Giunta deal is off

It is really hard to believe but things like these seem to only happen at our club. After announcing to the press that he was the new Belgrano coach, Giunta went back on his word (and a pre-contract) and told the Belgrano chiefs that he wouldn't be able to sign. He mentioned familiar problems as the reason. Yet, nobody seems to understand why didn't he thought of those problems when he was agreeing the deal. Needless to say, the directors at Belgrano were furious.

The whole situation was badly handled since neither Giunta nor the Belgrano board should have announced the news prior to the signing of the contract. We echo the disappointment of both the club and the fans who were eager to have Giunta working with our team. Belgrano are now back to where they started and they better sign a coach soon because we need to plan ahead.

Giunta unveiled as new coach

Giunta appointed as new coach

After accepting the resignation of Mario Gomez, Belgrano didn't waste any time in choosing the new man for the job. Surprisingly, the board decided to break their selection policy from recent years and reached a quick a decision that saw Giunta become the new coach. In appointing Giunta, the board has taken a bit of a gamble. The former Boca midfielder has significant experience coaching small clubs in the lower divisions but has never taken on a challenge this big. He knows that there is only one goal here, and that is to promote. A rustic and perennial motivator as a player, Giunta has shown that he is able to infuse his players with the motivation and desire needed to achieve great goals. We hope that he will be able to bring this to our club.

Speaking to the media yesterday, he stressed his commitment to the Belgrano cause and suggested he may yet need some of the players that were being considered for release by the board. He also hinted at the possibility of new signings and confirmed that they would choose a quiet and isolated place for the preseason.

BREAKING NEWS: Belgrano coach resigns

In a somewhat unexpected turn of events, Mario Gomez offered his resignation as coach of the first team this evening. It is not confirmed whether it has been accepted by the chairman. Although Gomez was never a popular figure with the majority of the fans, he managed to keep the team with a promotion chance until the last minute. If the resignation is accepted, Belgrano will have to to start looking for a new head coach as soon as possible.

There were also rumours that Belgrano's upcoming European tour is likely to be canceled due to this situation. It would be a real shame if this were to happen -not least because many European-based Belgrano fans were eagerly expectant about this possibility-, but it would probably be the right step since the new coach will need to bring in new players and offload some of the current players.

Racing Club 1 - Belgrano 0

Belgrano deserved better (Photo source: LaVoz)

Heartbreak. When you know you were so close and it just vanished. Because Belgrano played with heart, passion and discipline and dominated Racing Club during large passages of the game. Belgrano had no less than four clear goal chances and they pushed Racing to their limit but it just wasn't going to happen today. There was an agonizing moment when Bustos tumbled down and fell with the goal at his mercy. It was painfully close and yet, from that moment, you knew Racing would stay. In the second half, the Avellaneda-based team put a brave resistance and held off Belgrano spirited effort. Our boys pushed until the end but to no avail. They deserved a goal that never arrived. Belgrano will play another season in the second division but we believe every Belgrano fan will be proud of the courageous, never-say-die attitude shown by the boys. It was a real shame that Mati Suarez, the greatest talent this club has produced in the last 20 years, could not end his Belgrano career with a flourish. More to follow...

Goals: Moralez (RC)
Attendance: 50000

Promotion - Second Leg

Racing Club - Belgrano

Stadium: Cilindro de Avellaneda
Sunday, 29 June 2008, 15:10
Referee: Sergio Pezzotta
Odds: not available
Previous: Belgrano 1 - Racing Club 1
Key Players: Sava (RC), Gigli (B)
Recent History: Belgrano have only won once at Racing's ground
Prediction: Racing Club 1 - Belgrano 2

Belgrano 1 - Racing 1

Suarez was a constant threat (Photo source: LMCBA)

Belgrano will be happy after snatching an unlikely draw against a superior Racing Club outfit. Belgrano were only able to match Racing Club in the opening 10 minutes where the midfield was overcrowded and tempers were flying. But it was after a crucial moment that everything went wrong for the home team. Suarez, playing one of his best matches, raced into the box only to be brought down by the keeper. It was a penalty and a red card but the referee thought otherwise and booked Suarez for diving. Belgrano were outraged and that would prove costly for them. After that, Racing Club monopolised possession and created several chances. The opening goal arrived courtesy of Sava who kept his cool and beat Olave after a great assist by Bonet. Racing deserved their lead and they could have extended it in the following 20 minutes. Belgrano cleared twice on the line in the same play, Shaffer hit the post with Olave beaten and Sanchez forced the keeper to a great save. Only luck and the visitors' unability to make good on their chances were keeping Belgrano in the game. Gigli took to the pitch at the start of the second half. Belgrano now had Suarez and Gigli upfront and it made a difference. Although they didn't have the ball, they looked more threatening while Racing lost their momentum. Still, Belgrano didn't create much. Only a few isolated chances that were managed by their keeper. And an isolated play was all it took for Belgrano to get even. Garcia chased a ball that the Racing defender smashed against his body, the bounce going to Gigli who slotted the ball past Martinez Gullota. It was an amazing feeling and the stadium came alive. Only 15 minutes remaining and there was only time for two missed Racing chances and a missed header from Gigli. Racing felt like they had done enough to get the three points but Belgrano took one of their few chances and they are very much live in this promotion tie.

Goals: Sava (RC), Gigli (B)
Attendance: 38000

Promotion - First Leg

Belgrano - Racing Club

Stadium: Olimpico de Cordoba
Wednesday, 25 June 2008, 21:10
Referee: Gustavo Bassi
Odds: not available
Previous: Racing Club 3 - Belgrano 3
Key Players: Moralez (RC), Suarez (B)
Recent History: In the last 8, Racing won 3, Belgrano 1 and drew 4 times
Prediction: 1-1

Belgrano - Racing: It's ON!

It's confirmed: Belgrano will play home and away legs against Racing Club for a place in next year's Premier Division. Racing Club had a very poor season and the end result is that they have to validate their spot against a team with a rich history in promotion play-offs, that's us. Belgrano have only lost one out of four ties in the last 15 years.

Racing Club are one of traditional big-five from Buenos Aires and they are going through one of the worst patches in their history. In addition to the threat of relegation, the management is disjointed and fans are calling out for a return to elections and member participation. They are, however, a difficult team to play against. They have good players and their home support has carried the team many times.

Everything is ready then for the first match which will see Belgrano host Racing Club at the Olimpico de Cordoba next Wednesday at 21.10 local time.