Hello and welcome to the penultimate edition of your guide to all things Apertura. With only one game to go before the season closes everything is still to play for at the top of the table, with Newell’s and Banfield both capable of lifting the title. This will be touched upon, but mostly expect bitter ramblings about how Racing were robbed at El Monumental last night. Don’t say I didn’t warn you…
The game last night, which will of course be covered in detail below, was a double blow for me. I brought along my housemate Jenni to stand with the Racing away hinchas, despite her being Gallina through and through (no-one’s perfect). Cue much rivalry and banter between us about who was going to end up victorious. Which ended up in a frankly disastrous bet being made in which the loser has to wait hand and foot on the winner for an entire day. That loser being me. So very soon in the future I expect to be woken up by a bell to serve breakfast in bed and god knows what else to that lucky Argentine chica. If ever proof was needed that betting is a mug’s game this is it; above all if you bet on Racing to win.
On to the highlights of fecha 18:
It’s Going Down to the Wire:
Newell’s Old Boys & Banfield both registered wins to ensure the title will be decided with the last game of the season. The games will be played concurrently at 5pm on Saturday, ensuring as much fairness as possible.
Banfield are undoubtedly in the driving seat after struggling to a 1-0 home victory over Tigre. El Taladro showed little of the form that has driven them to the brink of a historic championship, and with six minutes remaining of a poor game they were deadlocked at 0-0. Defender Victor López however had other ideas, and headed home from a Banfield set piece to finally break down the fierce Tigre resistance. El Taladro now only need to win or match Newell’s result to ensure that they finishing champions. This will be no mean feat however in the cauldron that is La Bombonera, away to Boca Juniors.
Newell’s meanwhile kept themselves in the chase with a comfortable 2-0 win the over struggling Gimnasia L.P. The game was effectively over by half time, after a free kick from 20 metres was blasted in by the impressive Mauro Fórmica. The result was sealed by yet another goal from Joaquín Boghossian, who latched on to a smart pass from Fórmica and slotted the ball into the back of the net. Los Lepros now have to win at San Lorenzo on Saturday to have any chance at the Apertura, but it is certain that of the two they have the more favourable fixture.
Copa Capitulation:
San Lorenzo suffered an inexplicable defeat at home against southern rivals Lanús to wave goodbye to hopes of qualifying for next year’s Copa Libertadores. The team from Nueva Pompeya were in control of the match and pressing for a goal to break the deadlock. Step up Gastón Aguirre, two goal hero against Boca to once again provide the goal. The only problem was that it was in his own net; the defender completely miscued a goalline clearance to score an own goal, sending the few Lanús fans wild with ecstasy and amusement. El Granate meanwhile secured their passage to the Libertadores with this victory.
We Was Robbed:
Hinchas of Racing Club left El Monumental on Thursday wondering just how they lost 2-0 away to River Plate. La Academia played the better football throughout but couldn’t capitalise, creating few chances of note. Las Gallinas on the other hand took full advantage of the few chances they had, and scored twice in the first half through a disputed penalty courtesy of Diego Buonanotte and a free kick from Abelairas, to give new President Daniel Passarella the perfect start to his reign. Racing stepped up pressure in the second half but keeper Daniel Vega repelled everything that was thrown at him to confirm a River win.
Elsewhere at the Bottom:
One consolation for Racing was that other relegation rivals also toiled midweek. Chacarita played out a stale 0-0 draw against Vélez Sarsfield, and it appears that Los Funebreros will finish the season bottom of the pile, pending a relegation six-pointer against Racing on Sunday. Fellow struggling clubs Godoy Cruz & Atl. Tucumán also registered defeats, against Colón & Arsenal de Sarandi respectively. It appears that come May, the battle to stay in the top flight will be just as nerve-wracking as any championship tussle.
Full Results of Fecha 18:
|
Rosario Ctral. |
3 |
0 |
Estudiantes L.P. |
|
Huracán |
0 |
0 |
Boca Jrs. |
|
Colón |
1 |
0 |
Godoy Cruz (Mza.) |
|
Independiente |
1 |
1 |
Argentinos Jrs. |
|
San Lorenzo de A. |
0 |
1 |
Lanús |
|
G. y Esgrima L.P. |
0 |
2 |
N.O. Boys |
|
Banfield |
1 |
0 |
Tigre |
|
Chacarita Jrs. |
0 |
0 |
Vélez Sarsfield |
|
Arsenal F.C. |
2 |
0 |
At. Tucumán |
|
River Plate |
2 |
0 |
Racing Club |
Fixtures of Fecha 19:
|
Estudiantes L.P. |
0 |
1 |
Colón | Finalizado |
|
Argentinos Jrs. |
|
|
Huracán | 12.12.2009 | 19:10 |
|
Lanús |
|
|
Independiente | 12.12.2009 | 21:15 |
|
Boca Jrs. |
|
|
Banfield | 13.12.2009 | 17:00 |
|
N.O. Boys |
|
|
San Lorenzo de A. | 13.12.2009 | 17:00 |
|
Racing Club |
|
|
Chacarita Jrs. | 13.12.2009 | 19:30 |
|
Tigre |
|
|
River Plate | 13.12.2009 | 19:30 |
|
Vélez Sarsfield |
|
|
Rosario Ctral. | 13.12.2009 | 21:30 |
|
At. Tucumán |
|
|
G. y Esgrima L.P. | 14.12.2009 | 18:00 |
|
Godoy Cruz (Mza.) |
|
|
Arsenal F.C. | 14.12.2009 | 21:10 |
Hero of the Week:
Success doesn’t come often to the small corner of Lomas de Zamora that is Banfield city. So when it does, the people have to make the most of it. And so it proves with the loyal fans of Banfield F.C, who one day before tickets go on sale have already started to queue and camp outside the stadium in the hope of seeing their beloved triumph at Boca. After so many instances of the dark side of football fanaticism here, it is refreshing to see the positive side from a group of supporters.
Boludo of the Week:
Left-sided Racing midfielder Adrián Lucero is not the most popular player amongst La Guardia Imperial, and he proved why on Thursday with another poor display. Lucero wasted several gilt-edged chances, was generally wasteful in possession and capped it all by giving away the penalty for the crucial first goal. The title I have bestowed upon him is mild compared to some of the things yelled at him last night, I assure you.
So only one fixture remaining, and if you leave Argentina soon and still haven’t gone to a cancha this may be your last chance. Give it a try, it’s truly a once in a lifetime experience, dale! Y vamos la academia, tenemos que ganar!!
