In the seventeenth episode of Hand Of Pod, Seba rejoins Sam, Dan and Dan. He's not happy with the way referees have been treating his club, and he's not afraid to make his anger heard, but a little surprisingly it's another HOP-er who drops an expletive, for which we of course apologise unreservedly. We also... Continue Reading →
A youngster leaves Argentina, and a legend returns
It's been a week of big name moves in Argentina's footballing landscape, with three of the deals in particular standing out. On Friday it was confirmed that Diego Buonanotte will move from River Plate to Málaga of the Spanish First Division at the end of the season (he'll remain at the Núñez club for the... Continue Reading →
A week of managerial changes in Argentina
It's been a week of as many changes off the pitch as we expected following the exodus of managers in the closing few weeks and immediately after the conclusion of the Torneo Apertura. Julio César Falcioni took charge at Boca Juniors, who have now trained their sights on his former Banfield charge Walter Erviti; former... Continue Reading →
Riquelme’s return in time for the superclásico
To begin the superclásico previews this weekend, I've written a piece for ESPN Soccernet looking at the return of Juan Román Riquelme to competitive action for Boca Juniors last weekend, and what it might mean for his side when they visit River Plate on Tuesday. The other big issues surrounding the game, such as both... Continue Reading →
Cappa steps down as River Plate manager
After much speculation, Ángel Cappa has left River Plate as manager in a situation that's being reported as a resignation, but which he says is a sacking. After directing Monday afternoon's practice session, Cappa met with club directors, and president Daniel Passarella asked for his resignation so that a new manager can be named in... Continue Reading →
All Boys claim another scalp, and Vélez win a five-goal thriller
All Boys yet again beat big name opponents on Sunday, condemning River Plate to a 1-0 defeat in Floresta which complicates life no end for Ángel Cappa's men and lifts Albo yet again high up in the Promedio. Rumours that Ángel Cappa might be close to resigning as River manager are rife. Elsewhere on Sunday,... Continue Reading →
Floating down the river
My latest piece for ESPN Soccernet takes a look at what's becoming an increasingly deep rut for Ángel Cappa and his River Plate team, even as the fans have been adjusting to finally having a president they don't mind being in charge at the club. Diego Buonanotte and Rogelio Funes Mori are discussed, as well... Continue Reading →
Apertura: half-term reports from Argentina
Since we're now halfway (and a bit) through the 2010 Torneo Apertura, I thought I'd compile a very brief 'report' on each team so far, and how they're doing in relation to what they'd have hoped/expected at the start of the season. I'm aiming for a short summation of each side, so don't expect a... Continue Reading →
In Bed With Maradona again
My latest post at In Bed With Maradona, examining some of the peculiar things said by managers in the last few days (in particular River Plate's Ángel Cappa, Boca Juniors' Claudio Borghi, and Banfield's Julio César Falcioni) is online now. You can read it right here.
Thoughts from the weekend: River Plate 1 – 1 Quilmes
River Plate only managed a draw in the final match of the eighth round of the Torneo Clausura. They were playing Quilmes, a newly-promoted side and as such key opponents in River's own battle against the relegation promedio as well as supposedly easy targets for three points in the chase for the title. River were... Continue Reading →
Hasta El Gol Siempre 