Previews: Boca must find hunger in lean times
Reuters - Friday 27 August 2010, 02:05
BUENOS AIRES - Boca Juniors, with one
point from three games, need a victory against title favourites
Velez Sarsfield on Sunday to make sure they do not go
further adrift and coach Claudio Borghi does not walk out.
Borghi has whisked his team away from the spotlight and into
a training camp situated amid plush weekend homes and golf
courses but he needs to build up a hunger in the players akin to
that of the poor masses from where Boca draw their support.
Boca have started this season worse than they ended the last
which prompted them to sign Borghi after he steered Argentinos
Juniors to the Clausura title in May. However, the laid-back
coach has been shocked by the size of the media glare in defeat.
"At times the pressure (at Boca) weighs two tonnes. We all
feel that as it's the most popular club in the country," Borghi
said after his side's limp performance in a 2-0 defeat by
promoted All Boys last weekend.
"To have one point from nine is weak, very weak.
"The result of the match against Velez will be decisive for
me," he added, hinting he would have to quit if Boca lost.
RIVER REVEL
Boca, who drew 4-4 at Velez in the team's last meeting in
March, need to feed on the support of their fans in La Doce (the
12th man) at their tight Bombonera (chocolate box) ground.
It will not be an easy ride with Velez joint top of the
standings with River Plate on a maximum nine points in the
Apertura championship, the first of two in the season.
With veteran striker Martin Palermo's powder dry since he
scored for Argentina against Greece at the World Cup in June,
Borghi is hoping Lucas Viatri passes a late fitness test and can
return from injury.
Miracle-man Palermo will not be dropped as this do-or-die
match is the kind he thrives on but Viatri is the only scorer
for Boca this season with two goals in the two games before
pulling a hamstring in the 2-1 home defeat by Racing Club.
Fans of arch-rivals River will be enjoying Boca's troubles
as they revel in a fine start they hope to extend when they
visit Argentinos, a much changed side since they won the
title three months ago.
Teenage striker Rogelio Funes Mori is the talk of the town
after scoring three goals in as many matches and veteran forward
Ariel Ortega, who has rekindled some of his best form under
coach Angel Cappa, returns from suspension.
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