RSSClausura Related Content
Argentine Clausura: Boca Juniors will be looking to rebound at the Bombonera
Apr 27, 2012: Estudiantes vs Velez Sarsfield
Estudiantes de La Plata welcome Velez Sarsfield to the Cuidad de La Plata in arguably the most high-profile clash of Round 12 of the Argentine Clausura championship. Estudiantes...
Argentine Clausura: Independiente will be looking to extend unbeaten run in Mendoza
Apr 21, 2012: Velez Sarsfield vs Lanus
Round 11 of the Argentine Clausura championship pits together Velez Sarsfield and Lanus in what is expected to be a hotly-contested encounter between two Copa Libertadores participants. Fifth-placed...
Argentine Clausura: Estudiantes take on Boca in Sunday's top-of-the-table clash
All eyes will be on the Estadio Unico de La Plata, when Estudiantes de La Plata lock horns with Boca Juniors in the top-of-the-table league clash on Sunday. Estudiantes currently lead the Argentine Clausura championship with 15 points, one more point than defending champions Boca, with 14, after seven rounds. A further ingredient that will add spice to the encounter is...
Universidad de Chile vs Cobreloa Calama Report
Universidad de Chile capped off a remarkable year by winning the Chilean Clausura championship after thrashing Cobreloa 3-0 on Thursday. In winning the title, la 'U' made history in becoming the first team from Chile to win three titles in a single year, with the Chilean Apertura championship and the Copa Sudamericana.After fighting out a goalless draw with Cobreloa in Calama in the first leg of the final on Monday, Universidad de Chile proved much superior to their opponents in the return leg in front of 50,000 fans at the Estadio Nacional of Santiago.
The Chilean giants cruised to a comfortable victory thanks to first half goals from Gustavo Canales, Eduardo Vargas and Matias Rodriguez, to obtain their fifteenth national championship.
Cobreloa Calama vs Universidad de Chile Report
It was a hotly contested final between two solid sides who battled in the midfield for large part of the match. Cobreloa proved the stronger team on the field, however, they couldn't take advantage of their goal-scoring opportunities.
Cobreloa came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 61st minute, when Diego Barrios connected to a precise cross with a powerful header, but although his header seemed to beat Universidad de Chile goalkeeper Johnny Herrera, it didn't beat the post.
Colo Colo end their worst year of the 21st century empty handed
Colo Colo were within minutes from reaching the final of the Chilean Clausura championship after taking a two-goal lead against Cobreloa with goals from Esteban Paredes in the 14th minute and Carlos Munoz in the 24th minute in Calama on Tuesday.But a defensive error from the Colo Colo defense ten minutes from full-time allowed Diego Barrios to score a crucial goal for Cobreloa, that sent them into the final of the Clausura on the away goals rule. Cobreloa had picked up a 3-2 win over Colo Colo in Santiago on the weekend.
Not only did the goal mean Colo Colo missed out on the final of the Clausura, but to top off a miserable year for the Cacique it also meant that they failed to qualify for the 2012 Copa Libertadores.
Lionel Messi's cousin leads Olimpia to first Paraguayan championship in eleven years
Gerardo Pelusso's side won the match courtesy of goals from Argentine striker Maximiliano Biancucchi, the elder cousin of Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, and Colombian defender Francisco Najera.
With the triumph, Olimpia put an end to more than a decade without a title. Olimpia, who are known as the 'King of Cups' for having been crowned South American champions on three occasions, also assured themselves of participation in the 2012 editions of both the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana.
Mexico’s Clausura Liguilla : Another Slow Start for America As Rafael Marquez Lugo Propels Morelia
By: C.I. SanchezMorelia took an early 1-0 head start in the 16th minute and never let go of its lead. Now, America will have to figure out a master plan to overcome its slight 1-2 deficit. Tomas Boy, Morelia’s animated manager, must certainly be happy with the way his team defended and took advantage of its few attacking opportunities.
Minus a mishap in the 69th minute, the Morelia backline had a fairly solid performance. For a squad that allowed an unexpected 24 goals during the regular season of the Clausura, goalkeeper Federico Vilar had his defenders cover the 18-yard box quite well.
Mexico’s Primera Division: Year of the Tigres?
By: C.I. SanchezAlthough the Chinese calendar says 2011 is the year of the rabbit, in Mexico’s Primera Division it just might be the year of the Tigres.
The boys from Nuevo Leon are sitting well ahead Group 1, comfortably handling Monterrey and Guadalajara. Unquestionably, the Tigres will get a leading position for the knockout phase and could very well win the Clausura 2011 championship assuming it keeps playing some beautiful football.
Perhaps this brilliant Clausura 2011 could very well be the start of a strong resurgence for a team that has not won a league trophy since the 1980s. Brazilian manager Ricardo Ferretti has a squad in place that is strong, unified, and consistent.
Mexican Clausura 2011 - Will it be a photo finish for Group 2?
It is the only group that has a leader with 6 losses. It is the only group without a double-digit difference between the team with the most and the team with the least amount of points. It is the only group that has a team that has only had 1 draw in 15 games. It is Group 2.What a Clausura 2011 it has been for the six teams in Group 2! Whereas Groups 1 and 3 have each had a team power through the season and easily secure spots for the knockout round, respectively U.N.A.L and UNAM, Group 2 has had a thrilling season. At the moment, Atlante, America, Toluca, or Atlas have a chance to advance.
Argentina's Primera Division Preview - Colon vs Estudiantes
It's been made clear Argentina's football league is one of the toughest ones around, but Estudiantes has shown how a solid strategy and the hunger for glory can be two defining weapons on the quest for the title. Nonetheless last week's misstep against Rosario Central forced Estudiantes to stand one point below Argentinos in the fight for the title. Colon needs to recover from the wounds Godoy Cruz inflicted in the last match, will they be able to stop Estudiantes' fierce advance?
Here, there and Everywhere
Alejandro Saballa has undoubtedly turned Estudiantes' squad into a deadly engine, and after claiming last year's Libertadores title, the Pincha are now about to lift the Torneo Clausura's title after many years and it looks like qualification for the semi finals of America's most coveted competition is about to be obtained.
Argentina's Primera Division - Independiente vs Argentinos
Claudio Borghi and Tolo Gallego managed to grow their squads during the tournament and them both are hot on Estudiantes' heels. As there are only six points in play before this tournament is over, it's clear this will be an early final for the Clausura, unless Estudiantes defeats Rosario Central and is crowned champion before this match is held. Ismael Sosa and Nestor Silvera, top strikers for both teams might be missing this match, and thus the strategy will weight more than the individual capabilities of two teams that have been showing what they're capable of during the whole year. Argentinos was defeated only two times in the tournament, and this week the Diego Armando Maradona might be lit with the light of hopes upon a victory.
Enraged little devils
Argentinos' has been growing tougher and stronger during the last years, but Gabriel Hauche's departure to Racing early left a space Claudio Borghi was rapidly able to fill with Ismael Sosa and Nicolas Pavlovich, two big revelations that have granted Argentinos the second position.
Argentina's Primera Division - Boca Juniors vs Independiente
This is clearly a point of no return for Boca Juniors, for not even the infinite number of modifications that took place within the starting squad in this tournament has been enough to give the Xeneizes an opportunity to fight for a place in an American competition. Nonetheless the importance of these last three matches will be decisive for Boca to escape from the rarefied air of the basement, which have been playing against them during the whole season. Who will get the glory of this week's Derby?
A living hell
Boca Juniors' present is a dark one, as Abel Alves' exit could have meant the beginning of a new era for the Xeneizes, but it's clear team's problems run deeper than one figure, and thus call for a more radical solution than a simple change in the papers. Roberto Pompei has for the moment been unable to lead the team towards an awakening, and the pressure grows higher week after week.
Argentina's Primera Division - Boca Juniors vs San Lorenzo
Boca appears to be unable to get back on its feet, unlike San Lorenzo whose two consecutive victories on difficult derbies (Independiente and Huracan) have raised their spirit and given them wings to dream with an awakening. It'd be almost impossible for both teams to obtain qualification for next year's Copa Libertadores, but the Sudamericana might be reachable for whoever claims the three points this Sunday. Roman Riquelme will return to the squad and his expertise might lead the Xeneizes to a new victory, whose performance at their own ground has been solid, with an average of 1.7 goals per game. Will Boca players be able to tame the raven?
A flying raven
Looking at the fixture only two months ago one was to think this will be the most decisive match of 16th round, but the reality has been rather different. Occupying the 19th and 17th positions, the perspectives of their future are rather cloudy, but at least San Lorenzo has shown some commitment during the last weeks and two consecutive victories have boosted players' spirit and particularly Gallego Mendez's confidence as a coach, an experience quite new for this young manager.
Huracan - San Lorenzo Derby - Argentina's Clausura Match Preview
During the last year the Cuervos have shown they have a few aces on their squad (Sebastian Bordagaray, Juan Manuel Torres, Bernando Romeo and Pipi Romagnoli) which could have turn the tide on their favor, but something went wrong in the middle, and nowadays San Lorenzo's status is worrisome. Last week's victory over Independiente injected a new spirit in team's players, fundamental to reach the derby believing it’s possible to obtain the full scoring. Chulo Rivoira's Globo players have showed they're meant to fly high, and a victory this week might take them to the fifth position. This match means much more than three points for both combatants, who will take the glory?
A falling raven
The last weeks have been a nightmare for San Lorenzo, for Cholo Simeone's controversial exit from the team sank the Cuervos even further in the positions table with 14 points. Thanks to last week's unexpected victory over Independiente the team managed to escape from the bottom line, which would have become this Derby even more determinant for San Lorenzo.
Argentina's Primera Division Preview - Velez vs Banfield
Argentina's Clausura entered its last stage, with Independiente unchallenged at the top. Their places for the Knockout Stage on the Copa Libertadores are almost secured, but with 18 points in play for the title anything is possible. Velez's coach Ricardo Gareca declared its team objective will be the American title, and his stars will be given a rest for what could be a decisive match for the title. Julio Cesar Falcioni will be going for everything, and with Santiago Fernandez and Ruben Ramirez, the Drill would be almost unstoppable.
An opportunity to dream
Velez's performance during the last weeks have undermined Tigre Gareca's confidence, and even though the Fortin is standing only eight points away most team's integral players will be given a chance to rest. It is unknown whether team's top striker Santiago Silva will be facing its former team, which he led to last year's title, as his presence has also been conclusive in the Libertadores.
Argentina's Primera Division - Velez vs Estudiantes
Both Velez and Estudiantes have been focusing their strengths for the Copa Libertadores than to the Clausura, but nonetheless their players were able to keep them on the upper half of the positions table. Both teams will be chancing their arms upon this match, for whoever is victory will join the top fight, relegating the looser to depend on their success at the Libertadores not to be depressed by their performance. Alejandro Sabella and Ricardo Gareca, two experienced coaches will battle to see who deserves the title of third candidate for this league.
Estudiantes vs Banfield - Primera Division Match Preview
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.
Argentina's Primera Division Preview - Colon vs Independiente
Sunday will face the leaders against a solid opponent, who had the opportunity to taste the top during the first weeks but had to see it escape from their hands after a series of shameful presentations. Will they be able to recover in time for this clash against the Devils?
Ghost busters
It's been years since Inpendiente had such a good beginning of a tournament (We'll have to go back to Apertura 07 to even see a reminder of this year's performance), and Godoy Cruz's defeat on Friday made this match a must for Tolo Gallego and his players, as it'd give the opportunity to open a five point gap with their followers, securing the top at least for two more weeks.
Team's midfield engine will be highly severed for this decisive match, as both Ignacio Piatti and Walter Busse will be unable to be on the fields, both having to stop by the Operation Room after some severe injuries.
Argentina's Superclasico Boca Juniors vs River Plate - MatchDay 10
Without a doubt this will be one of the strangest Superclasico in years, as both Boca Juniors and River Plate appear to have left their place as Argentina's major teams to other, but nonetheless their fans are waiting for this game with the same expectation as every other...