Newell\'s Old Boys

Video of el Banderazo

Jeremy — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:37:03 +0000

Just imagine what game day will be like. This is just fans coming out to support the team in the traditional Banderazo that happens a few days before every clásico. Only this time, more than 25,000 fans showed up.

That beat the old record by about 7,000. There were so many that they had to open up the upper deck to accommodate them all. I’m not sure who all was there on the field with the players, but there is always a dozen or so (or more) ex-players present who have scored on la SINA in the past.

The new guys on the team were a bit amazed, taking pictures and filming. The old guys just jumped right in and sang along.

Of Chacarita and Scoundrels

Jeremy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:38:31 +0000

There isn’t much to say about Friday’s win at Chacarita. Newell’s played better, but needed an own goal to escape with a 0-1 win. So no need for a video clip.

Schiavi is still hoping to go this weekend against Central, but I’m not holding my breath. He says he is ready, no matter what, and doesn’t want to miss the clásico.

I’ve got mixed feelings on this one. One the one hand, he is the captain. He organizes the defense, a defense that has only conceded 9 goals all season. Only one team has allowed fewer, Banfield, dang the bad luck.

But, if they lose him for the remaining games it could prove to be a bigger loss. Newell’s may still be able to win the title if they drop points here, but without Schiavi down the stretch it will be really hard.

Then again, this is Sin Aliento. I almost (almost) don’t care about the title when you are talking about nuestros hijos. Spanking them is like beating no other, not even Boca in La Bombonera.

I’m really dreaming of a beat Central and Banfield lose kind of scenario so the las SINA see us go alone on top by beating them. Just to add a little salt.

Now that Achucarro is back from national team duty, Sánchez Prette will have to sit out the match as part of his suspension and Mauro was dinged up at Chaca and didn’t practice today. That would be a bit scary if he can’t play.

If Achucarro can’t go (he gets back on Friday) Emanuel Dening will get the call to partner with Boghossian up top. Yikes. Forgive me, but I haven’t seen much from him to make me think that SINA has much to be afraid of.

Tomorrow is the Banderazo at el Coloso, which this will be the last one played under that name. As of sometime in December NOB will be renaming the stadium after Marcelo Bielsa. Word is that Messi will be there.

If I can find some video I will put it up on Friday, along with some sort of preview once the lineup is solidified. I do know that Central seem to be set with the same team that drew Lanús.

Villar Shuts Out the Dutch

Jeremy — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:22:09 +0000

One of Newell’s favorite sons, 2004 title winner with La Lepra, and Paraguayan national team keeper Justo Villar made several good stops late to keep the Netherlands from scoring in a 0-0 draw.

Justo played 135 matches for NOB from 2004 – 2008 and in my opinion is the best keeper La Lepra ever had. He’s the reason I even watched part of the friendly tonight.

Just thought I’d throw this post out since he’s still one of my favorite players.

Match Video NOB 2 – 1 River

Jeremy — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:00:33 +0000

A couple of videos of Sunday’s win over River. The first is a scant half a minute and shows each goal once.

The second is from a River fan site, but it gives several looks at each goal. Just note the difference in the announcer when Boghossian scores for Newell’s and when Buonanotte scores for River.

One thing that strikes me about Boghossian’s second goal, La Lepra need to get him some dancing lessons.

The last video is a bit long, but it provides a taste of the atmosphere at el Coloso for those of us who live in other countries.

NOB 2 – 1 La Banda or Who Was That Tall Uruguayan?

Jeremy — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:28:18 +0000

Quick thoughts after the match:

Newell’s are playing like title winners, refusing to lose (or draw in this case) and scored another late match winner.

Boghossian is a beast. I don’t remember if NOB bought him or if he is on loan (I am thinking he is on loan) but I am seriously hoping any loan deal included a purchase option.

5 Match Suspension for Sánchez Prette

Jeremy — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:24:46 +0000

The AFA’s disciplinary committee today handed down a hefty penalty for Sánchez Prette’s tackle on Racing’s Martin Cáceres. Cáceres will be out of action for eight months.

I thought he’d get a match or two, but five is way more than anyone thought. Some rule or the other allows the committee to suspend a player for 5 to 30 matches, so I guess he got off light.

The club isn’t happy since they say there is no precedent for this as this is the worst penalty they have seen handed for the same infraction and the referee’s report stated that Sánchez Prette’s ejection was for accumulating to yellow cards and not a straight red.

Right or wrong, (and I am not sure abut the appeals process) it looks like Mauro Formica will be taking his place for those five games. Which while I am sure David over at a Leper In a Strange Land will be thrilled, I am not sure that it will be an improvement.

Formica is talented enough to start, but coming in as a sub he has been a match changer on several occasions. Plus, now we are thin in the attacking zone with Prette out and I’d rather roll into the clasico against la Sina at full strength.

Tigre 1 – 2 Newell’s

Jeremy — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:10:39 +0000

Just a short clip of the goals tonight. Oh and Newell’s provided all three goals with Boghossian scoring an own goal before netting the winner in the 86th minute.

Up Next, Tigre.

Jeremy — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:45:11 +0000

Well, Schiavi has been not been ruled out but team doctors are recommending that el Flaco sit this one out. Seeing as how Tigre are bottom of table, it makes sense to rest him. He’s got a small tear in the muscle of his left foot (I’m not sure what you call it in English or Spanish) and doctors say with the match off he should be back 100% against River.

Alexis Machuca will take his place.

Speaking of not going, Sánchez Prette is forced out due to the red he picked up for an over zealous tackle on Marcos Cáceres and Mauro Formica will go in his place. It’s worth noting that when Formica came in against Racing in the second half, the team went from being somewhat in a funk to finding an offensive purpose.

My concern is that la Lepra don’t get caught looking ahead to River and drop points away to Tigre. River is down this year, but they are still River – you must respect them.

Newell’s 1 – 0 Racing

Jeremy — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 18:44:58 +0000

Newell’s continued their winning ways with a thriller against Racing. Racing came in on a bad run of form and tried to grind out a 0 – 0 draw by parking a bus in front of their goal that almost worked.

Once Newell’s scored, courtesy of Juan Manuel Insaurralde and about a half-dozen headers (seriously how many times can you bounce a corner in the air) Racing tried to attack, and Newell’s keeper Sebastián Peratta should win Man of the Match honors for a couple of good stops late in the game.

(I thought I had posted this earlier but I had just saved it as a draft. Must be the new WP update. I’ve done that like three times now.)

Vélez 1 – 2 Newell’s aka Boghossian’s Coming Out

Jeremy — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:23:30 +0000

In a must have game if Newell’s wanted to become a serious contender, Uruguayan Joaquín Boghossian answered the bell for Newell’s, finding the back of the net twice and narrowly missing a third. Video after the jump.

It’s hard to imagine Newell’s having won the game without him. He was definitely the game changer and this output is what Sensini and the boys dreamed about when they signed him.

While most of the season he has tended to disappear for stretches at a time, he imposed himself on the Vélez defenders from start to finish.