More fútbol argentino than you can shake a mullet at
Following Newell's Old Boys' victory over River Plate on Saturday, the other sides hoping to keep up in the race for the title had to win on Sunday, and two of them managed it. Banfield overcame San Lorenzo 1-0 in Boedo for their first win away to El Cuervo in 13 years, and Estudiantes brushed... Continue Reading →
I've been in Barcelona on holiday since Wednesday, hence the lack of action on HEGS during the past few days, but before I left I still kept myself busy off-blog by writing a piece for ESPN Soccernet on the managerial pressures at Argentina's two domestic giants, River Plate and Boca Juniors. If you'd like to... Continue Reading →
Some news that's breaking as I go to bed on Sunday night: Néstor Gorosito looks certain to resign as River Plate manager on Monday after his side's 1-0 loss to Arsenal de Sarandí, but now Alfio Basile could well be joining him in the dole queue after he presented his resignation to Carlos Bianchi in... Continue Reading →
Boca Juniors hosted Argentine champions Vélez Sársfield in the final Copa Sudamericana preliminary first leg for Argentina's sides on Thursday night, and took a very early lead through Pablo Mouche to get Alfio Basile's latest term at the club off to a flying start. They controlled the game thereafter with Vélez looking rather off the... Continue Reading →
That headline doesn't quite work as a pun, does it? The name of Boca Juniors' stadium means 'sweet box', you see, and Coco is a bit like cocoa, which is chocolate, and oh never mind. Maybe 'Alfajor Basile' would have been better? Hmm? No, alright then. On Saturday evening Alfio 'Coco' Basile was convinced by... Continue Reading →
As Alfio Basile was resigning as Argentina manager last night, I was preparing to email an article to Soccernet about the pressure he was under. A complete re-write ensued (at one o'clock in the bloody morning with work the following day - thanks, Coco!), and you can read the result now, taking in Basile's resignation... Continue Reading →
Breaking news from the AFA: Alfio Basile has met with AFA bigwigs, and TN are reporting as I type that he's resigned from his post in charge of the selección. Olympic coach Sergio Batista, River Plate manager Diego Simeone, and San Lorenzo boss Miguel Angel Russo are the early favourites to replace him. 'He had... Continue Reading →
On Thursday, the Argentine squad went their separate ways as they returned to club duty following Wednesday night's pathetic surrender to neighbours Chile in Santiago. Speaking at Ezeiza airport before flying back to Barcelona, Lionel Messi own up to his own mistakes frankly, whilst Real Madrid defender Gabriel Heinze did likewise. There'll be work to... Continue Reading →
After finally ending a run of six matches without defeat in a 2-1 win over Uruguay on Saturday, Argentina followed it up on Wednesday night by losing to trans-Andean neighbours Chile for the first time ever in a competitive match. It was a win Marcelo Bielsa's team thoroughly deserved, and followed on from Paraguay's one-goal... Continue Reading →
With Messers Tevez and Riquelme suspended, and Sergio Agüero injured, Barcelona's Lionel Messi will be the only one of Argentina's 'fantastic four' (the phrase is Olé's and not, I would like to impress upon you, my own) who will feature against Chile in Santiago on Wednesday night. Agüero, who only picked up a minor knock... Continue Reading →
Hasta El Gol Siempre 