Belgrano were relegated to the Argentine Second Division despite winning 3-0 against Banfield. Nueva Chicago and Godoy Cruz will play promotion legs against teams from the Second Division. It's sad news for the fans but we have the will and desire to bounce back next year. We'll be back.
That is what we need today. To have a chance of avoiding direct relegation Belgrano must win in their clash against Banfield and both players and fans will eagerly await the result between Newells and Nueva Chicago since a Newells defeat will send Belgrano packing. There is optimism, the fans will fill the stadium as always but unfortunately our chances hinge on what will happen elsewhere. Belgrano have fought through and come out victorious on many other occassions in the past and we all hope there is another epic page to be written in our glorious history. Come on guys, do it for the fans. We deserve it!
Belgrano were beaten by an alternative Boca Juniors side (the main players had been rested to play the final of the Copa Libertadores). This defeat meant that our hopes of avoiding direct relegation were left hanging by a thread. Bruno Marioni scored the only goal of the match. Belgrano looked lost and beaten during the first half and were unable to create anything in the second half. A woeful performance from the boys who don't really look to be deserving of the illustrious Belgrano shirt right now. Only one match to go. It will take a miracle to stay up.
Man of the match: Battaglia (BOC)
Attendance: not supplied
Even if Belgrano win the remaining two matches in the Clausura, they are not granted to stay in Primera Division. With Quilmes already relegated, the remaining place will be decided between Belgrano, Nueva Chicago and Godoy Cruz. Belgrano have a very difficult away fixture against Boca Juniors and finish against Banfield in Cordoba. The positives are that there are still chances and that Belgrano has always managed to overcome even the fiercest of obstacles. This is the Belgrano mystic. It is a long shot, but our players and fans are iron-willed and our determination and grit will keep us up!
Belgrano were just 11 minutes short of causing a major upset against River Plate in their last match. Although River Plata had suffered a string of bad results, they have players of inmense quality. Belgrano took to the pitch with a defensive formation with only one forward. During the first half, River controlled possession but lacked ideas to overcome the solid scheme devised by Primo. Gradually, Belgrano started to find spaces and twice were able to score in counterattacks. Lussenhoff handled the ball after a corner kick and the referee didn't think twice. Delgado (pictured), who is sort of a River nemesis, scored from the spot and Belgrano went ahead. River players and coach were jeered by their fans. The second half brought more of the same and when it seemed that River would have a hard time finding the equalizer, Caceres was sent-off (wrongly) and this forced Belgrano to hold with guts and spirit. Belgrano had three great opportunities to finish the match off but lacked the final touch. In the 36th minute, a defensive blip gave Fernandez the chance to get inside the box scoring from close range. After that, it was all River's who could have won it in the end but Montoya had some key saves. Belgrano felt a little disappointed right after the final whistle, but it is a very good result against a team who are always title candidates. The Best: The Belgrano fans, who travelled in hords to Nunez, with some reports stating the presence of 6.000 supporters. No doubt one of the best hinchadas of Argentine football.
Man of the match: Mario Bolatti
Attendance: 26.000
Velez Sarfield were soundly beaten by Belgrano last Sunday. The first 20 minutes of the match were completely dominated by Belgrano producing no less than 4 clear scoring chances. One of these was taken by Oyola who took advantage of a poor clearance and put Belgrano ahead with a neat half-volley. Velez controlled the ball for the rest of the half but were unable to create many clear chances. Montoya was excellent denying Mauro Zarate in the only real chance for Velez. In the second half, Belgrano opted for a counter-attacking style which suited them. Velez got hold of the ball but were passing it around ineffectively. Another mistake by Velez gifted the ball to Oyola who made a perfect cross headed into the net by 18-year old Suarez. Soon after, Delgado headed the counterattack for Belgrano and when it seemed that the ball was being cleared, he made a superb tackle stealing the ball from the defender and giving the assist to Porcari who neatly pushed the ball into the net. It was 3-0. By that time, Velez had already given up and Belgrano were just passing the ball around waiting for the final whistle. It was a very good victory against a good team, with passages of good play, and a much-needed stimulus for the players who now travel to face River Plate.
Man of the match: Matias Oyola
Attendance: 27.000
Bollati returns to the team replacing Bustos while Novaretti makes his Belgrano debut replacing Caceres (out, suspended). While the midfield sees Donnet and Oyola stay in the team, there are doubts concerning the two upfront. Rios is almost surely playing but Delgado has a muscle strain. If he is out, then Gigli is the candidate to replace him. For the first time since he arrived to the club, Marcos Lazaga is included into the squad. The possible team for tomorrow: Montoya; Serrizuela, Peppino, Novaretti, Martinez; Donnet, Yllana, Bolatti, Oyola; Rios and Gigli. In Nueva Chicago, Donda replaces Zarif (out, suspended).
These two short clips offer a glimpse of the fantastic party held both in the pitch and in the stands in the last match which Belgrano won 3-2. The fans had an additional reason to celebrate: It was Belgrano's 102nd Anniversary. The first clip shows Belgrano fans chanting and cheering for team as they were coming into the pitch. The second clip reproduces the moments after the match had finished (total madness!!!). The quality and recording is not professional (but props to the guy who made it!) as you can see but is good enough as to confirm the buzz: Belgrano are the biggest club in Cordoba and their people are truly unique. We may suffer, we may cheer, we may cry, we may celebrate, we may win, we may lose, we may shine, we may suck, we may chant, we may rumble...But no matter what, we will always be there with you, our beloved Club Atletico Belgrano.
Belgrano defeated Godoy Cruz in an exciting match that could have gone either way. Belgrano scored in quick sucession in the second half and put themselves ahead 3-1. Moments later, Caceres (B) was sent off and Belgrano were pushed all the way by Godoy Cruz who took advantage of the extra man. In the end, Belgrano were able to cling on to the lead even when Godoy Cruz scored a late goal. When the referee blew the final whistle, the stadium burst in joy and the celebrations started. Belgrano had obtained their first win in this tournament and one that will surely count in later stages when relegation is decided. Yllana, Rios and Donnet (pictured) were the goalscorers for Belgrano while Torresi and Miranda scored for Godoy Cruz.
Man of the match: Matias Donnet
Attendance: 35.000
Belgrano make some changes to face Godoy Cruz. Primo has confirmed that Rios and Yllana will replace Cervera and Bolatti while Bustos and Martinez are likely to play. The coach has not confirmed the team but it looks as the team will be: Montoya; Serrizuela, Peppino, Caceres, Martinez; Donnet, Yllana, Bustos, Oyola; Rios and Delgado. Godoy Cruz will play the same team who beat Colon. A huge crowd is expected for this match considered a crucial battle between two teams struggling to find their feet and biding to escape the threat of relegation.
New signigs are always a talking point specially during the first matches of the season where the expectation to see them perform is high. After 5 fixtures, El Bergantin Pirata takes stock and assesses the performance of the 4 high-profile players that Belgrano signed during the off-season.
Marcelo DELGADO: Missed the first match, then played all four matches. Only glimpses (and not many) of the player he once was. True, he hasn't yet fit into the team and he has a special training regime. Credit is still open but he better start showing more of his famed pace and "three-finger" shots. RATING: 2/5
Matias DONET: Started all 5 matches but was subbed in most of them. Sometimes this was due to poor form, other due to exhaustion. He was in very bad shape when he arrived but now he is showing good progress. Had a good outing against Estudiantes and a better one against Gimnasia scoring one gol in this match. RATING: 3/5
Matias OYOLA: The pint-sized winger was the latest to arrive and the first to make a positive impression. Apart from the first match against Rosario Central, he has been one of best players in each match. Had a decent game against Independiente and San Lorenzo, was the man of the match against Independiente and was okay against Gimnasia (where he was forced to play in an unfamiliar defensive position). He scored a goal against Estudiantes. RATING: 4/5
Marcos LAZAGA: The paraguayan forward has not had the opportunity to play since he caught an injury soon after signing. He is now back into the squad and will be in the bench against Godoy Cruz. RATING: N/A
What do you think? Do you agree with this assessment? Post your comments below.
With 5 fixtures into the Clausura 2007, it is clear that the relegation battle is shaping up to be fiercely contested. True, Belgrano have not performed well by any standards and the team still have time to turn things around. But other relegation candidates are obtaining wins and this adds to the pressure. Both Argentinos Juniors and Godoy Cruz have got 9 points out of 15 and they have certainly leapfrogged other teams in the dreaded relegation table. With Quilmes almost condemned to playing next season in the Nacional B, there is still to be be decided who will join them and which two teams will have to play two qualification legs. Belgrano and Nueva Chicago have been disappointing so far but they have potential to avoid relegation. They need to start racking up the points sooner rather than later though. While other teams -think Colon, Newells and Gimnasia de Jujuy- may be drawn into this relegation battle, they will not have to worry unless Godoy Cruz, Belgrano and Nueva Chicago produce all very good campaigns. In this context, the next two matches are absolutely crucial for Belgrano. We host Godoy Cruz at the Gigante de Alberdi next sunday and then travel to Mataderos to face Nueva Chicago. Much of our chances to stay in the top division of Argentine football will be decided in these two matches.
Gimnasia and Belgrano played a vibrant and attractive match that ended in a somewhat heroic draw for the visitors. After a poor first half where both teams tried to get hold of the ball and the goallies saw very little action, the second half turned out to be a see-saw contest where anyone could have ended the winner. Gimnasia struck first through a well-placed shot by Piatti and this was a huge blow to Belgrano who looked disorientated. Belgrano forwards had been very ineffective until Rios replaced Cervera and the pint-sized forward created all sorts of trouble for the Gimnasia defenders. In the 33 minute, Rios held the ball long enough for Donnet to come racing down the middle to place a left-footed shot into the net. It didn't last long for Belgrano though as Gimnasia took advantage of some sloppy defending and Perguidi headed a cross from the right into the net. Belgrano were down and out and Gimnasia had a few more chances to finish the match but they seemed to aim for the fancy rather than the effective. Perguidi went from heroe to villain when he was unable to score and his pass was intercepted by the Belgrano defenders. The counterattack was commanded by Rios who used lightning pace to race past the defenders and place the ball swiftly into the net in the last minute. Belgrano celebrated the unlikely draw and Gimnasia were left to rue their attacking defficiencies. Belgrano didn't play well but were able to stop a losing streak and gather optimism for the next match against Godoy Cruz.
Belgrano travel to La Plata to face Gimnasia y Esgrima this Sunday. Belgrano are trying to get the first win in the tournament to kickstart their campaign. The threat of relegation is ever so present and the team can't afford losing more points. Gimnasia is usually a tricky customer but they have been very irregular the past months. Gimnasia got a very important away win in their last fixture against Colon while Belgrano were unlucky to go down to Estudiantes. The mood in the Belgrano camp is as good as ever although this may change if Belgrano are beaten by Gimnasia. The time has come for the fans, the players and the coach to carry the team forward and start turning in the points. The match against El Lobo sounds just like the right time.
Belgrano played the best match in the tournament yet they were left wondering what went wrong as Estudiantes took the win. Belgrano controlled the ball, created the best chances, always showed positive attitude but Estudiantes made the most of their chances. In the 38 minute, Piatti stunned the crowd when he placed the ball past Montoya against the run of play. Belgrano took the blow and they looked puzzled heading into the dressing room. Belgrano went all guns blazing in the second half and finally scored the first goal in this tournament when Matias Oyola, the shortest player on the pitch, headed the ball into the net. From that moment, both teams had chances although it was Belgrano who seemed to have a more positive approach. When the match was dying, Pavone made a cross that somehow found its way into the Belgrano goal. It was lucky for Estudiantes and devastating for Belgrano. It was obviously disheartening for the fans who nevertheless cheered the team for their game and effort. Belgrano are playing better each game and the players are all gelling together. It's just a matter of time to get the first win.
In a tightly contested match, El Pirata and El Diablo showed little ambition and ended in a goalless draw. Belgrano started well and soon created some half-chances but were unable to break Ustari's resistance. Independiente also saw a few chances go begging due to efficient action by Montoya. The first half ended 0-0 although it was highly emotive. The second half saw Belgrano's best scoring chance and it was woefully misjudged by Rios. Little else came after that and both teams seemed to settle for the draw. In the end, it was the result that best reflected the poor display by both teams. Undoubtedly, the presence of Marcelo "Chelo" Delgado in his official debut was the highlight for Belgrano and their fans. He played the whole match and looked the part, although he is capable of much more. On the bright side, Belgrano got a point against a difficult opposition, and it counts towards the main objective this season, to avoid relegation. There were some positive signs of associated team-play and good touches but much improvement is still needed in order to achieve a safe mid-table position.
Belgrano got off to a bad start of the season by losing to Rosario Central by one goal to nil. Both teams looked rusty and the level of play was poor. Central started strong but it was soon clear that they lacked precision and team play. Belgrano were pretty much holding up and waiting. As a result of this, both teams created very few chances during the first half. The second half saw Belgrano start brightly controlling the ball and trying to involve the midfielders into the attack. Rios wasted the best chance after a fine play and there was little else from Belgrano. Rosario Central hustled their way into the Belgrano's half but were short of ideas. Only a mistake or a set play could alter the previsible draw. And it was a bit of both since Rosario Central got the lead after a well placed corner kick and a poor clearance by Peppino that left Ledesma time and space to head the ball into the net. After this, the match became even duller and Belgrano's desperate attempt to snatch a leveller all but failed. Despite the defeat, there were a few positives to take into the future as Belgrano tried to control and pass the ball, play wide open by the wings with Oyola and Donnet and never looked inferior to their much more experienced opponents.
