Arsenal prepare for super, super weekend
Friday 22 October 2010 16:21
For any sports
broadcaster partial to the odd bit of hyperbole here and there, two derbys on
the same weekend usally means a barrage of swooshes, fancy graphics and
sizzling promos revolving around the use of 'super'. This weekend in Argentina is a realisation of the wildest dreams of jumped-up, bronzed news presenters, salivating
football fans and newsagents. Three (3) clásicos, a top of the table clash, potential league leaders versus one of the best sides in the country - it
promises to be a super, super weekend…
Arsenal - Godoy Cruz
‘Tell people something they
know already and they will thank you for it,’ goes the phrase, ‘tell them
something new and they will hate you for it.’ As already discussed in these
pages this week, Arsenal aren’t getting much attention amongst the media or
fans despite the fact that if they beat Godoy Cruz they will go joint top of
the table. That’s TOP. And depending on events in Liniers right after, The *rse
could stay there. Despite their form, Gustavo ‘Lettuce’ Alfaro still hasn’t
found his ideal starting XI, while Omar Asad will continue to look to David
Ramírez for inspiration for the Men from Mendoza. If Riquelme says Ramírez is
the best player in Argentina right now, he must be.
Vélez – Estudiantes
Estudiantes were the first
Non Big Five to win the league in Argentina. Vélez sometimes feel like the
fifth Beatle in trying to join the elite and form a 'Big Six'. But they don’t succeed. But while
these two may not fall into the category of a grande, they are big. Over the past few years both Vélez
and Estudiantes have been the most consistent sides in the country. With
Estudiantes commanding a three-point lead over Vélez, a win for the pincha could put them out of reach, especially if Arsenal
don’t defeat Godoy Cruz. But although Juan Sebastián Verón returns, they will
have to go for the win without a recognised striker, while also stopping Vélez
duo Juan Manuel Martínez and Santaigo Silva, the league’s top two goal scorers
this term, in the process. In the word of @optajoe: clash.
River – Racing
Ángel Cappa sent himself
off last weekend when River Plate had their winning goal disallowed right at
the death against Godoy Cruz. Unfortunately, his colourful abuse was overheard
by the officials, meaning that once again he had to explain himself to AFA this
week. Cappa now has a suspended suspended-touchline ban. This is one headache
he has to deal with. Another is that he still can’t find his preferred XI, and
to make things worse, Diego Buonanotte is kicking up a fuss about not playing,
despite the forward performing considerably below his ability this year. It’s
just as well Racing hardly even win at River.
Huracán – San Lorenzo
Not so long ago this derby
was considered one of the most dangerous in Argentina, and the feds are still
taking no risks with this one. A series of robberies in which flags were the
booty have meant that the Globo
and Cuervo fans are the
proverbial haybarn waiting for any single spark to kick things off. Flaunting
the stolen flags during the clásico used to be the perfect ignition the two
sets of fans needed to go at it, so the law has banned any flags being brought
into the ground for this game. There are unconfirmed reports that talking will
also be banned at football games, in the coming weeks…
Independiente – Boca
Independiente are on thin
ice. They beat Uruguayan outfit Defensor in the Sudamericana on Wednesday to
progress in the tournament, but while the trophy offers their one and only
chance of salvaging their season, the club is in danger of sanctions from
CONMEBOL for the Defensor keeper being hit by a rock during the game. All eyes
will be on the Libertadores Stadium to see how the fans behave, so a
high-pressure clásico against Boca his far from ideal. Boca, meanwhile, are
patiently waiting. Waiting, waiting, waiting. It will happen, but it seems that
it won’t be this weekend. Mr. Juan Román Riquelme will return. Soon.
FIXTURES: Arsenal v Godoy Cruz, Vélez v Estudiantes, Argentinos v All Boys, River v Racing, Quilmes v Banfield, Lanús v Colón, Huracán v San Lorenzo, Independiente v Boca, Tigre v Olimpo, Newell’s v Gimnasia
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About Joel Richards
After four years in Spain, Joel Richards decided to swap the tapas of Madrid for the steaks of Buenos Aires. A freelance sports writer and producer, he follows the fortunes of emerging wunderkids, former
Albiceleste stars and Diego Maradona, while trying to avoid conversations involving the Mexico 86 quarter-finals or a group of small islands in the South Atlantic.