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South American Dispatch: Boca Juniors Build A Case For Defence
Goal.com’s Tim Sturtridge reports on Boca’s latest transfer dealings, Ronaldo’s low key Christmas and Estudiantes’ heartbreak in the Middle East...
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Dec 19, 2009 8:41:32 PM
Under fire Boca Juniors head coach Alfio Basile has received a timely boost ahead of next year’s Clausura campaign. Basile has received assurances from club president Jorge Amor Ameal and Boca’s general manager Carlos Bianchi that the coach will have money in place to improve the squad during the summer break.
The transfers look set to kick-off with a swap deal between Boca Juniors and Rosario Central. Boca midfield Cristian Chávez is being ushered towards the exit as the club look to bring Jesús Méndez to Buenos Aires.
23-year-old Chávez had an enjoyable start to his career at La Bombonera as he picked up Copa Sudamericana and Apertura titles in 2008. More recently however the player has struggled at Boca and the time looks right for Chávez to try his luck elsewhere. The initial deal taking Chávez to Central looks set to be a six month loan with the Rosario club having the option of signing the player at the conclusion of next year’s Clausura campaign.
Méndez will know he has his work cut out to get the Boca faithful onside as the player started his career as the club’s great rivals River Plate. What the US$2 million rated Méndez can bring to the side is added protection for Boca’s fragile backline with his natural positional sense and biting tackles.
Along with Chávez it seems striker Lucas Viatri and veteran goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri are both being encouraged to seek employment elsewhere. Boca need to reduce their wage bill before the new signings they need can be put in place.
Boca’s top targets are believed to be defenders and the names that have been mentioned include Fabricio Fuentes of Villarreal and Agustín Alayes of Estudiantes. With both these players in their 30s it is clear that Boca are looking for a quick fix to their leaky defence.
Another name currently being linked with the squad is the former Boca midfielder Jesús Dátolo who is getting few starts for Napoli at the moment. A six month loan of Dátolo would do wonders to lift the spirits around La Bombonera.
No time for turkey for Ronaldo
While the rest of the Corinthians staff enjoy a well earned break at the end of a successful year they have two employees who will still be clocking in over the festive period.
Ronaldo and the club physio Bruno Mazziotti have vowed to put in extra hours over the Christmas period to ensure that the player is fighting fit at the beginning of next year as the club’s centenary season kicks off.
In an interview with Lance! Magazine Mazziotti gave an insight into his and the three time World Player of the Year plans in the coming weeks.
“We will have Christmas Day and New Years Day off but on all other days we will at the club working. We have a program to maintain Ronaldo’s aerobic fitness and continued weight loss. We also have a slight injury concern which we will be working on.”
Ronaldo has not played since late November when he limped off in Corinthians’ penultimate game of the season against Flamengo. The player’s latest knock is a hamstring injury and it is not thought it will prevent him from taking part in the club’s first few games next year.
With new faces such as Roberto Carlos signing for Corinthians as they enter their centenary year the pressure will be on the team to win every time they take the pitch. Ronaldo will be expected to play his part as the team go for glory in the Copa du Brasil, Paulistão Championship, Brazil’s Serie A and more importantly of all the Copa Libertadores.
Estudiantes schooled by Barcelona
Despite an Argentine scoring the winning goal of the final of the Club World Cup it was the team from Spain who got their hands on the trophy.
Estudiantes head coach Sabella seemed to have got his tactics spot on for the game as his side frustrated the ultra-talented Barcelona outfit for much of the contest.
Juan Sebastian Veron reminded the world of his talents as he matched up against Barcelona’s midfield and played his part in the game’s opening goal. A square ball to full-back Juan Manuel Diaz lead to the cross for Mauro Boselli to head Estudiantes into the lead.
Boselli will have won a yet more admirers for his performances in the Middle East and his leap to beat Carlos Puyol and Eric Abidal to Diaz’s cross further demonstrated his athleticism and desire on the pitch.
Sabella’s game plan was never going to be to fight fire with fire and once his side got their goal they naturally tried to protect their lead. They looked like they had done enough when despite Ibrahimovic having a few chances Estudiantes entered the dying moments of the match still in the lead.
Then came heartbreak as Pedro’s looped header sent the match into extra time. Barcelona showed their class in the extra 30 minutes and were rewarded when Lionel Messi popped up with the winner.
A late Veron free-kick almost forced the game to penalties but ultimately it was not to be Estudiantes’ night.
Tim Sturtridge, Goal.com
The transfers look set to kick-off with a swap deal between Boca Juniors and Rosario Central. Boca midfield Cristian Chávez is being ushered towards the exit as the club look to bring Jesús Méndez to Buenos Aires.
23-year-old Chávez had an enjoyable start to his career at La Bombonera as he picked up Copa Sudamericana and Apertura titles in 2008. More recently however the player has struggled at Boca and the time looks right for Chávez to try his luck elsewhere. The initial deal taking Chávez to Central looks set to be a six month loan with the Rosario club having the option of signing the player at the conclusion of next year’s Clausura campaign.
Méndez will know he has his work cut out to get the Boca faithful onside as the player started his career as the club’s great rivals River Plate. What the US$2 million rated Méndez can bring to the side is added protection for Boca’s fragile backline with his natural positional sense and biting tackles.
Along with Chávez it seems striker Lucas Viatri and veteran goalkeeper Roberto Abbondanzieri are both being encouraged to seek employment elsewhere. Boca need to reduce their wage bill before the new signings they need can be put in place.
Boca’s top targets are believed to be defenders and the names that have been mentioned include Fabricio Fuentes of Villarreal and Agustín Alayes of Estudiantes. With both these players in their 30s it is clear that Boca are looking for a quick fix to their leaky defence.
Another name currently being linked with the squad is the former Boca midfielder Jesús Dátolo who is getting few starts for Napoli at the moment. A six month loan of Dátolo would do wonders to lift the spirits around La Bombonera.
No time for turkey for Ronaldo
While the rest of the Corinthians staff enjoy a well earned break at the end of a successful year they have two employees who will still be clocking in over the festive period.
Ronaldo and the club physio Bruno Mazziotti have vowed to put in extra hours over the Christmas period to ensure that the player is fighting fit at the beginning of next year as the club’s centenary season kicks off.
In an interview with Lance! Magazine Mazziotti gave an insight into his and the three time World Player of the Year plans in the coming weeks.
“We will have Christmas Day and New Years Day off but on all other days we will at the club working. We have a program to maintain Ronaldo’s aerobic fitness and continued weight loss. We also have a slight injury concern which we will be working on.”
Ronaldo has not played since late November when he limped off in Corinthians’ penultimate game of the season against Flamengo. The player’s latest knock is a hamstring injury and it is not thought it will prevent him from taking part in the club’s first few games next year.
With new faces such as Roberto Carlos signing for Corinthians as they enter their centenary year the pressure will be on the team to win every time they take the pitch. Ronaldo will be expected to play his part as the team go for glory in the Copa du Brasil, Paulistão Championship, Brazil’s Serie A and more importantly of all the Copa Libertadores.
Estudiantes schooled by Barcelona
Despite an Argentine scoring the winning goal of the final of the Club World Cup it was the team from Spain who got their hands on the trophy.
Estudiantes head coach Sabella seemed to have got his tactics spot on for the game as his side frustrated the ultra-talented Barcelona outfit for much of the contest.
Juan Sebastian Veron reminded the world of his talents as he matched up against Barcelona’s midfield and played his part in the game’s opening goal. A square ball to full-back Juan Manuel Diaz lead to the cross for Mauro Boselli to head Estudiantes into the lead.
Boselli will have won a yet more admirers for his performances in the Middle East and his leap to beat Carlos Puyol and Eric Abidal to Diaz’s cross further demonstrated his athleticism and desire on the pitch.
Sabella’s game plan was never going to be to fight fire with fire and once his side got their goal they naturally tried to protect their lead. They looked like they had done enough when despite Ibrahimovic having a few chances Estudiantes entered the dying moments of the match still in the lead.
Then came heartbreak as Pedro’s looped header sent the match into extra time. Barcelona showed their class in the extra 30 minutes and were rewarded when Lionel Messi popped up with the winner.
A late Veron free-kick almost forced the game to penalties but ultimately it was not to be Estudiantes’ night.
Tim Sturtridge, Goal.com
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