It seems what we're used to call Major teams in Argentina have left their place to new promises. Estudiantes and Banfield have successfully become one of the main alternatives to fill these empty spaces. Though their main concern is the Copa Libertadores (which the Pinchas managed to lift last year after more than 30 years) coach's expertise coupled with a squad full of big banes has been enough to place them both between top six in the league.
Having played many matches with second-tier players (preserving their best for America's most important competition) this time we will witness 22 of Argentina's brightest star fight for glory this Sunday in La Plata.
Alejandro Sabella and Julio Cesar Falcioni are undoubtedly the responsible for this team's awakening. Banfield managed to obtain last year its first title in their history, thanks to a solid 4-4-2 formation with sparks of magic from James Rodriguez and Walter Erviti's feet and Santiago Silva and Sebastian Fernandez's lethal offensive.
But last year's league's top striker and star Santiago Silva had to return finally to its former team, Velez Sarsfield, where he's once again becoming a hero by allowing the Fortin reach the top of their Libertadores group. The Taladro did not really miss its absence, as Ruben Ramirez (Former Colon player) joined the team after a gloomy semester playing for Racing Club, giving even more air to Fernandez to make what he does best at their opponent's area.
From America to the world
Alejandro Sabella had to bear with a striker's absence too, but after spending some time in Mexico Gaston Fernandez finally return to the Pincha, where he tasted glory by giving its team a decisive goal to obtain last year's Libertadores.
Mauro Boselli's time playing in La Plata is running short, as many European giants have already laid their eyes over the prolific Argentinean striker, but giving its team present it'll be unlikely for him to travel to Europe unless some awkward surprises take place. Regarding Gata Fernandez present, team's coach declared "He still needs a little bit more burst, but he's doing an excellent work. He's got lots of quality, potency and he's a unique ball holder".
This might be the last time this unstoppable Estudiantes has the chance to hold on to a title, as once this semester is over at least three important names will almost surely travel to Europe: Mauro Boselli, Cristian Angeleri and Enzo Perez.
Without three pillars of what this team is fighting for it'll take time for Alejandro Sabella to rearm its team and turn it into an offensive machine, so it'll be mandatory to take advantage as long as possible of the slaughter machine he's created. Provided no physical injuries change manager's call, Estudiantes' formation will be Orión, Angeleri, Cellay, Desábato, Ré; Pérez, Braña, Verón, Sosa; Fernández y Boselli.
Hot on the heels of Independiente and standing at the third position, without a victory the top might get out of Juan Sebastian Veron's team reach, denying them the opportunity to compete for both the Clausura and the Libertadores as candidates. But a victory might work as an adrenaline injection for this flourishing team, as their success at the Copa has elevated players' confidence up to the roof. Mauro Boselli is the actual league's top striker, with eight goals in 11 matches. Banfield, on the other hand, has the third less conceded goal, having received only nine goals in this tournament.
An unstoppable drill
Thanks to their return to victory against Gimnasia La Plata, Banfield has once again found its path to the title, one they've easily walked last year. Having secured their future on the Copa Libertadores, thanks to Falcioni's physical training Banfield has been able to participate in both competitions with the same starting eleven and such regularity has been key to make the most out of his players.
With Victor Lopez leading one of their offensive sides (with resemblances to Javier Zanetti's style) and the security of Cristian Luchetti's gloves, it'd take much effort for Estudiantes to break Taladro's defensive shell, but Banfield has not respond well on matches where their opponent took the upper hand during the first minutes, and Alejandro Sabella will probably take this into consideration.
"This team needs guts and courage to rise as giants" team's coach declared during the week after their trip to Mexico, and thanks to Maximiliano Laso they were able to return home with a point of utmost importance. Having return to the squad after a successful debut back in 2007, Laso had the opportunity to bring once again joy to Taladro's fans.
One of the things Banfield will have to be careful about is their aggressiveness on the defensive; last week four players saw the yellow card, and soon they'll be lacking cornerstones on their play as long as their behavior does not straighten soon.
Watch out for James Rodriguez and Walter Erviti, for once again these two wizards will cast the most dangerous balls against the Pinchas, and they'll need their skills at their highest, for three absences will surely take place in Banfield. Ruben Ramirez, Julio Barrasa and Marcelo Bustamente have not returned very well from Mexico. Their places will probably be taken by young players, as Falcioni is known for giving an opportunity to his players no matter how challenging the match seems to be.
Historical Facts
Banfield suffered against Estudiantes its worst match in their history, falling 8-1 back in 1947, but during the last years they're able to get close to an even score.
Out of the 80 matches they've ever played, Estudiantes won 30 against 29 won by their rival. 21 times the game ended as a tie. Estudiantes converted 20 more goals than their opponents (127 to 107) this might the opportunity for Julio Cesar Falcioni to repeat once again last year's result, when they beat the Pinchas 2 to 1.
But one element will be missing; their success had much to do with Santiago Silva's finesse in the offensive. Will Sebastian Fernandez be able to touch the sky with his hands by the time he returns to the south?
