. Valeri edged Lanus back into the lead in the 38th with his second goal, this time a 20 meter (yards) ground-hugging strike.

Valeri leads the league with four goals.

Boca Juniors managed only a 0-0 draw with All Boys.

All Boys goalkeeper Nicolas Cambiasso was in top form and made a handful of great saves to keep the match scoreless in the first half.

However, two minutes into first-half injury time, Boca appeared to have scored after a goal-mouth scramble but referee Sergio Pezzotta disallowed the goal by Nicolas Colazo.

All Boys played a man short when Juan Pablo Rodriquez was sent off in the 84th on a straight red card.

New Boca coach Julio Cesar Falcioni left star midfielder Juan Roman Riquelme out of the squad, and is sure to be criticized for that move. Riquelme, who was injured two weeks ago, said he was ready to play but was overlooked by Falcioni.

On Friday, Olimpo drew 3-3 against Godoy Cruz and Gimnasia defeated Colon 3-1.

On Sunday: Estudiantes vs. Banfield, Argentinos vs. Velez, Independiente vs. River Plate. On Monday: Huracan vs. Arsenal, Tigre vs. Newell’s.

Labels: Lanus, Racing, victories