Argie Bargy

River goal flurry fails to sink Racing

2008-10-01T16:00:00Z

It was another clasico, another local derby. This time it was the 'millionaires' of River playing the league's paupers Racing (who recently held a prize draw among the players to win a PlayStation 2).

Racing, who barely stayed up last season and are currently lingering in 12th position, would have normally dreaded their trip to River's posh suburbs.

But Simeone's team, winners of the championship last season, are struggling themselves, and are even further down the table in 15th.

Because of the Argentine league's complicated structure of relegation based on a three-year average, Racing must finish very well this season - even a mid-table finish could see them have to face a demotion play-off.

So they wholeheartedly took the game to River, full of confidence after beating Estudiantes on their last outing.

Three times they were ahead with goals from their young pretenders, starting in the 12th minute with an own goal from Quiroga (who later scored at the right end) on an uncharacteristically soggy day in Buenos Aires.

Simeone had rested a couple of players for the Copa Sudamericana, one of them key man Abreu. The Paraguayan Santiago Salcedo, who River had high hopes for at the beginning of the season but pushed out following Abreu's return, gave Simeone something to bite on to with a powerful header and his first goal in a red and white jersey.

But Racing never withered and continued to play well, although they lacked the killer instinct to bury River once and for all. The game ended 3-3 with Racing going home a little disappointed not to have won.

At the top of the table San Lorenzo lead, but Tigre, championship winners in 2007, are proving they can compete with the big boys.

A 3-2 win against Boca, at the Bombonera, puts them in 2nd ahead of Boca with Vélez in 4th, their best start for years.

But again it's proving to be an interesting season for the small provincial teams. San Martin de Tucuman, Lanús and Colón aare all in the top seven. No Independiente, no River, no Racing and certainly no Estudiantes who are rock bottom.

After eight games, the season is wide open and it is the smaller clubs who are making all the headlines.

Disallowed goals, red cards, nine-man draws and tiddlers

2008-09-16T09:00:00Z

Red cards, handballs, good goals not given... ah yes, Argentine football at its best.

Argie Bargy has long said the fascination of Argentine football may not necessarily be its quality but its sheer entertainment value; rare is the game that hasn't contained at least one ejection, scuffle, or moment of controversy – and that's just in the crowd.

This is a passionate society, and football is its vent.

Take Boca 1-1 Independiente on Sunday. Not an inspiring scoreline, but the game contained all that is good, and bad, about Argentine football.

Independiente striker Leonel Nuñez's goal was disallowed, much to the consternation of the Red Devils president Julio Comparada: "Independiente fans are disgusted," he told the press. "The ball went in. I have no doubt it was a goal," with coach Claudio Borghi chiming in that "The ball crossed the line and bounced out."

To disgust Comparada even more, Rodrigo Palacio, on his first game back at Boca this season, scored a lovely goal straight after half-time... but did he use his hand to control it first? Comparada certain thought so. "Palacio carried the ball with his hand," he fumed.

Palacio: handy

Somehow, Comparada failed to mention Daniel Montenegro's foul on Gabriel Paletta – a pity, as again it was an entertaining moment.

Marvellously-named referee Pablo Lunati booked the forward for the tackle, even as he limped off for treatment. So when Montenegro (who had set up Dario Gondin's 49th-minute leveller) injudiciously came back onto the field without a permission slip, the ref had no choice but to show a second yellow, meaning the visitors faced the last 15 minutes a man down – a situation that got twice as bad when Guillermo Rodriguez was sent off for dissent with three minutes to go.

Comparada did admit that the result was just: "Independiente had a good game against the best team in Argentine football" – and the visitors will be happy to have escaped with a point against the league leaders. Resurgent San Lorenzo are level with Boca after beating Rosario Central 2-1.

While there is a certain predictability about first and second positions, Colon in third, followed by San Martin de Tucuman, Tigre, Velez, Lanus and Arsenal are all small teams taking advantages of the disarray at River and Racing, both skulking in the bottom half of the table.

With Boca already proving their squad depth by thriving without major players, it seems unlikely that they'll face much of a challenge for the title – but behind them, it could be yet another good season for the smaller teams.

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Maradona: "Messi's no team player'

2008-09-12T17:00:00Z

Diego's mouth has been uncharacteristically quiet (full of pizza?) for a quite a while now.

But it is with a heavy sigh that we return to our irregular God Watch feature for all things Maradona.

Yep, the number 10 has somehow managed to upset Lio Messi in his criticism of his performance in a 1-1 draw against Peru in Lima on Wednesday. Diego, get this, actually accused Messi of being an 'individualista'. Pot, kettle, black.

"Even I could have scored that one..."

Messi shrugged off the comments telling the Spanish press on his return: "Diego always has something to say about me. It doesn't mean a thing."

Another star studded Argentine team, and another disappointment. Coach Alfio 'Coco' Basile, already on a short leash after his team's poor performances, was full of self criticism after Wednesday's game. "I'm worried about the level of the national team," he solemly said. "The defense was better but attack not so."

For Argie Bargy, it must be time to ask some serious questions about how far this manager can take the team. I have long said that, all things being equal - which of course they never are - Argentina should have a wonderful team.

Instead, they lack the cohesion needed to fend off even the poorest teams. The pressure placed on Riquelme distributing from midfield, in particular, must be questioned.

No one doubts his leadership skills, but the slowing 30-year-old can't be relied on forever as the sole pivot in the midfield. And the opposing team now know 'shut down Roman, shut down the attack' as happened against Peru.

But with Tevez suspended after being sent off against Paraguay and Heinze in an almost-public spat with Basile – rumoured to have ruled him out of any further games – the team is in disarray. And that blame must lie at the coach's door.

Argentina flop again, this time against also-rans Peru

Looking forward to the domestic games this weekend, the biggest is undoubtedly 1st placed Boca versus Independiente in 8th. Known as a classico (as opposed to superclasico, which is against River), it can be guaranteed come Sunday afternoon the cafes and bars of the capital will be full of fans, and it will be one of the most watched games of the season.

Meanwhile River Plate, in 9th place, are complaining that in 29 games there hasn't been one penalty given in their favour. Coach Simeone complained: "It's best not to talk about it, but they just don't happen for us. They don't give them to River."

Maybe Arsenal will slip up this weekend and give Simeone another reason to stop complaining.

Tevez sent off again in poor Argentina qualifier

2008-09-08T21:00:00Z

If it happens again, you could almost say it is becoming a habit.

And while there is no way we could ever prefix the words 'Carlos Tevez' with 'Bad boy' (he is such a nice lad) another sending off in another World Cup qualifier doesn't bode well. Again, it was frustration that led to Tevez's hard tackle against Dario Veron.

Off the back of Argentina's U23 Olympic gold success, they should have gone into the game against Paraguay brimming with confidence, and they did for 11 minutes until Gabriel Heinze's own goal.

Tevez heads for another early bath

Argentina then reverted to the team that has failed to win any of their last four top flight games, and one that has annoyed the Argentine public as jeers yet again echoed around the Monumental Stadium as they humbly walked off the pitch with a point thanks to Sergio Aguero's 61st minute goal.

Argentine football fans are asking themselves 'que carajo paso?' or, more politely, what the hell is going on?

True, they were playing against the World Cup qualifying table toppers, Paraguay, who have had a superb run winning 14 points in seven games. Argentina have 12 points.

Aguero on target again for Albicelestes

It looks good on paper, but on the pitch the disjointed team of truly world-class players fail to gel in any meaningful wey. The pressure is now on coach 'Coco' Basile to engineer a good win against Peru in Lima on Wednesday.

The raw materials are there, but the cohesion has been lacking for too long, and the fickle finger of blame is moving against the previously impervious coach.

While Brazil's excellent 3-0 win against Chile abated the equally angry Brazilians and their poor team, it is Argentina that should be one of the best teams on the planet, taking advantage of Brazil's weakness.

But lets face, they ain't and it hurts.

"You'll win nothing with kids..."

2008-09-01T14:00:00Z

Boca Juniors, it could be argued, are moving into a new era.

No Riquelme, no Palacio and no Palermo. None of Boca's big three were available on Sunday to play Huracan, but the chicos ran away with a confident 3-0 win.

Palermo, who found it difficult not to score in every game, is out all season after surgery on his knee. Such was the perceived gravity of the 34-year-old's injury, Boca's former coach Carlos Bianchi wrote an open letter to El Loco (the Crazy One) offering his support.

"You are a natural winner," Bianchi wrote. "You have a lot of confidence, and a quality that few possess. We know you'll come back and enjoy being the greatest goal scorer of the last 15 years".

Palermo: Gone (for now) but not forgotten

I know you may be choking back the tears here, but frankly Boca seem to be doing OK without him. In fact, the youngsters such as Noir, Gaitan and Lucas Viatri have all expressed their confidence in winning the league.

The real test will come in their upcoming international games, but - so far - the kids are united, and the only team to have a 100% winning record so far.

Racing finally win

Good news too for Racing, before which it is almost compulsory to put 'troubled', who won away from home 1-0 at Argentinos Juniors, for the first time since Noah built his arc, and the first time this season.

It may be scant relief, however, for players who are still locked in a dispute over payment of their wages and uncertainty over the situation of the clubs ownership.

Little guys lead

Former surprise champions Lanus have had a good start to the season, recording seven points from four games.

The winners of the 2007 Apertura confounded the experts to win the championship for the first time. This season fans are hoping for a repeat performance after a strong start.

Lanus: Upset the odds to triumph in 2007

The little team from the poor southern suburbs lack the star quality of Boca, River and San Lorenzo, but their team ethic and 'we can beat anyone' attitude has carried them far.

They currently hold third position, while perennial underachievers Colon (previous best place: runners up in 1997) are in second place. San Martin from the northern Tucuman province are in fourth while Tigre, runners up in 2007, sit in fifth place. River linger in 11th, Independiente in 8th and San Lorenzo 6th.

Other results

Tigre 1-2 San Martin
Lanus 3–2 Gimnasia de Jujuy
Godoy Cruz 1–3 Velez Sarsfield
Colon 1–1 Newell's Old Boys
Central 0–0 Banfield
Estudiantes 2–0 Arsenal
River 0–0 San Lorenzo

Argentina strike gold

2008-08-25T12:00:00Z

Argentina's Olympic squad retained their gold medal in a close encounter with Nigeria.

Beating the African rivals 1-0, Argentina finished off a convincing campaign that saw them fend off fierce rivals Brazil in the quarter-finals. The Brazilians left Beijing with the bronze, and bitterly disappointed with that after what has been a nightmare year for their team.

Di Maria seals gold for Argentina

Argentina, however, seem to have broken their run of losing in the finals of major tournaments and proved that the largely under-23 team can confidently continue the country's class and skill.

As for the elder statesmen, Messi had a good tournament after all the issues of getting Barca to free him. Coach Sergio Batista called him the 'Maradona of the 21st century' and sees him as a future captain of his country.

Riquelme (pictured, below) led well from deep in midfield, but he will now be looking forward to returning to his homeland as Boca's top goalscorer, Palermo, is out for the rest of the season with a bad knee injury.

"What's that Ronnie? You only won bronze?"

But the focus of Argentina has been its successful Olympic run, not only with the men's football, but also a bronze for the Leonas female field hockey and a bronze for the men's basketball team.

Congratulations Argentina. After all the chaos on the streets and in the government, this winter has just got slightly warmer.

Derby day in BA

2008-08-23T08:00:00Z

In the August 2008 issue of FourFourTwo magazine, Argie Bargy reported on the intense rivalry between Independiente and Racing.

At the end of last season Racing were a goal away from being relegated, but survived to live on in the Primera. They are, after all, one of Argentina's most supported clubs, fourth after their arch enemy Independiente.

Both teams are based in the poverty stricken Avallaneda neighbourhood of the city which is split by support for either team.

As Independiente struggle to make an impact at the top of the league, Racing are still fighting for survival; staying up was merely the beginning of their campaign.

Independiente vs Racing: Never a dull affair

Beset by boardroom wrangles and severe financial straits (many players are owed money) Racing, under the leadership of the ever positive Juan Manuel Llop, need a relegation worry-free season, and a win over Independiente would do wonders for team morale.

One interesting footnote will be the reception of Hilario Navarro in Independiente's red jersey. Last season he appeared in Racing's blue and white and played a significant part in keeping them in the first division.

Racing have lost both of their first two games, while Independiente have four points from their two matches.

Meanwhile in Beijing, as the men's football team warm up for Saturday's final against Nigeria, the women's hockey team - known as the lionesses - have won a proud bronze for their efforts, despite an overall performance which lacked their usual bite.

Argentina one win away from more Olympic glory

2008-08-20T11:30:00Z

In Argentina there is only one thing that is sweeter than beating England... thrashing Brazil.

Long the poorer siblings to the Brazilian behemoth, Argentina finally got one over their bitter rivals with a glorious 3-0 win in the Beijing Olympics semi-final on Tuesday.

It was the first time they had beaten Brazil since June 2005, earning the mostly under-23 team a place in the final and the chance to defend the gold medal won in Athens four years ago against Nigeria on Saturday.

Aguero chests home the opener

During the first half the Brazilians focussed on Riquelme's midfield importance, scuppering any chance of the ball getting through to Messi and Aguero up front.

And there were several close shaves for Dunga's side whilst the Argentines created little, with only a stunning solo effort from eventual man-of-the-match Aguero just going wide.

But the second half proved to be their moment of glory. The appearance of Mascherano and Gogo relieved the pressure on Riquelme and opened up the game. Aguero put the Argentines ahead after the ball ricocheted in off his chest. And seven minutes later 'el Kun' – named for his similarity to a Japanese cartoon character – netted again from a poorly defended cross.

The third goal came from a Riquelme penalty after a dubious foul from Breno.

Riquelme scores third from the spot

More than a win over the hated enemy, it was a relief to see what the younger members of the squad could bring to what has been a poorly performing senior side in recent times.

But they will be mindful of recent defeats at the final hurdle, with the national 'seleccion' having lost three major finals - twice in the Copa America and in the Copa Confederaciones - all in the last three years.

Olympic run goes on while domestic season gets going

2008-08-13T16:00:00Z

Another game, another win for the Argentine Olympic squad and with it qualification to the next round.

The game could easily be picked apart and was, again, far from convincing, but it was an overall solid performance in amongst a series of pretty wobbly displays, from Brazil included.

Messi, who is quickly becoming 'God Mark II' in the bars of Buenos Aires, admitted they played "in a slow rhythm."

He may have been talking about his own pedestrian performance, or the team who left it until 15 minutes before the end to look cohesive, when Riquelme and Messi combined to put through Ezequiel Lavezzi to score the only game of the match.

It was, however, a blinder with an amazing build up and perfect finish, showing how Argentina loves to play their football: with exuberant style.

Lavezzi side-foots home vs Australia

The team now play Serbia in their last league game, but they are already qualified. Riquelme, Messi, Mascherano and Aguero (on a yellow card) will all be rested.

But the second team should not fret, because over in Argentina the domestic season has finally got underway with Boca grabbing the headlines with a stunning 4-0 victory over Gimnasia de Jujuy.

Their team included several players who were previously in the reserve squad, but who had beaten the first team in training sessions twice that week.

Palacio, who remained with Boca despite being expected to head off along with the pre-season exodus, is injured but should return for Wednesday's ReCopa match.

Boca's Gracian and Ibarra celebrate vs Gimnasia

Other results:

San Martin 2–0 Huracan

Gimnasia 0–1 Newells Old Boys

Arsenal 3–0 Argentinos

Central 3–2 Estudiantes

Banfield 1–2 Godoy Cruz

Velez 0–0 Independiente

Colon 1–1 River

Racing 0–2 Lanus

San Lorenzo 0-1 Tigre

Bittersweet start for Argentinian Olympic teams

2008-08-10T22:07:00Z

Stood amongst the spectacular fireworks of the Olympic opening ceremony was one Lionel Messi.

After weeks of wrangling that involved FIFA, the highest levels of the clubs and a sports arbitration board, Barcelona finally let Messi play.

In their opening game, before the ceremony, Argentina beat the Ivory Coast 2-1. Defending their gold medal, Argentina showed more cohesion than in many of their recent games, thanks largely to Riquelme's intelligent leadership.

Messi bags opener vs Ivory Coast

However, the women's team fared worse, losing to Canada in the first sporting event of the Games.

But the Argentine's have plenty to look forward to: swimmer Georgina Bardach won the bronze four years ago, Miguel Albarrcin is looking of his first Olympic medal in judo and long-distant cyclists Matías Medici, Alejandro Borrajo and Juan José Haedo will be charging 245 km around the streets of Beijing hoping for a podium place.

The best bet's for Argentina gold medals, apart from the men's football squad, are with the basketball team led by, star of NBA's San Antonio Spurs, Emanuel Ginobili, who carried the flag into the arena.

But no one, particularly Argie Bargy, can forget Las Leonas' female field hockey team.

There are 139 Argentines at the Games hoping to beat the two gold medals they won in Athens.

Messi mess continues to wrangle on

2008-08-07T09:00:00Z

With Argentina making their final preparations for the opening game against the Ivory Coast in the Olympics, the wrangle of Messi shows no sign of abating.

Barcelona at first refused to allow the forward to play as one of the few over 23 players allowed in the Olympic squad, but on FIFA's advice let the player travel to China.

Messi trains ahead of Olympic opener vs Ivory Coast

The 'flea' is currently in Beijing and training with the squad but the sports tribunal at the centre of the fight have now said Barcelona has 'no obligation to free the player.'

The reason is that the Olympics doesn't figure in FIFA's calendar and therefore has no right to demand the player be freed. AFA president Julio Grondona told the press "Messi will stay and play in Beijing" and the national Olympic coach added "tomorrow he will be playing against the Ivory Coast."

With less than 24 hours until their opening game it looks unlikely that Messi will be returning, and Argie Bargy, for one, thinks that he should be there.

Relief for Argentina as Messi boards for Beijing

2008-08-01T10:48:00Z

Did you feel that slight breeze at around 2pm yesterday?

That was the collective sigh of relief from 35 million Argentinians as Lionel Messi was freed by Barcelona for the national Olympic squad. Slight exaggeration? Well yes, but there can't be a man, woman or dog in the country that isn't pleased to see Argentina's new prodigal son in the team.

Argentina in recent World Cup qualifiers and friendlies have been lacklustre, even with Messi. But the Barça player adds a touch of flair, bordering on the genius. His sidekick Aguero is undoubtedly a great player, but has failed to skip past defences in the way Messi can.

Bye bye Barca: Messi departs for Olympics

Fortunately, their rivals, and fellow favourites in the gold medal betting stakes, Brazil have been even worse. Utter failures in World Cup qualifying (they lost against Venezuela for Ronaldo's sake), Brazil are a merely a group of 11 good players without any coherence.

With only eight days until the opening ceremony - which given the heritage of vast displays in China might actually be worth watching for the first hour - coach Checho Batista's team still remain joint favourites.

It all kicks off next Thursday as they take on the Ivory Coast.

Stormy start for Olympic favourites

2008-07-30T11:30:00Z

While the weather may have disrupted the first Argentinian friendly warm up in Tokyo yesterday, the storm continues over Lionel 'the Flea' Messi.

The ongoing dispute between Barcelona and the AFA has got so out of hand that FIFA have been brought in to mediate.

The nation hopes that Messi, still training in Spain, will be able to help Argentina keep the Olympic gold. The win, although paling against a World Cup, is still taken seriously by an Argentinian populace looking for respite from the problems that have dogged their 'winter of discontent', that has seen daily protests, food shortages and rampant inflation. Messi is revered in the country (and by Argie Bargy).

The Argentinians failed to shine in their friendly against Japan despite a skillful goal by Angel di Maria.

Angel di Maria celebrates in the rain against Japan

Both Argentina and Japan hit the post in what was a worryingly close game. A fortunate storm led to the game being suspended seven minutes before the final whistle. Overall it was a reasonable game for the blue and whites, but without the genius of Messi, it seems they might have to work harder to retain their favourite status.

Argentina's group is far from easy with Serbia, Australia and the Ivory Coast, each of whom can be tricky opponents.

Do Argentine players have illegal passports?

2008-07-17T11:42:00Z

When this blogger lived in Argentina in 2001, the rush for European passports was immense.

As the country teetered on the brink of collapse – which came, sure enough – hundreds of thousands of residents looked up their past in an attempt to find a way to attain European passports. Most Argentines (around 60 per cent) are from Italian descent and about 30 per cent are of Spanish origin.

These days the living isn't exactly easy, but it is better. But as protests continually bring the city to a halt the exudos has sped up again.

And it seems footballers are no different.

Dozens of Argentine players are among those being investigated for travelling to Italy on illegal passports, according to a BBC report. The report suggests the reason for footballers buying illegal passports is so that Italian clubs can avoid the limit of non-European players on their team. This does, of course, implicate the clubs. However, they can earn much more money in Europe.

Juan Veron: Investigated for dodgy passport dealings in 2002

Argentinian judge Norberto Oyarbide started the investigation after staff in the Italian Embassy didn't recognise the signature on the passports.

Apparently an illegal passport can be bought in a few days for US$30,000, while the process of getting a real one can last for months. Also the ever-tightening rules mean that only those with close ancestors born in Italy are eligible.

It is also being reported that many of the passports claim the players' ancestors were all born in Fagnano Castello. Current population? 4,194.

Call me a cynic, but...

Mass protests and chaos hit crazy Argentina

2008-07-16T17:00:00Z

Well this blog might not have too much to do with football, but what is happening in Argentina today is quite unlike anything I have ever seen.

My office is located on a wide Parisian avenue that connects the Congress building and, 15 blocks away, the Casa Rosada presidential palace. Outside there are an estimated 60,000 people beating drums, screaming chants and letting off crackers and bombs. I literally cannot hear myself type.

Now understanding Argentinian politics is somewhat akin to comprehending nuclear physics. So why all the noise and protests? Well get this... the thousands of people outside are showing their support for the government. Confused? You will be. 50 blocks north, near my house, there are another 50,000 people, protesting against the government.

Protesters take to the streets in Buenos Aires

It is all over a debate that has utterly polarised Argentinian society. The root of the problem is the dear old Presidenta Christina Kirschner and her decision to whack a huge tax on soya. Less than five years ago, soya was seen as the saviour of the Argentinian economy. It is easy to grow, and much more profitable than beef, the second largest export.

Apparently, to redirect the exported crop to an Argentinian market food in a country where children still die from starvation, the export tax is high. The 'countryside', who even in the UK get off their tractors for a good protest, went crazy. They went on strike. And to understand the repercussion of such a strike one just has to look at inflation (unofficially thought to be around 35% - officially around 9%) of food prices. And you thought Gordon Brown had problems. Perhaps more importantly, Argentina couldn't get its beef.

So on the day of the final senate vote, half the country came out in support and the other half against. But support Argentinian-style means NOISE.

And since I started this blog, it has got even louder, the entire city has been cut off, public transport has come to a standstill, and many people are leaving work. A few days ago a much smaller protest (or was it in support) ended in a riot. Here we hope that the tens of thousands of angry people separated by utterly different ideologies and a mere 50 blocks don't meet.

Farmers gather en masse in Rosario

But on the plus side, everyone out there is thinking about politics, and what does it take for this amount of people to stand up in the UK?

Bloody fox hunting.

Chaos reigns on the streets of Buenos Aires, and will do long into the evening. But by tomorrow a decision by the senate will be made to either approve or disapprove the tax. And no matter which way it goes, it will only exacerbate the problem.

How do I bring this back to football? Well, all those drums and trumpets are being played by hired football fans and barra bravas, some being brought in from more than 2000 miles away especially to bang their drum.