Super Scocco Nets Two

Had a friend come over an hour before Newell's Old Boys and Arsenal de Sarandí and we spent a few hours watching cheap horror films in honor of Halloween. Needless to say, that meant I did not see La Lepra take a 2-1 victory from the visitors off a stunning brace from Ignacio Scocco to remain in first place. It also gives Newell's super scorer eight goals on the season putting him on top of the individual scorer race.

As I write Vélez Sarsfield have taken over second place from Racing Club as they are playing each other. Vélez are up 1-0 at home with about twenty minutes to go.

Here's to Racing coming up with the tie. That would pad Newell's lead.

Getting back to Newell's, we had a player take a red card. One source I have lists Gabriel Heinze facing a suspension, while another says it was Victor Figueroa. Checked a third source and looks like it was Heinze. May just have been a second yellow, anyone able to fill me in, please do.

Up next Newell's travel to Mendoza to face Godoy Cruz.

Past Three Matches, And The Final Two

I am not going to use my health issues to excuse my not doing much writing of late... it is more my worrying about my health that has kept me from doing so. Rest assured that I am well enough, just some issues with hemorrhoids... and we will leave it at that.

During my absence (writing, not watching and following) Newell's Old Boys lost two games in a row to Tigre 3-1 and then to San Lorenzo 3-2, both away games against tough opponents. San Lorenzo, tough? you ask. They may be in the bottom half of the table, they may be in the Relegation Playoff zone, but they are still San Lorenzo.

Last weekend, at home, Newell's beat Independiente 2-1, a win that put La Lepra into third place, only two points off the 33 point pace set by Boca Juniors, and a point from Tigre and Arsenal who are tied for second. With two matches to go even Vélez Sarsfield and All Boys are still in the race, at least mathematically, as they are only three points from the top.

That said, let us look at the teams the contenders will be facing in the final two matches, and my predictions:

Boca Jrs: 33 Points
Home - Arsenal (32) - Boca win
Away - All Boys (30) - Draw

Tigre: 32 Points
Away - Vélez Sarsfield (30) - Vélez win
Home - Independiente (18) - Tigre win

Arsenal: 32 Points
Away - Boca (33) - Boca win
Home - Belgrano (Córdoba) (21) - Arsenal win

Newell's: 31 Points
Away - San Martín (San Juan) (19) - Newell's win
Home - Lanús (24) - Newell's win

Vélez Sarsfield: 30 Points
Home - Tigre (32) - Vélez win
Away - Racing Club (19) - Vélez win

All Boys: 30 Points
Away - Argentinos Jrs (23) - Draw
Home - Boca (33) - Draw

If the combined points of opponents mean anything, Newell's would seem to have an advantage as their opponents have only managed 43 points between them. Boca has it worst off (62), followed by All Boys (56) Arsenal (54), Vélez (51), Tigre (48). If things go according to my predictions Boca end the season with 37 points, as do Newell's. Vélez in second with 36, Tigre and Arsenal with 35, and All Boys finish with 32. This, of course, would result in a playoff for the championship between Boca and Newell's.

Will this happen? Only time will tell.

Better Effort

Coming from behind to snatch a 2-2 draw at home, Newell's Old Boys showed signs that they may just yet come out of the tail spin they have been on.

For much of the first half Arsenal de Sarandí were not much of a problem, but La Lepra proved yet again that costly defensive errors can be deadly. The first Arsenal goal came when Newell's give up a free kick just outside of the penalty area. Luciano Leguizamón placed a perfect shot into the upper left corner. No faulting the wall, or Peratta, but the fouls in front of goal need to be avoided. The second was scored by Mauro Obolo off a perfectly placed cross... but one that the defense should have done better getting back to cover. Both goals came in the first half, no more than three minutes apart, shortly after coach Robert Sensini gave instructions from the sidelines for Luciano Vella to move up from defense to midfield, switching from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 formation on the fly. Senseless.

Falling behind 2-0, Newell's could well have collapsed at that point, much as they had done the last two games. Instead, they came out fighting in the second half, and it paid off quickly as Juan Manuel Cobelli, making his first start, proved yet again that he is quite capable of being a true 9. Arsenal keeper Cristian Campestrini, who did well to keep Newell's off the score sheet in the first half, only managed to block a shot from Nestor Camacho, and Cobelli pounced on the rebound to tighten the gap. Not long after that Sergio Almirón scored Newell's second goal, and that is how the match ended.

Mauricio Sperdutti was sent off for a second yellow with a little over 20 minutes to go, and will miss the next match. Hopefully this is not the start of a trend, as both Claudio Bieler and Rolando Schiavi missed this match due to red cards last week.


Up next a trip to El Fortín to face title contenders Vélez Sarsfield.

Looking At Newell's Old Boys Copa Libertadores Chances

For the moment, Newell's Old Boys are in a position to once again qualify for the 2011 edition of the Copa Libertadores with 52 points earned over 33 matches. But in truth the only certainties are Estudiantes, 70 points over the Clausura and Apertura, and Argentinos Jrs, as Clausura 2010 Champions.

Estudiantes and Vélez Sársfield are the two most likely teams to win the Apertura, but Newell's Libertadores qualification will not change as both teams will most likely qualify regardless of whether or not they win the title. However, should Arsenal, five points behind the joint leaders, manage to make a surge and claim the Apertura title Newell's could well be dropped out of the running for the tournament.

Other teams La Lepra have  to be worried about are Banfield, who are a mere point behind them; Racing Club, a point behind Banfield; and even Lanús, who sit a further three points back. Independiente are six points from the current final qualifying spot, but considering their form in the domestic competition, and the fact that they have made it to the Copa Sudamericana Semifinals (where they will face LDU Quito, the team that knocked out Newell's in the Quarterfinals) means their focus will be else where.

Considering Newell's final five matches:

15		All Boys	Away
16		Boca Juniors	Home
17		San Lorenzo	Away
18		Olimpo BB	Home
19		Colón de Santa Fe	Away

All Boys have been playing well, and having to face them on their home turf is not going to be easy. That said, after the disappointment of being eliminated from the Copa Sudamericana, and last weekend's dramatic loss to Racing, Saturday's match against the team that dropped Bentral to the B could be pivotal.If we win, it could be clear sailing into the Copa Libertadores. A loss, or even a draw could make things very difficult.

Boca, however, have been playing poorly of late, and being that the match will be at home should make it a near guaranteed three points. San Lorenzo and Colón away will be difficult, but even a point from each match should be enough. Olimpo? Do I even have to say?

For a look at the qualification tables, check out: Wikipedia's entry on Argentina's Primera A 2010-11 season.

Clean Sheets All Around - Thank You Peratta, Damn You Campestrini, And Bless The Woodwork

Newell's Old Boys faced Arsenal de Sarandí at Estadio Julio H. Grondona. By the sounds of the match one would have been hard pressed to guess that this was an away game for La Lepra. Arsenal haven't seen many fans at their games for some time now, if they ever did, and it makes one wonder if naming the stadium after current AFA president Grondona has anything to do with it.

This was Newell's fourth match in eleven days, and as such Roberto Sensini decided to let a few key players get some rest. As I didn't get around to a preview of this game, here's how the starting eleven lined up for La Lepra:

Sebastián Peratta
Alexis Machuca, Agustín Alayes, Rolando Schiavi, Gabriel Cíchero
Franco Dolci, Diego Mateo, Leonel Vangioni
Mauricio Sperdutti
Sebastián Taborda, Luis Rodríguez

Vangioni getting his first start of the season after a long injury was good to see, but he's a bit of a ways from being up to form. Sperdutti did what he could in the playmaker role, but didn't have much to work with considering Taborda has yet to do anything that resembles a threat on goal. Rodriguez had a couple of chances, but couldn't come up with anything that gave Arsenal keeper Cristian Campestrini much trouble.

Looking for a player of the match... it's a tough call, I'm giving it to Newell's keeper Peratta, who made a number of critical stops, though I almost might as well give it to the woodwork behind him as El Arse rang shots off it twice in the first half. In the end though, the clean sheet gets credited to the man, not the framework, so Seba, thanks to you Newell's earned an important point on the road in this scoreless draw. Thank you, Flaco, perhaps next time out the team in front of you can score a goal or two.

On a side note, Roberto Sensini received a red card after the half time break as he kept the team in the locker room a bit too long. Amazingly the team seemed to play better with out him on the sidelines. Just like a player who receives a red card, the Senseless One will now have to sit out the next match.

Speaking of which, it's Peratta's former club Vélez Sarsfield, who will end this weekend on top of the league, one point ahead of Estudiantes (who still have a match to make up.) Newell's currently sit in sixth, but River Plate has yet to play. Considering their match is at home, against Quilmes, I expect La Lepra with have to settle for seventh place for now. Still, with eight games played Newell's are only four points from the top. Not a bad place to be, all things considered.

Aftermath Of Newell's 2-0 Victory Over Arsenal

24 hours later...

Yes, I did post a brief note on the match last night, but due to time constrictions it was just that... brief.

With the win last night Newell's are on a five match unbeaten run, and two wins in a row, with two wins in a row. With the three points they have assured themselves a position in the 2010 Copa Sudamericana, but that's no reason to take their collective foot off the gas pedal.

With the way one Mauricio Sperdutti has been playing in the last few games, I have to wonder why he wasn't a regular starter all along. Seriously, the man has nearly looked as though he's been possessed by the spirit of Leo Messi (hey, if others can compare Messi to Maradona...)

Peratta again had little to do, in fact the last two matches have almost been a vacation for him. Schiavi continues to play more like a player in his prime than a 37 year old veteran, Fórmica seems to have finally played himself back into form, Boghossian may not have scored last night, but he still did plenty to help the team win. I could go on, player by player, and everything right now seems to be in the right place... I just wish things could have started picking up a little earlier in the Clausura.

For Arsenal, however, the news continues to be bad. They extended their run of games with out a win to six, causing their coach, Jorge Burruchaga, to resign. In some ways I almost feel sorry for Arse, as it wasn't that long ago (2007) that they won the Copa Sudamericana. Assistant coach Carlos Ruiz will take over for the rest of the season.

Up next for Newell's it's back to Rosario as Gimnasia La Plata come to town.

Defenders Score, Attackers Defend

As Ray Davies once said, it's a mixed up, muttled up world...

Agustín Alayes in the 12th, and Rolando Schiavi 30th with the goals in Newell's Old Boys 2-0 road victory over Arsenal de Sarandí. Both goals were scored from headers.

Not many fans showed up for Arsenal. More tomorrow, off to bed.

Copa Sudamerica Dreams / Arsenal Preview

First off let me ask why, oh why must Newell's Old Boys next match be scheduled for Thursday? I wouldn't complain, save for the fact that I've been getting together with friends every Thursday night (except holidays, and such) for nearly thirty years straight... and as I've been hosting these nights for the past three it's not like I can gracefully bow out.

Still, I should be able to get the live feed of the match going... I might even persuade myself to move the computer to the room where we will be gathering, so it's not like I won't be able to see any of the game.

I'm really hoping that the 5-0 win over Colón de Santa Fe gives Newell's some momentum going into the final three games of the Clausura. Two of those matches will be on the road, starting with Thursday's match against Arsenal de Sarandí. La Lepra have not done well on the road so far this year, having won only one match out of seven away from the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa. After Arsenal, it's back home to face Gimnasia LP, and then back to Buenos Aires for a showdown with San Lorenzo.

Sticking to one match at a time (I'll get back to Gimnasia & Los Cuervos before we play them, I promise,) Arsenal should be an easy win. They have given up the most goals of the Clausura (28 - tied with Boca Jrs,) and are second worst on goal difference (-11 to Atlético Tucumán's -12.) They also have a worst record at home (2 wins 1 draw and 4 loses) than they do on the road (3 wins, 2 draws, 4 loses.)

Right now, after sixteen games, Newell's find themselves in 6th place, one point behind 5th place Lanús, the only team that the team realistically has a chance of overtaking. 5th place has always been my measuring stick for Newell's having a great championship, but, perhaps more than that, there is still the matter of earning a spot in the up coming Copa Sudamerica, and the team's placement in that tournament.

Having taken the time to look up what it takes to qualify (the top six teams over the course of the entire season - Apertura and Clausura combined - qualify from Argentina,) as well as those standing, I can say that Newell's could conceivably qualify in the first slot. Let's go ahead and look at where the remaining team that could qualify are:

65 pts Independiente
64 pts Estudiantes LP
64 pts Banfield
64 pts Argentinos Jrs.
63 pts Newell's
57 pts Vélez Sarsfield
56 pts Lanús
54 pts Colón (Sta.Fe)

I'd really love to look at this another way as well, what if the Primera División de Argentina was not split into two championships? Right now, if that were the case, there would be five teams that would still be in the title race with only three matches to go. But it is a two championship campaign, so let's get back to the Sudamericana. Newell's are in fifth place, but only two points behind qualifying leaders Independiente. Should Newell's, as is my wish, win all three of their remaining matches they stand a good chance of jumping over any of the teams above them.

Of course, I suppose I should look at the other possibility, and that would be that Newell's drops out of the qualifying positions. To avoid that, however, should be easy. Win one match, or tie all three, and the lowest the team would drop to would be the sixth, and final, qualifying spot.

And, finally, here's the anticipated starting 11 for Thursday's match against Arsenal:

Sebastián Peratta
Agustín Alayes, Rolando Schiavi, Juan Manuel Insaurralde
Mauricio Sperduti, Lucas Bernardi, Diego Mateo, Leonel Vangioni
Mauro Formica
Jorge Achucarro, Joaquín Boghossian

Is That Smoke I Smell, Or Is Something Rotten In The AFA?

In the wake of Newell's Old Boys loss to Arsenal, Guillermo Lorente has had a few choice words for the state of officiating in Argentine Futbol. Seeing his team lose while referee Pablo Lunati calls 10 fouls against Newell's, and only 2 against the opposition is enough to cause quite the stir amongst La Lepra fans, but even the team's president took exception, and singled out the official, while questioning the quality of arbitration offered by the officials as a whole.

Adding to that is the news that Lunati will be handling Banfield's match against Tigre on Wednesday. I, for one, will be taking a close look at this game. If the fouls are as out of balance as they were for the Newell's/Arsenal match then we'll have more than good reason to complain.

Newell's match at Gimnasia La Plata, also set for Wednesday, sees Carlos Maglio in the role of referee. This is far from encouraging, as he was the referee who called La Lepra's match against Estudiantes. While Newell's won, he called 18 fouls against the team, as compared to only 9 called against the Estudiantes, also from La Plata.

Now many a Lepra has stated that they have felt that the AFA itself has been trying to keep Newell's from claiming the title. All this only adds fuel to that fire, and I have to wonder how long it go on before FIFA takes note, and decides to stick their nose into this bit of nasty business.

Absolute Lunacy

When it was announced that Pablo Lunati was going to handle Newell's match against Arsenal de Sarandí, I was happy that we were getting an official that had not worked a Newell's game this Apertura... now I know better. I'm not blaming the official for Newell's 2-1 loss, that was down to the team not playing well. We've gotten away with not playing well in other games this season, won games that we shouldn't have, but this one simply wasn't to be. Formica did not play well over all, despite setting up Boghossian's goal, and was yet another Newell's player to spend much of a match with a bandage wrapped around his head this season. Franco Dolci is no Hugo Barrientos, let alone a Diego Mateo. Boghossian, as big as he is, as much as he played his heart out in this match is not a player who can carry a team on his shoulders, though he certainly tried his best.



What I am saying is that Lunati may well be a worst official than Collado. When a referee ends up arguing with an injuried player on the sidelines that isn't even involved in the game, you know something isn't right with the world (anyone know who it was? I wasn't able to from what I was getting from the announcers.) When he had finished with the sidelined player, things broke down on the field, with several gathered players from both sides jabbering at each other. Not only that, but I'd have to say that if this game is any indication, Lunati is bias against Newell's. How else can one explain 10 fouls called against La Lepra, while only 2 were call on Arsenal?

No, in the end it was Newell's who lost the match. Not even a canine invasion could provide enough luck this time around, though perhaps that only works when the dog that makes her way onto the pitch is La Negra. All I know is that Banfield won it's match against Huracán 1-0, and Newell's is again two points behind the leaders, only now there are only two matches left.

Still, miracles do happen. Banfield could lose again, and if Newell's can win their next two matches we still have a shot at the title. It is, after all, easier to be the one chasing the leader than it is to be the leader... or at least that's the theory. For now we hope, we pray, we worry. No matter how this plays out, we must remember that this was far from what we expected to be going through at this stage when the season started.

Up next Newell's visit Gimnasia La Plata, which should be winnable. Meanwhile Banfield host Tigre, which shouldn't even be a contest... but I didn't expect Racing to beat them, so we'll see.

Dale La Lepra!

Best Player Of The Apertura / Arsenal Preview

Alright, a few days ago I set up a poll to determine who, in your opinion, has been Newell's Old Boys' best player during the Apertura 2009. All ready there are a few votes cast, but nothing is set in stone, as you do have the ability to change your vote before the poll closes. That being the case, a look at the candidates is in order:

Joaquín Boghossian is our top scorer, with 9 goals in 15 games played. He's the Coloso de el Coloso, on top of the world, and deserves a lot of credit for the team doing so well. Now, I'm the one who questioned his talent early on, saying he was only good with his head, but game after game he's improved to the point where some may wonder why I even bothered with the poll... but let's not forget the men who have feed our goal scoring giant.

Jorge Achucarro works harder than perhaps any other player on the field, every minute of every game. He may have only scored 3 goals, but he sets up chances - he's been credited with 4 assists, and has given many a defense plenty of problems.

Christian Sánchez Prette has played well, but missed too many games due to suspensions - the five match suspensions for his second red card was a farce, but still... His stats don't do him justice, either. In 11 games played, he has 1 goal and 2 assists. Still, he is a good creative playmaker, and has to be considered.

Mauro Fórmica 3 goals and 2 assists so far, and has played in every match, though many of those were as a second half sub. I'd say he's at least as good as Sánchez Prette as a playmaker, and the fact that he's a better goal scorer puts him just a step ahead of his competition for the 10 slot on the team. During the last Clausura he was arguably the best player for Newell's, but this time round?

Rolando Schiavi has missed a 6 games due to injury and National team duty with Argentina, but he's still the inspirational team captain. The ex-Boca Juniors player has earned the love of many a Lepra, and deserves every bit of it. When he hasn't played, the defense just isn't quite the same. Boca have made noises of wanting him back, but it's been Rolando himself who has laughed them off.

Juan Insaurralde has been amazing in defense, when Schiavi couldn't play, he's held the defense together. When the both play, the defense is rock solid. Early on was the teams leading goal scorer. Only Boghossian's emergence has changed that. Could a call up to the Albicelestes be in this Juan's future?

Sebastián Peratta has played 15 matches so far during the Apertura. When the defense has let a shot get through, he's often been there to make the stop. He's allowed 11 goals, while being credited with 51 saves. Many of those saves have been critical, just as Boghossian's goal have lifted the team to it's current status, so have the saves from "El Flaco."

So, there are your candidates, cast your votes, feel free to change your mind, but mind the countdown. In the meantime, let's take a look at this weekend's match against Arsenal de Sarandí.

Hugo Barrientos is out of the match due to his suspension, damn Collado. Mateo's still out injured. That leaves the question, who plays along side Bernardi in Sensini's double defensive midfield mix? Word is that Franco Dolci has the inside track, with Juan Quiroga the other candidate for the job. Can't say that either one fills me with confidence, but against Arsenal, at home, there should be much to worry about.

Here's Newell's expected line up:

Sebastián Peratta
Alexis Machuca, Rolando Schiavi, Juan Insaurralde
Nahuel Roselli, Lucas Bernardi, Franco Dolci or Juan Quiroga, Leonel Vangioni
Mauro Fórmica
Jorge Achucarro, Joaquín Boghossian.


Cristian Sánchez Prette has one more game left to his suspension, if I'm not mistaken. Thing is, once it's over he may find it hard to dislodge Fórmica, after all, the team has been doing well with Mauro in the line up, just as Mauro had a hard time getting playing time before Sánchez Prette was suspended.

Arsenal also have a player suspended, forward Franco Jara.

Cristian Campestrini
Cristian Alvarez, Cristian Tula, Aníbal Matellán, Javier Yacuzzi
Sergio Sena, Facundo Pérez Castro, Claudio Mosca, Diego Galván
Alexander Medina, Jonathan López or Mauro Matos

Every Dog Has His Day

There were thoughts before the match that Sensini might return to a four man back line, due to the absence of Schiavi, as the defender sat out this home game against Atlético Tucumán because of the red card he received at the end of last week's match. Instead we had three in the back, as Newell's have been playing, but Insaurralde was the only regular starter out of the three defenders. The other two were Nacho Fideleff, and Nahuel Roselli.

This did nothing to aid Atlético, as all three defenders played will. The few chances that did get by them Peratta handled in a fashion that I'm becoming accustom to seeing out of him. If he had better hands (there were a couple of stops that he made that I'd have liked to have seen him catch the ball cleanly) I'd be making a case for him to be called up to the Albicelestes.

While it's hard to pick out one outstanding player in this game, I will single out the individual whom I think had the worst. Antonio Joaquín Boghossian, what were you doing out there most of this game? No, you didn't play badly, you did put in the cross to Insaurralde for the first goal. But other than that, you passing was weak, for all your height you didn't win any important headers... Still, he didn't cost us anything, so I can't be too upset.

But the second goal wins my point, I think. Sánchez Prette put a nice pass up to Achucarro. There were two defenders back, and Boghossian was to Achucarro's left. Achucarro beat one defender, and the second went to challenge him, leaving Bogossian wide open, he would have only had to beat Lucas Ischuk in Atlético's net. Not a chance, Achucarro took the shot, and it was Newell's 2-0.

The third goal was my favorite of the Apertura so far. Mauro Fórmica came on with around ten minutes to go, and I wasn't happy about that. In my book, he's got to be starting, though I have to admit that Sánchez Prette has been doing a good job as our playmaker. Coming in for Sánchez Prette, I didn't think Mauro would have enough time to do much of anything in this game. Boy, was I wrong! Though he muffed a free kick, he was playing more like the Fórmica we know and love, weaving through defenders, laying off passes to teammates. And then, in the 88th minute, Cristian Nuñez made a break into the penalty area from the left, found Mauro coming up the middle, and Newell's were up 3-0.

So, now it's time to make a new plea to Sensini. Get Fórmica back into the starting line up. Put him up front in place of Boghossian, or in the playmaker role in place of Sánchez Prette, or even on the right side of midfield, where Dolci has played well, but not outstanding, but do it, please, for the fans, and for the team.

There was also a brief (30 second) delay in the game as the pitch was invaded... by a black dog that ran on the field during the 15th minute. If having canines run onto the field produces this kind of results, can we have one such delay every game?

In other good news, Arsenal took care of Central 1-0, so the Sinas have lost two in a row now. Could a Lepra have a better day?

Fernando Gamboa At Chacarita Juniors

I just found this out earlier today, and it deserves it's own post. After five straight losses to start the Apertura, Chacarita went looking for a new coach. Gamboa was signed, and, in their sixth game, produced a 1-0 win over Arsenal de Sarandí.

I could say quite a few things about this, but I'll bite my tongue on them, and merely wish Gamboa well in his pursuit of his career in coaching... and to continue to hope that some day he will come back to Newell's.

Storming The Fort

Well, we're back to the Clausura this weekend, and tomorrow Newell's will be away to second place Vélez Sarsfield. For the moment, there's only one question as to who will play for La Lepra, and that is on the right side of midfield, where Pillud is Sensini's prefered man. An minor injury to his right leg has put a question mark next to his name, so we may see Sperduti instead.

Personally, while I have no ill will towards Pillud, I'd rather see Maurico get the nod, but we'll have to wait and see what happens. Here's Newell's expected line-up:

Sebastián Peratta; Nicolás Spolli, Rolando Schiavi, Juan Insaurralde; Ivan Pillud o Mauricio Sperduti, Lucas Bernardi, Hernán Bernardello, Leonel Vangioni; Mauro Formica; Alejandro Da Silva and Leandro Armani.

I'm really hoping Newell's hand Vélez a surprise, and put up a road block onto their title hope. I'm also hoping for Arsenal to take out the leaders Lanús, as I'm not hot about them winning the Campeonato, either.

That leave me routing for third place Huracán, which I normally wouldn't be doing when they're facing San Lorenzo. This is, of course, one of the things that makes following any sport so interesting... teams you might normally like to see win end up where you want them to lose all because of how the season is taking shape.

And, least I forget, here's the goals from the USA/Honduras game:

The Curse Of The Expected Win

OK, I've been putting off writing about Friday night's match against Arsenal de Sarandí. Going into the game, there was no reason to expect anything less than a win. Arsenal had not been playing well during the Clausura, and went into the game at the bottom of the table, tied with Argentinos Jrs with only 13 points. Newell's were coming off a big win against San Lorenzo away, this game was at home, and both Formica and Bernardello were returning to the lineup for La Lepra.

Rather than win, of course, what we got was another lesson in frustration, plenty of near misses, and Arsenal taking the lead in 12th minute when Sergio Sena blocked a clearance attempt by Insaurralde, aided by Peratta coming off his line when he didn't have a chance of beating Sena to the ball.

Fortunately, Formica hit a piece of magic during the 16th and tied the game, salvaging a point.

From what I understand, there is still some chance of Newell's qualifying for the Sudamericana 2009, though other results from this weekend could put an end to those hopes... I can't be sure. I really should have set that link to the Copa qualification tables someone posted to a forum into my browser favorites. If anyone has a link to such, please feel free to share.

I was really hoping to have a combine post for two victories. Newell's draw with Arsenal has completely eradicated the afterglow of Barcelona winning the Champion's League final over Manchester United. Still, it's worth mentioning, as Barca became the first Spainish team to win a Treble, and Messi scored his first goal ever against a team from England.

Arsenal Preview In Brief

Newell's Old Boys' Hernán Bernardello and Mauro Formica are reported to be rejoining the lineup for tonight's match against Arsenal. Here's the anticipated formation according to espndeportes:

Sebastián Peratta; Nicolás Spolli, Rolando Schiavi y Juan Manuel Insaurralde; Iván Pillud, Bernardello, Lucas Bernardi y Leonel Vangioni; Formica; Alejandro Da Silva y Leandro Armani.

Considering how well Mauricio Sperduti played against San Lorenzo, I'd rather have him in there, either replacing Pillud, or move Formica into up front and take Da Silva out.

Newell's vs Arsenal 11-21-08 highlights

Here's a video of the highlights from last weekend's game between Newell's and Arsenal. It includes footage of both of Spolli's yellow cards, and frankly I have to say that, while they were fouls, I do not think either were deserving of such sever punishment.

There's also bits of some interviews at the end. I do not know off hand who the Newell's player that they interview is, but they ask him why Newell's lost. He simply and honestly replies "because we did not play well."

Still, even with out the win, it is not the end of the world. Hopefully Gamboa will be allow to continue the work that he's started, and the players dressing in rojinegro will continue on to form the nuclious of a bright future for Los Leprosos.

That leads me to my biggest fear... with the election coming up in December all kinds of odd things can happen. And then there is the January transfers. As is the way with Futbol Argentino we can expect a few faces to move out, and others to enter the picture.

Lopez could end up retaining his position and punish all those who opposed him by disassembling what is a very good Newell's team. With all the quality players being fielded at the moment it could bring a lot of money... which would no doubt go the same why the fee for Cardozo went.

On a similar vein, if he's replaced, the new man in charge could decide to rid the team of players simply because they were brought in during Eduardo's reign. If that's the case, I'd expect Gamboa could be stripped of his job.

Just thinking about it has me wanting to pull out my hair... and I don't have enough of it left to be doing that kind of thing. Instead, this will be the last I post of such speculation until after the election takes place.

Say Goodbye To Newell's Title Chase, Can They At Least Stay In The Top 5?

Newell's went on the road needing a win against Arsenal de Sarandí, but could only manage another tie. This was another game that I didn't get to see, never even had a chance, damn the time difference. I was still at work when the final whistle blew.

As expected, Fabbiani and Insaurralde sat this game out, which I'm sure didn't help the cause. Spolli, playing as a starter for the first time sense his injury, did himself no favors when the referee saw fit to show him a red card in the 65th minute... he already had a yellow, so it may not have been a direct red. Either way, once you've got one card drawn on you, it's time to take some care out there. This insures, however, that Insaurralde will be back in the lineup for the next round.

Pablo Aguilar opened the scoring to put Newell's in the lead in the first half. Arsenal's goal came around 5 minutes after Spolli was ejected... have to wonder how things would have turned out if he would have been able to play the full game.

Now we fans, the players, and Gamboa must remember, there are still three more games to play. They may only be for pride at this point, but remaining, or regaining a top 5 position is still a goal to be met, and hopefully they can build on that during the Clausura.