Belgrano outclass GPJ in friendly

With 10 days to go, Belgrano are shaping up nicely for the the start of the Clausura 2007 . A friendly had been arranged for this morning against General Paz Juniors, a local club playing in the third division. Belgrano took to the match with Montoya; Serrizuela, Peppino, Caceres and Tarchini; Donnet, Bolatti, Mansanelli and Maldonado; Delgado and Rios. The match consisted of two 30-minutes halves and Belgrano won 3-0. Newly-promoted Maldonado (2) and Rios were the goalscorers. Nearly 500 hundred spectators gathered to see the match. The next and last friendly in the pre-season will be played next Sunday against the reserves of Instituto Atletico Central Cordoba.


Matias Donnet Interview

Donnet in training

Just hours after arriving into Cordoba, Matias Donnet gave his first impressions about his new team and the terms of his contract. Here is an extract of his comments taken from the interview with Radio Impacto (originally in Spanish):

(On why he decided to join Belgrano): "I have a great expectation. I liked the idea of signing for Belgrano and I have to get into a good shape so I can fit into the coach's plan"

(On whether his decision was helped by other reasons): "It was important in my decision to know that there were former teammates -Delgado and Medran- at the club. I also talked to Alfredo Altieri (assistant coach) whom I know from my previous experience at Boca Juniors and whom I have a very good relation with. All these factors helped my decision"

(On what he is capable to offer Belgrano and their fans): "When you arrive at a new club, you always have renewed hopes, you feel great and that makes you try hard to do well. I just hope I am able to succeed and to get back to the level I once had"

(On coming back to his level after spending long periods withouth playing): "I spent a long time without playing for Boca Juniors, and joining DC United gave me the chance of playing again feeling really well. I know that even if you have been not playing regularly, your experience and skills do not just go away"

(On whether returning to Argentine football is a personal challenge for him): "I don't see it as a personal revenge or anything like that. Coming into a new team means you have to put a lot of effort and hard work and to show the coach you have the conditions to play week in and week out"

(On his view of the match Belgrano draw against last champion Estudiantes): "I watched the match and I enjoyed it. Belgrano were solid, had tactical order and they always tried to keep the ball and that was good"


And this was only a friendly!

Take a look at this short clip featuring the terrific support of our fans. Talk about loyal and inconditional support...

Party in the terraces!


Belgrano announce Donnet signing


Belgrano took another positive step to strengthen their squad by signing 26-year old midfielder Matias Donnet. Matias, a former Union and Boca Juniors player, played for DC United during the second semester of 2006 where he scored 1 goal in 8 appearances. Donnet is a very skilled all-round midfielder with a taste for goal. Although he likes playing as a right winger, he is also comfortable playing central holding midfield and as left winger. He has played over 150 professional matches and scored 24 goals. He said he was looking forward to playing for Belgrano and that he wanted to get back to the level it saw him become one of Boca Juniors most reliable performers under the coaching of Carlos Bianchi. He was given the "Man of the Match" award for his goal in the final against Milan in the 2003 Interncontinental Cup (Boca won the cup after penalty shoot-out). The addition of Matias to the Belgrano midfield is certainly a quality one and we look forward to enjoying his silky passing and wonderful technique.


Pre-season matches - Reports

Belgrano played the first two matches programmed for the pre-season in the Copa Ciudad de Cordoba. Altough these are only pre-season matches, there were some interesting things to look forward to. The first match saw Belgrano go down to Velez Sarfield by 3-0. Velez dictated play and were more efficient in front of the goal but the scoreline was not a reflection of the match. Both teams created many scoring chances and the match was entertaining. Balvorin and Mauro Zarate (2) were the goalscorers. The second match pinned Belgrano against the last champion, Estudiantes de La Plata. There were two debuts for Belgrano, Chelo Delgado and Maldonado, and it was the first match coached by Primo. The match ended 1-1 and it was the most fitting result. Belgrano played a good match until the last 20 minutes where there were evident signs of tiredness. Estudiantes played a solid match and had several good chances in the second half cleared by our goallie Montoya. Soriano scored for Belgrano and Pavone gave Estudiantes the leveller from the spot kick. Belgrano had a good test against two quality opponents and there are promising signs of a very competitive Belgrano team in the making. Check out the clips below with the best moments of each match.

Belgrano vs Estudiantes

>
Belgrano vs Velez Sarfield


Belgrano lands promising forward


Belgrano have agreed terms with promising 23-years old Paraguayan forward Marcos Antonio Lazaga. He played for 2 de Mayo and helped the team finish 3rd in the Apertura in Paraguay. He scored 6 goals in 20 matches and was reported to have talks with Paraguay's top two teams, Olimpia and Cerro Porteño before agreeing to move to Belgrano. Although not widely known outside Paraguay, he has received a lot of praise from respected managers. Everybody expects him to do well and to bring along many goals for the team.


Daniel Primo appointed as new coach

Daniel Primo, a former Belgrano midfielder, has been appointed as interim coach of the Club Atletico Belgrano. He will have Alfredo Altieri (assistant), Claudio Mazaforte (fitness coach) and Hector Tocalli (goalkeeping coach) as his collaborators. At just 37, Primo will be the youngest coach in the Argentine First Division. Chairman Armando Perez has said he has full confidence in the new coach and praised his commitment and dedication to the club. Good luck to you Daniel!


Griguol quits job

Mario Griguol has decided to quit his job as main coach halfway the pre-season. Although it came as a shock to most fans and supporters, it was publicly known that Griguol was dealing with some personal problems and he said he needed to take care of these matters. Although the board was originally reluctant to accept his decision, Griguol kept his stance and it was all in good terms. Griguol will coach the team in a friendly against Velez Sarfield tomorrow and will leave the club on Monday. The chairman Armando Perez hinted that Griguol is free to come back to the club anytime in the future if he wanted to (he also decided that his contract would not be terminated). Griguol coached the team for all but one matches in the Apertura 2006 and obtained 20 points in 18 games. He also promoted several promising youngsters to the first team and always kept a low profile and conducted himself in good manners both on and off the pitch. We wish him good luck in his future.


Belgrano sign Delgado

After several weeks of negotiations, Marcelo Delgado was confirmed as the new addition to Belgrano de Cordoba. The signing of Delgado comes as a high-profile move by the Belgrano management. He arrived in Cordoba last friday accompannied by Armando Perez and after a short press conference he joined his new teamates in the pre-season training. When asked about why he decided to join Belgrano he said: "Belgrano is one of the biggest regional clubs and their manament is reliable and serious. Although I had other offers, I had given my word to Armando Perez and I decided to come here". When asked about his expectations and the difficult challenge of relegation, he answered confidently: "My objective is to fight at the top of the league. I have not come to fight relegation. The management are trying to put together a good team and I am going to show what I am still capable of". He is due to start in the first pre-season friendly against Velez Sarfield on Thursday.


Delgado the first signing?


Marcelo Alejandro Delgado is on the verge of becoming the first signing for Belgrano de Cordoba. When asked about this the player was quoted as saying yesterday: "There is a 90% chance of a move to Belgrano and I think it will be defined tomorrow". If it is confirmed this would be the first summer signing and it would be a quality addition to the squad. Belgrano went into the transfer window looking for two forwards (highest priority) and two wingers (lower priority) but faced a very tight market with rising values. But after a couple of weeks of talks and negotiations, it seems that Delgado will finally put on a Belgrano jersey. Delgado, whose previous clubs include Racing, Boca Juniors and Cruz Azul, is a quick 33-years old forward with a taste for goal. He also played for the national team and was included in the national squad for the 1998 World Cup. He has a rich and vast experience at club level having enjoyed success and silverware during his two spells at Boca Juniors. He was also the top scorer in the Copa Libertadores 2003. After several teams showed interest in Delgado, it seems likely that Belgrano will be his destination. Belgrano needed to strengthen its squad for the Clausura 2006 and the signing of Delgado would be a great step in that direction. More to follow...


Interest for Montoya and Bolatti

During the past month speculation has been rife over the future of Belgrano's two best players. Following the start of the transfer window, things were calm in the beginning but the names of German Montoya and Mario Bolatti have been ever present in the media. However, the chairman Armando Perez has declared that the players will stay until June save for a monumental offer (presumably coming from abroad). Montoya, who along Juan Pablo Carrizo and Mariano Andujar, was the best goalkeeper in the Apertura 2006 was originally linked with River Plate as a potential replacement for Carrizo. The interest vanished as Carrizo isn't going anywhere. Weeks later, Boca Juniors declared their interest in signing the highly-rated Montoya but decided to look elsewhere after they knew the high asking price (thought to be about $ 2.5 million). With the big guns having already signed other keepers, it seems very likely that Montoya will stay for at both least six more months. Mario Bolatti has had even more repercusion in the media. The Independiente manager, Jorge Burruchaga, has openly praised Bolatti saying that he is the central midfield that his team needs but the club is not able to match Belgrano's asking price (around $ 5 million). Boca Juniors then came into the mix (rumours suggest none other than Diego Maradona had recommended signing Bolatti as a replacement for Fernando Gago) and a meeting between the chairmans from Boca and Belgrano is to take place in the coming days. Nevertheless, our chairman's intention is to keep the player until June. Will Belgrano be tempted by the millions Boca Juniors may put on the table? So far, the story has an open end.



Belgrano enters voleyball league

Presentation of the Voleyball League. Belgrano, fourth from left

We had a wonderful 2006 with the team winning promotion, the wins against Talleres, our biggest rivals, and looking settled in top-flight football. Good news kept coming as the chairman was delighted to announce the Belgrano was to enter the Voleyball League. Voleyball is growing in popularity in Argentina and week after week the teams are drawing more and more people. The Club Atletico Belgrano will replace the financially-challenged Alianza Jesus Maria as the only participating team from Cordoba in the prestigious League. Belgrano has taken over the players of Alianza JM and will play at a nearby arena. The league is very competitive and although Belgrano may find it hard to settle, the task will be made easier by the strong and loyal support of our football- and voleyball-mad supporters. These are very encouraging news showing once more the ambitious plans of the current management. The team makes its debut next Saturday 06/01 against Rosario Sonder. Info about the team and players in future posts...


A colorful start of the year

Well, 2007 has arrived and we hope the new year will bring success and happiness to Belgrano and their wonderful fans. I've been rather lazy over the last few weeks (the official excuse is I've been busy with other stuff!) and I am trying to catch up with the team news. In the meantime, have a look at this video to kick-off the year in best mood. Another colorful and noisy fan display...




OYOLA, Matias

Name: OYOLA, Matias
D.O.B: 15/10/1982
Place : Rio Cuarto (ARG)
Heigh: 1.67 m.
Weigt: 69 kg.
Shirt : #8
Posit.: MIDFIELDER


Career: available soon


PAGES, Ricardo Hernan

Name: PAGES, Ricardo Hernan
D.O.B: 02/05/1973
Place: Capital Federal (ARG)
Height:
Weight:
Shirt #:
Position:
DEFENDER
Last Club: Banfield


Career: available soon


RIOS, Andres Daniel

Name: RIOS, Andres Daniel
D.O.B: 21/02/1983
Place : Cordoba (ARG)
Heigh: 1.68 m.
Weigt: 69 kg.
Shirt : #27
Posit.: FORWARD


Career: available soon


PEPPINO, Franco

Name: PEPPINO, Franco
D.O.B: 16/06/1982
Place : Cordoba (ARG)
Heigh: 1.79 m.
Weigt: 66 kg.
Shirt : #2
Posit.: DEFENDER



Career:
available soon


TURUS, Gaston Alejandro

Name: TURUS, Gaston Alejandro
D.O.B: 27/05/1980
Place: Colonia Caroya (ARG)
Height: 1.78 m.
Weight: 69 kg.
Shirt: #13
Position: DEFENDER
Last Club: Belgrano

SeasonTeamGPGoalsYCRCStaSubTMAMPGPMYPGPCPAEFF
2007/08Belgrano21-
4
3
20
1
1803
85.850.000.191
-
0.88
2006/07Belgranona
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
2005/06Belgranona
na
na
na
nanananananananana

YC: Yellow Cards | RC: Red Cards | Started: Games started | Sub: Games from the bench | TM: Total Minutes | AMP: Average Minutes per Game | GPM: Goals per Match | YPG: Yellow Cards per Game | PC: Penalties Committed | PA: Penalties Against | EFF: Efficiency


SUAREZ, Matias

Name: SUAREZ, Matias
D.O.B: 09/08/1988
Place : La Falda (ARG)
Height: 1.76 m.
Weight: 69 kg.
Shirt:
#9
Position: MIDFIELDER/FORWARD
Last Club:
Union San Vicente

SeasonTeamGPGoalsYCRCStaSubTMAMPGPMYPGPCPAEFF
2007/08Belgrano299
10
-
29-252487.030.310.34-31.24
2006/07Belgrano1422-5969049.280.140.14-1-
2005/06Belgrano3---nanananananananana

YC: Yellow Cards | RC: Red Cards | Started: Games started | Sub: Games from the bench | TM: Total Minutes | AMP: Average Minutes per Game | GPM: Goals per Match | YPG: Yellow Cards per Game | PC: Penalties Committed | PA: Penalties Against | EFF: Efficiency


PORCARI, Matias Sebastian

Name: PORCARI, Matias Sebastian
D.O.B: 12/04/1986
Place : Laguna Larga (ARG)
Heigh: 1.75 m.
Weigh 71 kg.
Shirt : #19
Posit.: MIDFIELDER/FORWARD



Career: available soon


BOLATTI, Mario Ariel

Name: BOLATTI, Mario Ariel
D.O.B: 17/02/1985
Place : La Para(ARG)
Heigh: 1.89 m.
Weigt: 81 kg.
Shirt : #5
Posit.: MIDFIELDER



Career: available soon


TARCHINI, Pablo

Name: TARCHINI, Pablo
D.O.B: 11/5/1985
Place : Cordoba (ARG)
Heigh: 1.74 m.
Weigt: 66 kg.
Shirt: #12
Posit.: DEFENDER


Career: available soon


SERRIZUELA, Juan Jose

Name: SERRIZUELA, Juan Jose
D.O.B: 25/01/1977
Place : Avellaneda (ARG)
Heigh: 1.85 m.
Weigt: 86 kg.
Shirt : #4
Posit.: DEFENDER



Career: available soon


CERVERA, Jorge Elio

Name: CERVERA, Jorge Elio
D.O.B: 17/01/1975
Place : San Rafael (ARG)
Heigh: 1.78 m.
Weigt: 75 kg.
Shirt : #10
Posit.: MIDFIELDER/FORWARD



Career: available soon



MONTOYA, Marcelo German

Name: MONTOYA, Marcelo German
D.O.B: 23/01/1983
Place : Cordoba (ARG)
Heigh: 1.72 m.
Weigt: 71 kg.
Shirt : #25
Posit.: GOALKEEPER


Career: available soon


AIMAR, Andres Ricardo

Name: AIMAR, Andres Ricardo
D.O.B: 18/11/1981
Place: Rio Cuarto (ARG)
Height: 1.74 m.
Weight: 65 kg.
Shirt: #
Position: MIDFIELDER
Last Club: Namur


Career: available soon


CACERES, Juan Daniel

Name: CACERES, Juan Daniel
D.O.B: 10/06/1973
Place : Asuncion, PAR
Heigh: 1.83 m.
Weigt: 76 kg.
Shirt : #29
Posit.: DEFENDER


Career:
available soon


GIGLI, Matias Nicolas

Name: GIGLI, Matias Nicolas
D.O.B: 07/07/1976
Place : Arroyo Seco (ARG)
Height: 1.75 m.
Weight: 69 kg.
Shirt: #18
Position: FORWARD
Last Club: Godoy Cruz

SeasonTeamGPGoalsYCRCStaSubTMAMPGPMYPGPCPAEFF
2007/08Belgrano254
-
-
916
1090
43.06
0.160.00--
1.16
2006/07Belgranona
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
2005/06Belgranona
na
na
na
nanananananananana

YC: Yellow Cards | RC: Red Cards | Started: Games started | Sub: Games from the bench | TM: Total Minutes | AMP: Average Minutes per Game | GPM: Goals per Match | YPG: Yellow Cards per Game | PC: Penalties Committed | PA: Penalties Against | EFF: Efficiency


MARTINEZ, Miguel Angel

Name: MARTINEZ, Miguel Angel
D.O.B: 19/01/1984
Place: Azul (ARG)
Heigh: 1.84 m.
Weigt: 79 kg.
Shirt: #3
Position: DEFENDER
Last Club: Racing Club

SeasonTeamGPGoalsYCRCStaSubTMAMPGPMYPGPCPAEFF
2007/08Belgrano241
4
1
24
-
2078
86.58
0.040.171
-
0.93
2006/07Belgranona
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
na
2005/06Racing Club
na
na
na
na
nanananananananana

YC: Yellow Cards | RC: Red Cards | Started: Games started | Sub: Games from the bench | TM: Total Minutes | AMP: Average Minutes per Game | GPM: Goals per Match | YPG: Yellow Cards per Game | PC: Penalties Committed | PA: Penalties Against | EFF: Efficiency


FARRE, Guillermo

Name: FARRE, Guillermo
D.O.B: 16/03/1981
Place: Colon (ARG)
Height: 1.77 m.
Weight: 76 kg.
Shirt: #16
Position: MIDFIELDER
Last Club: Central Cordoba

Career: available soon


ESTEBAN, Guillermo Adolfo

Name: ESTEBAN, Guillermo Adolfo
D.O.B: 23/02/1987
Place: Saliquello (ARG)
Height: 1.84 m.
Weight:
Shirt #:
Position: DEFENDER
Last Club: Banfield


Career: available soon


FARIAS, Mario Hector

Name: FARIAS, Mario Hector
D.O.B:
Place:
Height:
Weight:
Shirt:
#16
Position: DEFENDER
Last Club: Belgrano

Career: available soon


DE GIORGIS, Carlos Alberto

Name: DE GIORGIS, Carlos Alberto
D.O.B: 23/04/84
Place: Cordoba (ARG)
Height: 1.86 m.
Weight: 78 kg.
Shirt #:
Position:
GOALKEEPER
Last Club: Gimnasia y Esgrima de Jujuy


Career: available soon


ALDECOA, Mariano

Name: ALDECOA, Mariano
D.O.B: 09/07/1986
Place: Cordoba (ARG)
Height:
Weight:
Shirt:
#19
Position: RIGHT WINGER - FORWARD
Last Club: Belgrano

Career: available soon


VAZQUEZ, Franco

Name: VAZQUEZ, Franco
D.O.B: 22/02/1989
Place: Cordoba
Height: 1.80 m.
Weight:
Shirt:
Position: ATTACKING MIDFIELDER/FORWARD
Last Club: Belgrano

Career: available soon


TABORDA, Mario

Name: TABORDA, Mario
D.O.B:
Place:
Height:
Weight:
Shirt #:

Position: MIDFIELDER
Last Club: Belgrano


MANSANELLI, Cesar Osvaldo

Name: MANSANELLI, Cesar Osvaldo
D.O.B: 29/08/1980
Place: Cordoba (ARG)
Height: 1.76 m.
Weight: 75 kg.
Shirt: #26
Position: WINGER/MIDFIELDER
Last Club: Racing de Cordoba

Career: available soon


HECHALAR, Hernan Ignacio

Name: HECHALAR, Hernan Ignacio
D.O.B: 12/08/1980
Place: Cordoba (ARG)
Height: 1.72 m.
Weight: 70 kg.
Shirt: #14
Position: FORWARD
Last Club: Belgrano

Career: available soon


NOVARETTI, Diego Martin

Name: NOVARETTI, Diego Martin
D.O.B: 09/05/1985
Place: La Palestina (ARG)
Height: 1.93 m.
Weight: 85 kg.
Shirt: #2
Position: DEFENDER
Last Club: Belgrano

Career: available soon


MACEIRA, Ernesto Martin

Name: MACEIRA, Ernesto Martin
D.O.B: 19/02/1983
Place: Cordoba (ARG)
Height: 1.72 m.
Weight: 68 kg.
Shirt #:
Position: WING BACK/WINGER
Last Club: Mallorca "B"


Career: available soon


GARCIA, Federico Ariel

Name: GARCIA, Federico Ariel
D.O.B: 08/01/1978
Place: Malagueno (ARG)
Height: 1.76 m.
Weight: 72 kg.
Shirt #: 10
Position: MIDFIELDER - LEFT WINGER
Last Club: Olimpo


ARRIOLA, Gerardo Ezequiel

Name: ARRIOLA, Gerardo Ezequiel
D.O.B: 09/07/1982
Place: Cordoba (ARG)
Height: 1.73 m.
Weight: 71 kg.
Shirt #: 27
Position: LEFT WINGER - MIDFIELDER
Last Club: Belgrano


Career: available soon


MONASTERIO, Cesar Leonardo

Name: MONASTERIO, Cesar Leonardo
D.O.B: 10/07/1971
Place: San Miguel de Tucuman (ARG)
Height: 1.90 m
Weight:
Shirt #:
Position: GOALKEEPER
Last Club: San Martin de San Juan



Career: Available soon


DELGADO, Marcelo Alejandro

Name: DELGADO, Marcelo Alejandro
D.O.B: 24/03/1973
Place : Capitan Bermudez (ARG)
Heigh: 1.73 m.
Weigh: 75 kg.
Shirt : #16
Posit.: FORWARD


Career: available soon


CROSSA, Martin

Name: CROSSA, Martin
D.O.B: 02/02/1977
Place: Buenos Aires (ARG)
Height: 1.87 m.
Weight: 83 kg.
Shirt #:
Position: FORWARD
Last Club: Progreso


Career: available soon


LOLLO, Luciano

Name: LOLLO, Luciano
D.O.B: 29/03/1987
Place: Cordoba (ARG)
Height:
Weight:
Shirt #:
Position:
DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER
Last Club: Belgrano


Career: available soon


OLAVE, Juan Carlos

Name: OLAVE, Juan Carlos
D.O.B: 21/02/1976
Place: Cordoba (ARG)
Height: 1.86 m.
Weight: 78 kg.
Shirt #: 1
Position: GOALKEEPER
Last Club: Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP)


Career: available soon


BUSTOS, Claudio Fernando

Name: BUSTOS, Claudio Fernando
D.O.B: 24/05/1977
Place: San Luis (ARG)
Height:
Weight:
Shirt #:
11
Position: FORWARD


Career: available soon


CASADO, Juan Ernesto

Name: CASADO, Juan Ernesto
D.O.B: 15/06/1980
Place: Capital Federal (ARG)
Height: 1.73 m.
Weight: 69 kg.
Shirt #:
Position:
ATTACKING MIDFIELDER


Career: available soon


BERZA, Marcelo Fabian

Name: BERZA, Marcelo Fabian
D.O.B: 28/07/1975
Place: San Juan (ARG)
Height: .1.85 m.
Weight:
Shirt #:
Position:
DEFENDER


Career: available soon


DONNET, Matias Abel

Name: DONNET, Matias Abel
D.O.B: 18/04/1980
Place : Esperanza (ARG)
Heigh: 1.73 m.
Weigt: 68 kg.
Shirt : #32
Posit.: MIDFIELDER



Career: