Argentina Clausura Sunday Preview - Matchday 3
It is yet early to know what will happen within the following weeks of this tournament, but at least the favorites are living up to their expectations. Will they be able to take the top off Godoy Cruz hands?
Sunday 7th February 2010
Chacarita Juniors vs Banfield - 3:00 PM EST
Chacarita's permanence on the highest category of Argentinean Football is the main concern of Fernando Gamboa and his players, and obtaining a victory in the first two matches was mandatory if they meant to succeed on their efforts. Against River they had the game in their hands, but let it got away during the second half. At least they might have learnt their lesson, and facing now Banfield they won't have an opportunity unless they are able to cover Centurion's absence (due to a foot injury during last week match) without conceding much spaces to their rivals' strikers.
The echoes of last year's tournament are still sounding loud at the south, and the Taladro seems to have found the way to face this tournament, even though the results have not yet been completely on their side. The same eleven players that were on the fields the last two matches will travel to Chacarita, eager to climb to the top if only for a few hours. But will Julio Cesar Falcioni be able to face both the league and the Libertadores without collapsing on its attempts? Next week they'll play against their eternal rivals, Lanus, and they must reach that fight with the impulse of a victory beneath their arms.
Watch Chacarita Juniors vs Banfield Live.
Estudiantes vs San Lorenzo - 3:00 PM EST
After a successful 2009, Estudiantes has began this year knowing they are chosen to represent the highest of Argentinean football, and having recovered one of the key players for last year's Copa Libertadores with the recent joining of the Gata Fernandez, the Pincha hast become even stronger, and it'll be strange not to see Alejandro Sabella's boys fighting at the top. Last week loss at the derby left their fans devastated, and a second consecutive loss might prove lethal. Despite making their debut at the Libertadores, Estudiantes will receive San Lorenzo with its top players on the field, with the exception of Enzo Perez, as he received his fifth yellow card last week.
Cholo Simeone tried to enhance its team offensive last week with three strikers, but the tactic backfired, and Godoy Cruz took advantage of the accident, burying the Cuervos in the middle of the table. Without Pablo Pintos and Gaston Aguirre (The first for accumulating five yellow cards, the latter due to a problem on his knee) the coach will have to rely on team's youngest players to defend their goal, and so they'll be called to become man on their trip to La Plata. Watch Estudiantes vs San Lorenzo Live
River Plate vs Rosario Central - 5:10 PM EST
With last week triumph, the Millonarios were able to recover in time not to be left too far behind after only two matches. Both Rodrigo Rojas and Paulo Ferrari were the key for Leo Astrada to unlock the hidden Gallina forces, and now he'll have to control the power he has unleashed and direct it to the top. As last years' performance of the Banda has left much to think about, even relegation might become something to fear if they are unable to obtain the victories they are looking for.
Opposite to what happened in the last tournament, the Academia has yet been unable to obtain any point in this tournament. They have difficult matches on the following weeks, and so they need to obtain at least a point in the Monumental, unless they want to get used to living in the basement. Having scored no goals yet in the tournament, team's coach Cuffaro Russo will have to find a way to renew and feed his offensive, or team's strikers might starve to death.
Racing Club vs Arsenal De Sarandi - 7:15 PM EST
Arsenal is trapped in an eternal return, as the same bad luck they experienced at the beginning of the Apertura seems to be recurring this year. The Viaducto is still far from the relegation danger, but facing a whole tournament hopeless will be more than difficult, so they need to find a new path out from the bottom, and they need to find it soon.Team's midfielder Facundo Perez Castro recognized Arse's fans are ready to forget the disastrous beginning and so if they manage to obtain its first points against the Acade,a new tournament might begin for Arsenal.
The weight of being a favorite appears to be much of a burden for the Racinguistas, but with the recent joining of Roberto Ayala (who has just left Zaragoza's ranks) they might find the stability the Academia is in much need of. Claudio Vivas declared he was looking for more ball control for this match, so we are likely to see Adrian Lucero on the fields, and so this aggressive team will only be in need of conducting the ball to any of the three strikers to put Viaducto's goal in danger. Watch Racing vs Arsenal de Sarandi Live
Monday 8th February 2010
Atletico Tucuman vs CA Huracan - 5:00 PM EST
Huracan is far from the team they were 1 year ago under the wing of Miguel Angel Cappa. In spite of knowing they lost their shot for a title at their best moment, the team is slightly recovering its identity, and the reinforcements that have joined the team have proven their versatility. Now the spell that stopped the Globo from winning the last eight matches has been broken, and so they are their only obstacle on their way to the top.It won't be long till the situation becomes critical for the Decano, as they have much to fight if they don't want to lose the category. Independiente exposed every weakness in Chico Sosa's team, but maybe Luis Rodriguez's return might mitigate the effects of such strikes. Next week they'll face Boca Juniors, and if they have to travel to La Bombonera with three defeats on their backs, they are likely to be slaughtered and tied to the bottom for good. Watch Atletico vs Huracan Live
Godoy Cruz vs Independiente - 7:10 PM EST
The unexpected league's leader will receive home the Rojos, and they know the top might be taken out of their hands if they don't focus and make the best out of themselves. Even still, this streak is allowing them to escape at least from the moment from the relegation zone, but Tomba's fans are dreaming with something more, and having Banfield obtained the last title, they know nothing is to be taken for granted in this tournament.
Its Independiente's best opportunity to reach the top, as facing the leader after last week incredible performance (especially by team's top striker, Cuqui Silvera) gives Tolo Gallego's team the best odds to climb to the top. Without Walter Acevedo, the Diablos may lack some ball control in the middle, but as long as their strikers maintain their efficiency, that might not be something to fear for. They know the Tomba will play with the obligation to win at their own home, and so they might take advantage of such pressure. Watch Godoy vs Independiente Live.
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