ItâÂÂs Friday. ItâÂÂs February. ThereâÂÂs a Tory government in power and thereâÂÂs a royal wedding just around the corner. Perhaps it is difficult to engross oneself in the delicious nuances of a far away league which is hours from kicking off, but that shouldnâÂÂt stop you...
The Argentine league is about to get under way with its usual array of greying legends and Juventus/Milan/Manchester United/Real Madrid/BarcelonaâÂÂtargeted wunderkids filling up the ranks. ThereâÂÂs even an Italian World Cup winner knocking about this season.
The 2011 Clausura - The Nestor Kirchner Clausura, to be precise - begins today with renewed faith and optimism in the local game, despite what was â and donâÂÂt just quote this blog on this one, nobody else does â a rather poor Apertura.
Title Race
The Copa Libertadores is already under way, raising the stakes for those in continental competition â step forward Estudiantes, Vélez, Argentinos Juniors, Godoy Cruz and Independiente. The drain of a serious challenge for the South American Champions League title (more 30 hour round trips and midweek action) may well hinder these clubsâ chances of domestic league glory.
In come Boca, who have appointed the most serious coach around, Julio Falcioni, and have bolstered their playing staff too, having brought in the midfield trio of Walter Erviti (Banfield), Leandro Somoza (Vélez) and Diego Rivero (San Lorenzo). More importantly, Riquelme is back from injury. If he stays fit, the title will end up at the Bombonera. Well, that is what the man himself promised the board.
Julio Falcioni - Boca's happy-go-lucky new coach
Relegation battle
Barring miracles, and judging by the Apertura thereâÂÂs not one on the horizon, Olimpo and Quilmes will occupy the two direct relegation spots at the end of the campaign. Then it is up to Huracán and Gimnasia to claw their way out of the relegation playoff spots, needing to catch River or Tigre to do so.
If the presidentaâÂÂs team, Gimnasia, do escape, it will be one of the stories of the season. The EstablishmentâÂÂs hate figure, ÃÂngel Cappa, is directing affairs from the dugout, and Guillermo Barros Schelotto is playing for free and playing well into his retirement years to try and save the club from the drop.
Eye Candy
David RamÃÂrez is the best player in the country according to Riquelme, making that a good enough reference for this blog. Now, RamÃÂrez joined Vélez in the close season, and should coach Richard âÂÂThe Tigerâ Gareca so choose, he could form part of an attack that will make opposing defences tremble.
Imagine RamÃÂrez pulling the strings from midfield, centre forward Santiago Silva growling at the centre backs, and Juan Manuel MartÃÂnez and Maxi Moralez scurrying around causing havoc⦠Sàseñor.
With a Point to Prove
While Catania appear to be trying to buy every player who ever looked at Argentina on the map, let alone possesses an Argentine passport, they did let one go. Pablo Barrientos joined Estudiantes and after hardly setting Europe alight, so will be out to show just what the Sicilians missed out on.
The same goes for Franco Zuculini who returns to Argentina approximately 14 years too early. Spells at Hoffenheim and Genoa didnâÂÂt work out for the talented young midfielder, but a good season at Racing and no doubt heâÂÂll be back in Europe soon.
Elsewhere, Matias Defederico will also be looking to put his career back on track at Independiente after a disappointing time in Brazil with Corinthians, but the real phoenix could well be the Little Donkey, Ariel Ortega. Booted out of River Plate, All Boys welcomed him with open arms â weâÂÂll wait and see if he can deliver a final flourish to his career.
Poor Millionaires
The transfer market has been busy, but the millonarios have been the quietest of the lot. River Plate are broke. Actually, itâÂÂs far worse than that. They are on the brink â and not just with the banks. They brought in just one player on a free transfer, despite promises of several players from RiverâÂÂs more glorious recent past. They also jettisoned Ortega. All things considered, the Apertura was a good season, but failure to repeat those results could make for one of Argentine footballâÂÂs biggest club stories in decades, come the end of the season.
FIXTURES Friday Estudiantes v NewellâÂÂs, Independiente v Vélez Saturday Olimpo v Banfield, San Lorenzo v Gimnasia, Colón v Quilmes Sunday All Boys v Racing, Boca v Godoy Cruz, Tigre v River Monday Lanús v Arsenal, Huracán v Argentinos
