2 Points Ahead, 2 Games Left: Boca 2 - 1 Racing
By: Dave Martinez |
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Boca is firmly in control of first place, while River wallows in last, dancing with relegation. Life is good.
With a pressure packed environment, Boca took their young and make shift squad one step closer to gold. Lead by midfield mastermind Riquelme (and his two goals), Boca took the game to a resilient Racing squad. Figueroa drew the penalty in the box (though Racing fans would probably contest that award). Riquelme fired home the PK, and in the 40th, Boca took the 1-0 lead. Not to be denied, Racing tied up the game with a Michael Jordanesque jumping routine by Frank Sosa over the Xeneize defense with a header into the back of the net.
Second half, around the 60th minute, Riquelme, incessed by the cat calling of a certain supporter, notched home a beautiful goal and ran to the area said fan was in, and celebrated joyfully at his achievement. Classic. From there on out, it was Boca playing some solid defense and counter attack football to secure the victory.
Two games left. Two points seperating the top two. Can Boca seal the deal next week?
MAN OF THE MATCH: Riquelme and his two goals!
TURNING POINT OF THE MATCH: Riquelme’s second goal!
WHAT THE !*$!(* MOMENT OF THE MATCH: River lost to Tigres. What happened?!SPECIAL ED PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Migliore - should have looked less guilty on that PK pal . . .
Category: Boca Team News
HAND OF GOD: Messi v. Maradona
By: Dave Martinez | 2 Comments
Saw this video earlier today and felt like sharing it with you.
Check out two Bostero legends highlighting their prowess in conceiling illegal goals . . .
My Parents Take: Boca 1 - San Lorenzo 0
By: Dave Martinez | 3 Comments
Hey Guys,
Well, I have been sick as a dog lately, so I missed this classic match. With that said, I will just quote my father (a HUGE Boca fan) and my mother (ditto) and let them do the talking:
DAD
- Finally, Boca played like a team. All season, winning or not, they have been getting the ball lost at their feet. This game was the most fluid, team organized game I have seen all season.
- The defense was remarkable, which is a change from the shakey backline we have seen all season.
- Riquelme looked comfortable in his roll for this one. He was playing WITH his teammates more.
MOM
- I love Riquelme!
- Do you want some puchero?
- How about some Ades de Manzana?
- Ischia looks like a pigeon.
I tend to believe they are right on point. Give me your opinion on the game.
R.I.P.: Pedro Pompilio
By: Dave Martinez | 2 Comments
Boca President Pedro Pompilio, died yesterday from a heart attack. He was only 55 years old.
Pompilio has been President since last November, but has been a part of the clubs resurgence from the mid-tables, playing a vital role as the Vice President under Macri for years.
Pompilio largest contributions to Boca as their President include the acquiring of the enigmatic playmaker, Juan Roman Riquelme, the addition of Coach Ischia and he was also involved in a project to expand upon the Bombanera’s capacity levels.
Away from Boca, Pompilio was an important piece of the Argentine puzzle since the early 80’s. The respect and adoration he has earned throughout the years is highlighted by his death; Boca will be dedicating two days of mourning in his name (suspending todays practice in the process), every game this weekend will commence with a minute of silence in his honor and AFA has taken it a step further, suspending administrative and institutional duties until later in the afternoon today.
The Offside sends its thoughts and prayers to the Pompilio family.
Maradona?! Really?!?
By: Dave Martinez | 7 Comments
For the first time since a 1994 coke binge against Greece, a Boca fan is about to speak badly about the Argentine God, Diego Armando Maradona:
AFA - WHAT ARE YOU THINKING?!?!
Basile and his tying is winning attitude was bad enough. Clinging to a 4th spot in the World Cup qualifiers made it worse. But this? Hiring Maradona is the dumbest move since the XFL. And let me illustrate why:
1 - He has almost no coaching experience:
Besides AMAZING runs with Racing and Corrientes of the Argie divisions (oh you didn’t know? well, that isn’t your fault - he barely hung on), Maradona hasn’t been able to coach his way out of a brown paper bag. How in God’s green earth has AFA, in its infinite wisdom, decided that Maradona, with a ditch of a Qualifier record, will be able to dig out Argentina? Impossible. This will be Argentinas version of Hugo Sanchez - mark my words.
2 - You Can’t Control This Crackhead
I am sorry. Some people, even in our Offside and World Cup community blogs, seem to feel that Grondona will have the real reigns of the team and Maradona will play puppet.
Uh uh.
No way.
Maradona is more than a person in Argentina. He injects himself in politics and people follow. He throws himself at the feat of Hugo Chavez and Fidel Castro, and suddenly, all Argie youth are mindless socialist animals. When our Boca was looking for a coach last season, it was Maradona who poo pooed the decision to hire Ischia.
Don’t think for one second that AFA boss Grondona will be the puppet master. The minute he tries to play the part, a long white line will be disappearing into Diego’s nose, followed by a foot step out the door.
3 - YOU DON’T GIVE A CRACK HEAD CONTROL OF ANYTHING
Let me use a baseball analogy. The New York Mets hired Ricky Henderson, one of baseballs most gifted yet controversial players, as their third base coach. Third Base. His “experience” was passed onto the younger players, who suddenly developed Major League Attitudes and began underachieving from the minute he stepped foot on the field. That is what his influence has.
What kind of influence will Maradona have? Surely, much like I did growing up, the youngsters on the squad will worship the ground he walks on, emulate his every move. But will his influence be used to get the players to respect his word? Or will he have the Ricky Henderson effect, where suddenly Messi will, for the first time ever, lightly jog in the attacking third instead of running balls out?
4 - You COULD HAVE HAD Carlos Bianchi.
Period. End of discussion.
5 - The team itself is in disarray
When Carlos Tevez finds it difficult to play alongside greats like Riquelme, Messi and Aguero, you know there is a problem. The Argie squad is in a fragile state; there are alot of stars on the team, and everyone has to touch the ball. This was a job that was too big for Basile to handle. But Maradona will show these massive ego’s how to coexist and be cohesive? Sure, Maradona shared the spotlight a little bit with people like Batistuta and Cannigia, but these are different times, and those were different circumstances.
The only hope for Maradona is the one thing that ties them all; their respect for the Hand of God. If Maradona can put that fear and respect into the youngins, he may be able to translate it to success. But that takes a lot of work and commitment. The question is whether Maradona has either. He has put his life on the line for lesser things in the past. Let’s see if El Diez has finally matured.
As you can tell, I love this hiring. Comment away.
Category: Boca Team NewsGallinas Ponen Un GRAN Huevo: Boca 1 - River 0
By: Dave Martinez | 1 Comment
Boca has broken the hex, securing their first win in the past 4 attempts in the Hen House that is River Plate’s Monumental. With a man down (And who can fault Ibarra? The guy doesn’t stop playing!), Boca managed to tighten up the defensive end, and neautralize the River attack. Buonanotte was largely a non-factor as Xeneize central defenders shut down El Enano throughout the game.
And one must put this into perspective; both teams a competing for their seasons already. River found themselves in 20th place before the start of this game, and Boca in 6th. This important win will create even more distance between the Bosteros and the former Champion Chickens. Also note that Caranta was not starting in goal, as the bad blood between himself, Coach Basile and President Pompilio continues to simmer, Palacio is still out with an injury, Palermo is out all season, and the newest signing from Genoa, and new comer Figueroa has just been added to the squad.
Before the season started, I catagorically stated that, without El Burrito to lead them, River is dead in the water. Today was an example of that.
MAN OF THE MATCH
It is definitely difficult to name one person. So in the absence of a decision, I will have to give it, once again, to the orchestrator of the midfield, Juan Roman Riquelme, who lined up the last goal in classic style.
TURNING POINT OF THE MATCH
Viatri put in a Palermoesque header, which was nothing but net. Riquelme lined up the direct kick from an odd angle, and Viatri redirected it with such class and ease. This kid is growing on me . . .
THE SUCKIEST PLAYER OF THE GAME
After being denied countless times, Buonanotte seemed to lose his cool some, trying to shoulder the load for the entire River squad. The minute he did that, his teammates were immediately shunned from the attack, and they became one dimensional. Again, they need Burrito.
BOCA / RIVER: MANANA, SERAN HIJOS OTRA VEZ
By: Dave Martinez | Add Comments
BOCA y RIVER
FOX SOCCER CHANNEL
4:30pm Eastern
Time to go visit our chicken little sons this weekend . . .
PREDICTION:
Boca 3 - River 1
The Hiatus (or The Bloggers Lazy Post)
By: Dave Martinez | Add Comments
Hey all,
Sorry I havent been around - lots going on. But I will have a post rounding up ALOT of things we have missed here. Stay tuned.
In the meanwhile, check out this video to hold you over . . . .
Category: Boca Team NewsTodo Boca: Caicedo, World Rankings, Viatri, Palermo, More
By: Dave Martinez | 3 Comments
On the New York Red Bulls Offside, I do a round up of news that may have slipped through the cracks. There, its called “All The Bull.” Here? “Todo Boca.”
So as we await this coming Sundays game against Independiente (always a barn burner there folks), here is what is happening in the world of Boca:
+ Martin Palermo’s injury has opened up a trade deadline extension exemption for the team (say that five times fast) - meaning Boca is able to continue shopping the world for a suitable forward. The latest news comes from Manchester City. Equadorian striker Felipe Caicedo was offered to the X’s on loan - and Boca rejected the deal. Why? Well, there is a youth surge in town, and with Noir and Viatri chomping at the bit for more pitch time, it would only spell greater fortunes and transfer dollars in the future. Basically, there is no rush - Boca leads the Apertura table with a game in hand, and have had no issues scoring. Defense, on the other hand . . . .
+ By the way, in the present club world rankings, judged by the IFFHS, Boca comes in at a solid 4th, just behind Man U, Barcelona and Chelsea. River Plate? They are laying eggs at the 21st spot. Siempre nuestros hijos . . .
+ AC Milan VP Galiani has heaped praise onto Boca for equaling his clubs record of 18 international tournament victories. 18! Anyway, just felt like throwing this one out there - you can never have enough news about Boca’s dominance and respect worldwide!
+ Lucas Viatri is taking advantage of the loss of Palermo and his recent good form to begin contract negociations with the Xeneizes. A Boca Rep has stated that they have offered a solid 4,000 pesos monthly for his services. Dont freak out - Viatri has stated all intentions and desires to sign with Boca and has no current interest in leaving the legendary club for greener pastures overseas. I think he would be a steal at 4,000 a month, dont you?
+ And finally, I have to report on Carlitos Tevez, who for a second time this WCQ, has been issued a critical red card. An interesting article out of Peru gets indepth with the ex Boca striker, where he admits his guilt and repentance for his actions and expounds on the fact that playing along side such greats as Messi, Riquelme, and Aguero “proves difficult” because of the clash in playing styles. Read in spanish? Then read this!
So there is your round up! Comments? Questions? Hit me up . . .
Category: Boca Team News, Injuries, MY INFO - daveredbulls@hotmail.com, Team News, Todo Boca, misc, resultsWe Are The Youth Gone WILD: Boca 3 - Huracan 0
By: Dave Martinez | 3 Comments
NOTE: I FINALLY SAW THE GAME. HAPPY LABOR DAY!
Playing their youngins’, with a game in hand, Boca dominates Huracan en route to a 3 nil victory that launches the Bosteros right where they belong - first place. And talk about omens - Huracan should have called it a day when they realized the game would be played en El Estadio Diego Armando Maradona. Seriously.
A depleted Boca side relied heavily on its youth players, as Palacio, Riquelme and and Palermo were all out for this one. 6th minute, Lucas Viatri, Palermo’s heir apparant, found a bouncing pass land perfectly at his feet, and he flicked a toe curler towards the net, that bounced into the right area. 1 - 0 Boca.
Noir threatened in the 27th with an excellent header that nearly caught the crossbar. Noir took part in another near miss, as he left a pass in the middle of Huracans box that was headed in Viatri and Datolo’s direction. Viatri elected to play the ball from a tougher angle instead of dropping the pass to the positioned Datolo. That error cost the team a goal, as a rushed shot was sent far left.
Boca’s unexpected press continued for the rest of the 1st half. Huracan pressured Boca heavily to begin the second half, and were it not for Caranta standing on his head for the first 20 minutes of the 2nd, this game would have been of the tied variety. Chance after chance either missed or was turned away by the alert keeper. It took till nearly the 60th minute for Boca to manage a counter attack successfully!
But then came Gaitan, in for a largely quiet Gracian this game. And his impact was felt minutes in as he struck home a wonderfully serviced cross to the back of the net for the two goal advantage. As if that wasn’t enough, the spark plug found himself sprung on a breakaway, only to beat the Huracan keeper short side for the third, nail in the coffin goal.
Boca’s relatively slow defenders were able to make lots of ground by keeping their position sound, and of course, relying heavily on Caranta to hold them up. And the sudden unexpected offensive explosion certainly didnt hurt their efforts either.
Boca is #1, River sigue siendo un equipo sin identidad (I’ve always said it - without Ortega, River is DONE) and Los Xeneixes continue to dominate. Life is good!
JUGADOR DEL PARTIDO
Vamos pues - it has to be the 20 year old Gaitan and his two sealer goals! His infusion to the starting roster spelled immediate hope in a half that was going severly south.
“QUE ESTABAS PENSANDO!” MOMENTO DEL PARTIDO
I am having a problem finding one defining moment in the game, but a period of time did enter into my mind. The 45th minute to the 58th minute, Boca looked like a bunch of whipped school boys. Huracan came out so aggresively, I really was wondering “what is Boca thinking coming out so slow in a game that their youth players are finding a way to seal?” Had it not been for some vital 2nd half changes, this game would have been a very disappointing draw. Kudos to Ischia for taking a gamble or two that paid off.
“QUE BOLUDO!” JUGADOR DEL PARTIDO
Since there really wasn’t anyone in a BOCA jersey who looked bad (overall) in this encounter, I think we will just give this weeks “Que Boludo” title to River for letting Ortega go. As a matter of fact, I think they win the “Que Boludo” Award for the entire Apertura. Way to go Gallinas!
img credit: daylife.com
img credit 2: hispavista.com
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