Well, it seems that Russo has decided that the time to "protect" Gracian is over and will start him tomorrow. The one leaving him the spot is Battaglia, this way Banega returns to his position of last semester. Also, Krupoviesa will be back on the left of defense now that Urribarri was suspended. Hopefully, el Tucu is recovered and is in shape, as the other option was to ask for the 225 and have Urribarri play since Morel is away with his NT. The probable formation: Caranta Ibarra - Maidana - Paletta - Krupoviesa Ledesma - Banega - Datolo Gracian Palacio - Palermo Russo's conclusion is that there aren't enuff chances for Martin. With Gracian, he hopes to find more ground balls arriving his way. And with Krupo, his characteristic crosses to the 2nd post that will keep Palermo busy. Just in case this doesn't work, both Boselli and Bueno will be on the bench. Today, Tigre tied and Independiente won ... this means that Boca can only tie first place with a win. .
I havent been able to follow Boca as much as I would like this semester (college), but where is Neri?
What a criminal tackle on Banega and the Olimpo player doesn't even get carded! It should have been a straight red. Banega is out injured.
Paletta's playing very well. Krupoviesa's still not fit. The back four next weekend should be: Ibarra-Maidana-Paletta-Morel
It looks like Boca let down a little after Banegas left. At least it was a decent first half. Too bad Palermo's goal didn't count. Halftime Boca 1 Olimpo 0
Nice win. Really Olimpo didn't offer must resistance, but still, it's good to get the three points. I thought Gracian helped the team play with more clarity. But for Christ's sake, no more penalties for Palermo. He's lucky it went in. Final Boca 2 Olimpo 0
The most important thing was to gain the 3 points on a very rainy day in Bs As ... not everyone is able to adapt to the climate constraints and end-up drowned in half a glass of water. The addition of Gracian and Krupoviesa had as the premise to find more offensive routes for Palermo. This was partially true, as the field conditions certainly reduced the chances to play on the ground. But this premise has a wider impact. The entire team is worried for Palermo. They are trying way too hard to have him score. And this turned into inefficiency ... clear chances that were once again missed. There is another game in 4 days. Hopefully the field will be without water. Another chance to see if with the ball on the ground, the team can win confortably, earlier in the game. Paletta impressed yesterday. Maidana was also on spot. What to do with Morel? Should Russo bench Maidana, Paletta or Krupo? The taller the center of defense, the less importance of Palermo in defensive duties. From the defensive choices we could start to read Russo's intentions moving forward. Unless Gracian helps Russo to delay the decision regarding the center of attack. Banega is out for Sunday's game at Banfield. And is doubtful for the game against Sao Paulo on Wednesday, could be up to 2 weeks out. Pinto didn't even see a yellow ... seems that Pezzotta measures the yellows based on if there is bone damage. Thankfully, Banega's is just a swollen ankle, no bone damage. Match stats .
Yeah I saw that. It was sad. And Palermo didn't help either complaining non stop on every occasion. Krupo didn't seem that fit to me, he should be benched and Morel shifted to LB. Morel was the best LB in the Argentine league when he played in that position.
Morel is out for this sunday's game due to an injury in the Paraguay v. Colombia game so, the back 4 will def be the same as today unless they put in Urribarri It's Banega!! Why does everyone add an s at the end?? Also, they should practice corner kicks. Incredible that twice the kicker kicks it out of bounds. They need to have a lefty take the pks on the right side and a righty on the left side so that the balls curves towards the net and doesn't go out of play Gracian didn't play very well at all and I don't think it was him that made the team 'play better'. It was actually IMO the rain that made the field fast and slick and help Rodrigo Palacio A LOT. Palacio stepping up his game today was the difference and why the team played better. Also, Palermo HAD to take that penalty kick. There is no way that Ledesma was going to take it. Palermo needs to start getting his confidence back and what better way then to take a penalty kick? The game wasn't on the line and so a miss (although it would have been devastating to his moral) wouldn't have cost the team any points. I think that he is definitely going to start getting his confidence back after that goal (and an incredible header that was disallowed because the ball had gone out of play). VAMOS PALERMO!! YO TE BANCO!!
Yeah but not to the point of overdoing it. He kept on complaining and the rest of the players started to play for him blowing chances by trying to cross him the ball when they shouldn't have.
Yo lo banco a Palermo, pero no veo por que tiene que patear los penales. Eso es ponerlo por encima del equipo. Tuvo suerte que lo metio, el arquero se lo deberia haber atajado. No creo que le de confianza, con lo mal que le pego. Por otro lado, el gol que hizo de cabeza (que anularon) fue un golazo. Eso si le deberia dar confianza. Ese es el Palermo que conocemos.
si vos pensas que el se pone encima del equipo entonces por que los otros 3 penales lo dejo patear Ledesma?? El penal de ayer no era 'hacerlo o morir'. si no andaba adentro, igual hubiamos ganado. Lo dejaron patear para darle confianza nada mas. Y lo convirtio. En futbol no hay 'casi'. Fue adentro y eso es el unico que vale Por otro lado, el gol que hizo de cabeza (que anularon) fue un golazo. Eso si le deberia dar confianza. Ese es el Palermo que conocemos.[/quote]
No estoy hablando de los otros tres penales, estoy hablando del partido de ayer. Para mi, no importa si el rival es inferior, si tienen diez hombres, si esta lloviendo, si faltan cinco minutos, etc. En futbol, con el resultado uno a cero, el partido no esta definido. Ese penal habia que meterlo, y no pienso que Palermo era la persona mas indicada para hacerlo. Pero bueno, Palermo lo metio. No lo pateo bien, pero lo metio, asi que todo esta bien. No voy a discutir mas.
Palermo almost misses the pk ... but the worrisome part is that other chances of goal were not taken just to, instead, serve him the ball for him to tap in. And for one reason or another, he couldn't finish them. It is not a direct blame on him ... it is more for Russo to analyze, correct and if necessary/unavoidable bench him. The team HAS to always be over any player. Palermo is putting pressure on himself and on his team mates by trying to beat the record. Just as Belluschi was drowning with his armband, Palermo has put heavy weights on his shoulders with this record thing. Btw ... glad to see Neri back on the field. When Datolo and Gracian were on hte field, Datolo tends to make diagonals to the center. The problem he has is that the goal and ball are to his right foot. If that is going to be the pattern that the left midfielder should make, then Neri HAS to come back ... just as last semester. .