I think in futbol most injuries happen accidentally. Players do play tough, go hard after the ball, try to intimidate each other, but there is rarely intention to injure. It's different in the US, with the NFL, where serious injuries happen every week, and often players do purposely intend to injure. Not long ago there was a case in the NFL of a coach who was actually giving cash prices to his players as a reward, whenever they injured an opponent. The coach got suspended for a year. Now that is sick, but I guess it's part of the American Football culture.
And I definitely think Tevez went in to intimidate, to be felt because he went high with his foot. But he missed the ball and that's what caused the injury, if he wanted to hurt him he'd have planted his other foot. And yeah the NFL interests me less every year. It takes so long and its very dehumanizing, especially with all we know about cte these days.
The tournament heads into its exciting final stretch. Boca continues its journey towards a league title with a home game against Banfield, while San Lorenzo tries to keep up playing at Tigre. VS Sunday September 27 18:15 (Hora Argentina) Stadium: La Bombonera Ref: Echenique AGUANTE BOOOOCA!!!
The opponent: Banfield Banfield is a surprisingly strong team and has had a great tournament, especially since Claudio Vivas took over as coach. They are currently on a streak of eight league matches without a loss, although Boca beat them in Copa Argentina. They are in 7th place with 12 wins, 7 draws and 6 losses, for 43 points. They have scored 33 goals and allowed 24. Banfield under Vivas is a team that defends well with lots of people in midfield and attacks at the right times, with former bostero Walter Erviti in midfield, and a dangerous speedy wing, Mauricio Cuero, who will challenge Monzon. He is joined in attack by two former gayinas, Juan Cazares and Giovanni Simeone. (Former bostero Lucas Viatri waits on the bench.) This is no doubt a difficult match, Boca needs to control the midfield and stay balanced to deal with the dangerous counterattacks. The fullbacks Monzón and Peruzzi need to be disciplined and have a strong defensive game. Historically Boca and Banfield played 117 times, with the Xeneizes winning 68, 25 draws and 24 wins for El Taladro. Boca scored 224 goals and Banfield 107. One memorable match was in 2011, in which Boca beat Banfield 3-0 with two goals from Cvitanich and one from Rivero. The game clinched Boca the league title (the last time we won the league title), and it was also the last game played by Seba Battaglia. The last match was just a couple of weeks ago, when Boca beat Banfield 3-0 for Copa Argentina in Formosa with goals from Pablo Perez, Calleri and Tevez. Likely starters
Gran jugada de Calleri, parecía que iba a encarar al arco, y se la dejo a Carlitos para que la empuje.
Good game as a team for the most part, against an opponent that showed less than what was expected. My evaluations: Orion 6: Hardly any work. Good save in the only decent shot he faced. Peruzzi 7: Nice goal and solid game attacking and defending. Cata 8: Always a step ahead of the opponent, very solid effort. Tobio 6: Solid game. Monzon 6: Occasional distractions but played well overall. Erbes 6: Solid defending the middle. Colazo 5: Was okay but not a lot of participation. Betancur 7: Good game for the kid, he's participating more. Lodeiro 7: Missed some chances but active and agressive, especially in the second half. Tevez 8: Team leader and got his goal. Calleri 8: Participated in all three goals and very active. Cristaldo 6: Participated okay in his few minutes. Chavez: Short time, little participation. Fuenzalida: Came at the end.
San Lorenzo y Rosario Central empataron 2 a 2, un resultado que favorece a Boca. Hay que ganar mañana!
Boca has a chance to increase its lead, playing at home against the last place team, Crucero del Norte. VS Sunday October 45h 18:15 (Hora Argentina) Stadium: La Bombonera Ref: Vigliano AGUANTE BOOOOCA!!!
Boca is expected to start the same players as last week. The only doubt is Peruzzi, who apparently twisted his ankle in practice. He should be ready to go, but if he's not then Fuenzalida would take his place. Likely Starters:
The opponent: Crucero del Norte The team from the province of Misiones is playing its first season in the top division, and it hasn't gone well for them. They are in last place with 3 wins, 5 draws and 18 loses, scoring 21 goals and allowing 45. Their visit to La Bombonera will be the first time they officially face Boca Juniors. Although they need a win to attempt to at least postpone their impending relegation, we can expect them to play cautiously and defensively, lining up in a 5-3-2. Opponents who play not to play have at times given Boca trouble, but this is a team we should beat, and a great chance to create more separation from second place with only three more games to go. Forward Ariel Colzera is a product of Boca's youth system, although he never played for Boca's first team. Their coach, Sebastian Rambert, is a former Boca player who later moved on to play for riBer. likely lineup: