Resigned To It - Angel Cappa

Adressing the fans directly via his blog (http://www.cappadt.blogspot.com/) Angel Cappa of Hurcán is now the ex-coach of Huracán. In the early hours of Tuesday morning he announced his resignation in a post titled 'Hasta Pronto'. His frustration has been building throughout the Apertura; the team, a mere shadow of the one which passed and thrilled it's way to runners-up spot in the last campaign has struggled to find any form and have managed just 2 victories.

Cappa offered his resignation a few weeks ago but was persuaded to stay on until December. Last Saturday's clasico defeat at home to San Lorenzo (0-2) and the die was cast. 'I can't say goodbye to Huracán' he begins 'It's been a privilege to be involved in and with the development of a team that will surely take it's place in the club's history and possibly occupy an important place in Argentine football'. Proud of his reputation as a coach who demands football to be played the right way he believes his crusade also has implications for the game as a whole - 'Argentine football found hope' {in Huracán}. It's easy to accuse him of having an over-inflated sense of his own self-worth, pretentious too; but those who witnessed them destroy River Plate and Racing with their tiki tiki quick passing game can understand why such claims are made.

What now? He'll be cheering on Huracán from the stands and hopefully the blog will continue. As for the team's star midfielder and Maradona saviour Mario Bolatti has already intimated that he'll be moving on, he told La Nacion 'It'll be very difficult for me to continue after December..........many things have happened since July but now is not the time to talk about them'.

Jesús Martínez - reserve team coach will take over in the interim, as for long term solutions president Carlos Babbington has alluded to Miguel Brindisi who's now out of work after coaching in Mexico - his salary demands may well exceed what el Globo can offer a fact already acknowledged by Babbington. Also in the frame is Diego Cocca ex of Godoy Cruz.

Huracán 4 - 0 River Plate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZYAsCt_xzA&feature=related

Racing 1 - 4 Huracán
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZezMUZnFbQk&feature=related

In His Own Words

Tired of hearing how 'we was robbed'? Bored of being told by managers that 'the lads worked hard'? Fed-up with formulaic, media friendly, insipid responses to questions? Ever wondered what they're really thinking, ever wanted a more in-depth analysis of how the boss sees things?

Lover of beautiful football, Menotista and all round good egg Angel Cappa - coach of Huracan has recently entered the world known as the 'blogosphere' and started posting his own thoughts for public consumption. Unlike many of us who do this Cappa has actually got something to say and he says it. His postings to date (four in September) give us an insight into the motivations and thoughts of a man committed to his very own footballing philosophy. He likens the decimation of his Clasura squad (Javier Pastore, Carlos Araujo, Matias Defederico) to 'an elephant marauding through a newly planted garden, everything is destroyed' on losing the Championship in the last game to Velez 'I will never forget the performance of Brazenas [referee]...............how it denied the whole neighbourhood the outpouring of joy we deserved by playing better than the others'. Huracan are not having the best of campaigns thus far (something to do with the elephant......?) and are propping-up the table. In his latest post following yet another defeat to Velez, Cappa thanks the fans for their continuing support 'after the defeat I saw people clapping the players, this only happens at Huracan, despite whatever occurs the fans support the team' As for his future at the club despite being offered a contract extension he's holding off for the moment although not for financial reasons he asserts, currently all his energies are being put into changing the team's fortunes 'these losses overwhelm us' he laments.

The cynics would argue that given Huracan's current predicament he shouldn't be wasting time writing for the likes of you and I, given the number of followers to his blog (857 and rising) many fans take a different view. Cappa now can talk directly to the supporters, without having to rely on the media to distribute and on occasion distort his message - very useful in times of crisis.

View Angel Cappa's Blog: http://www.cappadt.blogspot.com/

Hasta Luego!

Transfer Chat - 2

'Does my bum look big in this?'
Cristina gets a free shirt for bailing out football.

Photo: Clarin

With the delayed Apertura finally due to commence within hours I’ll revisit the post about transfers from a few weeks ago (http://realfootballargentina.blogspot.com/2009/06/transfer-chat.html). Remember, this is Argentina – things are rarely as simple as the selling club receiving all of the revenue, previous clubs, business consortiums and various other parties may all get a share. Far from an exhaustive list, what follows are some deals and potential deals that have caught my eye.

I’ll start with the world’s most prolific striker – Lucas Barrios who’s moved from Colo Colo (Chile) to Borussia Dortmund for €4.5m. A significant intra-European transfer is Lisandro López – moving from Porto to Olympique Lyonnais for €24m in a four year deal. Back in Argentina – if you’re tempted to put some cash on Huracán to go one better this season think again, midfielder Javier Pastore has moved to Palermo for 5 years, with el Globo seeing little if any of the fee. Matias Defederico is on the verge of moving to Corinthians (of Brazil not England) although Huracán’s official website insists that he’ll be staying on for another 6 months. Reports in the English press also allude to an unnamed English club (Liverpool?) making an eleventh hour bid. Defender Carlos Araujo is on his way to AEK Athens subject to a medical. One positive for coach Cappa is that Mario Bolatti will continue to play for the team, albeit for 6 months. Without Pastore and Defederico to light up the play things will be a lot different.

Onto River where35 year old Matias Almeyda is the latest recruit to join Dads Army. Ariel Ortega is back from his Mendocino exile and raring to go after scoring in his return match against Everton (England). For now Diego Buonanotte remains but Colombian striker Radamel Falcao has departed for Porto at a cost of €4m. Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Paniagua has joined the Millionaires (surely time to change that nickname) from Guarani on a 1 year loan with an option to buy.

At Boca Juniors forward Rodrigo Palacio has finally moved to Europe with Genoa (the irony!) where Luciano Figueroa has also returned to. On the subject of Genoa Diego Milito has moved to Internazionale which should increase Palacio’s chances of getting some games. It is to be hoped the stylish Italians have a word with Rodrigo about ‘that haircut’. Hugo Ibarra was on the verge of quitting the club a few weeks ago but got all sentimental and decided to stay on much to the relief of fans. Chilean midfielder Gary Medel has joined on loan from Universidad Católica.

If further evidence were needed of the global appeal of Argentine talent Independiente are a great example – Daniel Montenegro has gone to Mexican side América for $3.5m, Hernán Fredes moves to Metalist in the Ukraine and Leandro Gioda goes to Jerez, Spain on loan. Forward Andres Silvera joins from San Lorenzo where he hopes to get paid on time – good luck. Neighbours Racing have lost a significant amount of talent (see earlier post) but have recruited from the dark side – Damián Ledesma arrives from Independiente. Defender Franco Sosa is the latest departure moving to Lorient of France for 3 years €800k.

San Lorenzo could have a page dedicated to themselves, interesting times for Simeone learning all those new names – I’ll keep it brief, Bergessio still remains the club will need his fighting spirit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoA76V09LCg). Midfielder Leandro Romagnoli puts heart over head and returns from Sporting Lisbon despite interest from Fluminense and goalkeeper Pablo Migliore joins from Boca. Cristian Ledesma returns to Olympiakos. Veteran Kily Gonzalez arrives from Rosario Central.

Some others: Clasura champions Vélez have been relatively quiet although striker Joaquin Larrivey has returned back to Cagliari after his loan spell. Lanús have lost prolific striker José Sand to the footballing mecca that is Al Ain in the UAE in exchange for $10m, another striker 19 year old Eduardo Salvio is also interesting Fiorentina who are ready to bid around €10m. Champions of America Estudiantes will continue to be inspirationally led by Verón who has taken a 40% paycut in order to fund youth football – what a legend! Gastón Fernández – scorer of the equaliser against Cruzeiro in the Copa Libertadores final has returned to Tigres of Mexico after his loan spell.


Transfer revenue may be less, but a similar pattern remains – young hopefuls go one way and the veterans come the other. Pastore could well have stayed at least another season with Huracán and earned himself a move to an A-list European club under the instruction of Cappa. Unfortunately the player was no doubt the last person to be aware of his next move.

Enjoy the season.

Hasta luego!

The Circus Comes to Town

Expect the collection plate to handed around in Moscow on the 12th August, with the game in Argentina firmly in the red some much needed dollars from filthy rich oligarchs would be most welcome. La selección travel East to face Russia ahead of their summer 2010 defining double header against Brazil and Paraguay in early September. The 23 man squad is near as damn it full strength, the major surprise for yours truly being the inclusion Jesús Dátolo from Napoli who's played a mere 9 games for the Italian side. Mario Bolatti of footballing team Huracán also gets a well deserved call-up with Clasura champions Vélez bringing up the rear courtesy of Emiliano Papa and Nicolás Otamendi the latter building on his first cap in the friendly against Panama (a game slated in an earlier post!!!). Juan Verón is included and once again proves that age aint nothing but a number particularly after his legendary performances in the Copa Libertadores for Estudiantes. The squad is as follows:

Juan Pablo Carrizo (Zaragoza –Spain) Mariano Andujar (Catania – Italy) Javier Zanetti (Internazionale – Italy) Emiliano Papa (Vélez Sársfield – Argentina) Gabriel Heinze (Real Madrid – Spain) Daniel Díaz (Getafe – Spain) Nicolás Burdisso (Internazionale – Spain) Nicolás Otamendi (Vélez Sársfield) Martín Demichelis (Bayern Munich – Germany) Javier Mascherano (Liverpool – England) Fernando Gago (Real Madrid – Spain) Sebastian Battaglia (Boca) Mario Bolatti (Huracán – Argentina) Maximiliano Rodríguez (Atlético de Madrid – Spain) Jonás Gutiérrez (Newcastle United – England) Jesús Dátolo (Nápoli – Italia) Juan Sebastián Verón (Estudiantes de La Plata) Lionel Messi (Barcelona – Spain) Sergio Agüero (Atlético de Madrid – Spain) Carlos Tevez (Manchester City – England) Lisandro López (Olympique Lyonnais – France) Diego Milito (Internazionale – Italy) Ezequiel Lavezzi (Nápoli – Italy)

Hasta luego!

Transfer Chat

Staying on? River's Diego Buonanotte

January was on the whole a quiet month in terms of Argentine talent moving to Europe with the one major transfer being midfielder Jésus Dátalo moving from Boca Juniors to Napoli for $8.3m. In the other direction Maxi Lopez escaped the Russian winter and joined Gremio on loan. This close season already looks a lot more hectic if the chatter is anything to go by. Maybe the agents are feeling the pinch. What follows is a far from complete breakdown of who's going where and who's being touted around with a view to a move, all compiled with the help of some exclusive sources (newspapers, websites, TV, radio). Remember: if it happens you read it here first............................

We'll start with a done deal in Europe, Javier Saviola (remember him??) has finally ended his Real Madrid bench-warming session and has moved to Benfica for 5m Euros. Back in Argentina: With just over a week to go before Huracán's title showdown with Vélez Sarsfield 20 year old playmaker and golden boy Javier Pastore may have so far escaped the attention of Maradona but has caught the eyes of Serie A side Palermo. Club president Maurizio Zamparini told El Grafico magazine 'Pastore is practically ours, all apart from the official seal, but we're waiting until the end of the Argentine championship'. All of which maybe news to Huracán, although this being Argentina the club may not have it all their own way in negotiations. In the murky world of 3rd party player ownership 45% of Pastore's contract is in the hands of private individuals whilst the remainder is with Huracán in addition Talleres de Cordoba are in line to receive 10% of any transfer fee. On this occasion the Palermo president's words may be just posturing.

Over to Avellaneda where Racing have celebrated avoiding the relegation play-offs by off loading 18 year old midfield dynamo Franco Zucculini to Bundesliga upstarts Hoffenheim for $6.7m where he's signed a 5 year deal. Still at La Academia defender José Shaffer returns to Europe to join up with compatriot Saviola at Benfica. Independiente's fantastically named goalkeeper Fabian Assmann (!) is rumoured to be interesting both Chelsea and Aston Villa although with 25 goals conceded in 11 games (including three 5-0 thrashings) the attention seems to have waned.

To the firesale at Boca Juniors where most of the current squad seem to be on the market following their failure to progress in the Copa Libertadores and current financial plight. General Manager Carlos Bianchi has recently taken a 50% pay cut to help balance the books. New coach Alfio Basile's first job will be to build a new side. Battling Colombian midfielder Fabián Vargas (29) has departed after almost 6 years and joined Spanish side Almeria on a 3 year deal. Onto some other potential movers, striker Rodrigo Palacio the owner of the worst rats-tail haircut in football may also be moving to La Liga, this time to Galicia with Deportivo La Coruna the deal by all accounts is done bar the signing. Fellow striker Lucas Viatri has been the subject of interest from Italian side Siena who are willing to pay upto $4.5m for him. Maybe only the mercurial Martin Palermo will be leading the line for Boca next season as Luciano Figueroa has ended his loan spell and will be returning to Genoa, although he's likely to be farmed out again but he's quashed any rumours of a return to River Plate.

With River Plate also having failed dismally both domestically and internationally in the last year you may expect the vultures to be gathering to pick-up the talent gracing El Monumental. With club president Aguilar up for re-election later in the year his two most prized assets could well be staying on at least for the time being. Diego Buonanotte, the latest 'next Diego' and the cause of much speculation about his future over the last 12 months has once again attracted more than a passing glance from teams such as Lazio and Benfica, together with unnamed French and Russian sides. The player has admitted that one day Europe is his ultimate goal but as it stands only a big offer and/or a President not wanting re-election would see him leave in the close season; although if he does exit it would certainly ease the financial worries of the club and the propaganda machine would swing into action. Colombian striker Radamel Falcao Garcia (23) who has been one of the few shining lights; according to reports this week he is on the verge of staying with River for upto 3 years although the reality is likely to be an additional 12 months.

Some others........Estudiantes have one foot in the Copa Libertadores final but that hasn't stopped goalkeeper Mariano Andújar joining Serie A's Catania on a 4 year contract. The newly capped international previously played for Sicilian rivals Palermo. San Lorenzo's striker Gonzalo Bergessio, another player owned by numerous investors may well join the boat to Europe with Porto showing interest.

So there you have it, I'll try to revisit this in a month with updates and apologies for getting it totally incorrect.

Hasta luego!

Violence Overshadows Huracán's Title Charge

Bad pitches, Maradona’s psychological state, ex-Presidents showering gifts on players……after a crazy 10 days the football finally threatened to grab the headlines this weekend with crucial games at both ends of Primera A. Sadly violence has once again appeared at football with two fans paying the ultimate price.

With Huracán closing in on their first title since 1973 and by general consensus playing the best football in the league their 3-0 home victory over Arsenal should be cause for celebration. However this being Argentina the presence of the Barra Brava is never too far away. At the end of the game fierce fighting took place involving differing factions of Huracán’s barras, the end result being two shot dead and four injured. To fans in Europe this in-fighting is a relatively alien concept where problems generally occur between different clubs. To control and lead a club’s gang in Argentina doesn’t just provide free entrance to matches, a great deal of money can be made engaging in other shady activities – to be a ‘capo’ is a fulltime job of what is in effect a criminal organisation. The battle of McDonald’s which took place earlier this year was for control of Boca Juniors infamous ‘La Doce’ also involved firearms and saw an innocent pensioner caught in the crossfire.

The final game and title decider sees Huracán travel to Vélez where a draw would be enough to secure the Clasura. It's sad that for all the sparkling football played by El Globo under the stewardship of Angel Cappa off the field activity grabs the headlines in what could be an historic season.

Hasta luego!