Saturday’s matches in the 2011 Torneo Clausura saw a surprise win for All Boys away to Vélez Sarsfield which gives the Floresta outfit – impressive at home during the Apertura but less so on their travels – another big scalp for the season. Also in action were Racing and Boca Juniors, in the year’s first clásico, and although Racing had more of the play Boca ground out a 1-0 win in El Cilindro. There was a 2-1 win for Newell’s Old Boys at home to Lanús, and a 0-0 draw between Argentinos Juniors and Independiente. All the highlights are here.
Argentinos Juniors 0 – 0 Independiente
Newell’s Old Boys 2 – 1 Lanús
Vélez Sarsfield 1 – 2 All Boys
Racing Club 0 – 1 Boca Juniors
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Hasta El Gol Siempre 
Johnny’s Boca Update ! Yes, why not I ask myself, and I answer, well there are some reasons not to, but forge ahead regardless.
Boca emerged victorious from a difficult encounter with Racing. 1-0. The positives-Javier Garcia was back to his summer form with a number of nice saves and did a fine impression of the gone but not forgotten Pato. How so you ask ? Well, with an exquisitely placed long ball on the right side that Pablo Mouche quickly turned into the only goal of the match. Speaking of Mouche, another positive, as he continues his remarkable emotional transition to a responsible and productive member of the team. Perfect timing as well as Martin Palermo continues to lumber about and is only a very slow poacher at this point. Clemente had a fair match. Nicolas Colazo continues to show some promise as an option for left sided attacking midfielder, though I’m guessing he’ll get less time when Erviti and Riquelme are on the pitch together. The other postive, Boca’s defense was steadier and Falcioni made sure that Clemente and Monzon were more defensive minded in the second period so as to avoid those lethal counter attacks that ruined Boca’s opener with Godoy Cruz.
As for the minuses. Diego Rivero put on a poor display with an idiotic challenge earlier in the match that drew a yellow and he was eventually sent off with a second. Palermo was nowhere to be found. I also have some concerns about Battaglia as he seems to have lost some speed and quickness following his return from knee surgery. Maybe we will see a complete return to form, or maybe not.
Three biguns for Boca and a big match this coming Saturday against All Boys at La Bombonera. Sure to be interesting as El Ogro and El Burrito do their Mutt and Jeff interpretation.