BUENOS AIRES, Aug 6 -
Estudiantes gave former Argentina midfielder Juan Sebastian Veron a winning
return on Sunday as they won 1-0 at Quilmes in the Apertura championship.
It was an emotional afternoon for the former Manchester United, Inter Milan
and Lazio midfielder, who was playing his first game for 11 years at the club
where he was raised.
Veron played a part in the only goal as his long cross was misjudged by
goalkeeper Fabian Ramirez, hit the crossbar and was tucked away by Mariano
Pavone in the 33rd minute.
"I was very moved by the reception I got from the supporters, I've missed the
Argentine public," said Veron, who has spent the last ten years of his career in
Europe.
It was also Estudiantes's first game under former Argentina captain Diego
Simeone.
Striker Martin Palermo scored twice as defending champions Boca Juniors
kicked off with a 3-0 win over Banfield.
Palmero scored the first in the 58th minute after Sebastian Battaglia found
him unmarked in the area and the last in the 76th minute at the second attempt
after his first shot was blocked.
Battaglia scored the other goal in between as he took advantage of poor
marking by Banfield.
RIVER WIN
River Plate, Independiente, Racing Club and San Lorenzo, the other major
Buenos Aires teams, also kicked off with wins.
River won 2-0 at Lanus thanks to a Maximiliano Vasquez own goal early in the
second half followed immediately by a strike from teenager Gonzalo Higuain.
Former Argentina international Ariel Ortega came on in the second half as,
like Veron, he returned to the club where he began his career.
Independiente gave 1986 World Cup winner Jorge Burruchaga a winning start as
their new coach by trouncing Colon 4-1 away.
Sergio Orteman, German Denis, Rodrigo Diaz and Daniel Montenegro shared the
goals in the second half after Colon had led at halftime through an Esteban
Fuertes penalty.
Two late penalties converted by striker Facundo Sava gave Racing Club a 2-0
win over newly promoted Nueva Chicago on the return of coach Reinaldo Merlo.
Merlo was in charge in 2001 when they won the Apertura championship to end a
35-year wait for a major trophy.
A third-minute goal from Jonathan Bottinelli gave San Lorenzo a 1-0 win at
Gimnasia-Jujuy.
