Miguel Micó, fed up of a board who effectively decimated his first team squad in January, and then told him to acheive survival anyway, has quit his job as Racing manager. He's been replaced by Claudio Cristofanelli, a youth-team coach and former player for the club. In Boedo, meanwhile, Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro... Continue Reading →
Dropping further
A managerial debut for Antonio Mohamed on Friday night, with his first match in charge of Colón a 0-0 draw at home to Gimnasia, a result which means his new side will continue in the relegation zone for at least a week longer. Racing, though, once again take the wooden spoon for the day after... Continue Reading →
Clausura ’08: Round 5 fixtures
No fewer than four clásicos this weekend, two between 'Big Five' clubs - Racing host San Lorenzo and Independiente visit Boca - one sort-of derby, an all-Santa Fé Province clash between Central and Colón, and a proper derby between two of the clubs from the zona Sur of Gran Buenos Aires, with Banfield visiting champions... Continue Reading →
Racing away from success
The kind folk at Pitch Invasion have published another of my musings, this time on the opening weeks of the Clausura and Racing's truly terrible start to the year. 'Micó isn't to blame - he only came in after Gustavo Costas left in December – and nor are most of his players. Aside from the... Continue Reading →
Different ambitions
One of the smaller clubs in the Greater Buenos Aires region hosted one of the biggest on Friday night, but a complete newcomer to Argentine football would have had difficulty picking out which was which. Racing have struggled for a while but now they've fallen to the curse of the perennial underdog - playing well... Continue Reading →
Clausura ’08: Round 1 scores and scorers
River Plate were the only one of the 'Big Five' to win on the opening weekend of the Clausura, with Racing and Boca both drawing and San Lorenzo and Independiente both crashing to defeats. Carlos Ischia's introduction to competitive action was spoiled by a club he used to manage, as Central proved ungenerous hosts to his... Continue Reading →
Last-minute dealings
On the eve of the Clausura, Argentine clubs have been trying to get through one or two last-minute deals, with Independiente finally signing Freddy Grisales after much coming and going, and Andrés D'Alessandro and Maxi Moralez being unveiled at their respective new (or in Moralez's case, old) clubs. Arsenal de Sarandí, though, have pulled off... Continue Reading →
Torneo Clausura 2008: The eve of the kick off
The 2008 Torneo Clausura kicks off at long last following the summer break on Friday evening, with Lanús aiming to defend the title they won so improbably back in December, whilst the likes of Boca will be wanting to get back to winning ways. Other big sides need improved performances, for a variety of reasons,... Continue Reading →
Light at the end of the tunnel?
Racing's abysmal pre-season has received a small ray of sunshine on Tuesday, with the news that former fans' favourite Maxi Moralez will return to the club on a one-year loan deal from FC Moscow, the club he joined at the start of the 2007-2008 season. Racing manager Miguel Micó will be hoping the youngster can provide... Continue Reading →
Little to say
Racing and Independiente played out the most boring match of the 2008 Torneo de Verano on Sunday night, drawing 0-0 in front of stultified fans in Mendoza. With this result, Independiente lead the table, and will claim the title unless River beat San Lorenzo in the one remaining match, on Tuesday night. Very little happened... Continue Reading →
Hasta El Gol Siempre 