South America

Argentina: 2013 Torneo Inicial Final Weekend
Posted by Gersloveofsport

It all comes down to this. Two matches featuring the top four teams, and all separated by only two points. First will play third while second will play fourth.

San Lorenzo top the table, and know that a win away from home against Velez Sarsfield and they will be crowned Champions, however their form of late has been scratchy, dropping four points in their last two games. If they won only one of those they would be Champions by now, it just seems like the pressure is getting to them. They have one of the youngest defenses in the league, including 22 year-old left-back Walter Kannemann. Santiago Gentiletti will marshall the centre of defence with Mauro Cetto as Pablo Alvaro is suspended. San Lorenzo's midfielder Leandro Romagnoli (pictured) is their most creative player, Pipi as he is known, is not the most physical of players but he has wonderful ability with the ball and if he is given time he can find a pass to his front men to score. They have two teenage strikers leading the line in Hector Villalba and Angel Correa and if the pressure of the occasion doesn't get to them they will become heros overnight.

Velez have won the last three games and are in form going into the biggest game of the season. On-Loan Lazio striker Mauro Zarate is suspended for this game after getting sent off against Colon. Velez will probably start with Lucas Pratto and Ramiro Caseres up front, who have scored twelve goals between them. 19 year-old Caseres (pictured) is beginning to make a name for himself in Argentina and this would be the perfect opportunity for him to shine. Defensivley Sebastian Dominguez is the rock in the centre, while in midfield Ferderico Insua is the general, scoring goals and making opportunities for his team-mates. Velez will have to cope with the pressure of being at home, but their supporters will be 100% behind them. Whether they can roar them on to be Champions remains to be seen.

In the other game, newly crowned Coppa Sudamerica Champions Lanus travel to take on Newell's Old Boys. The euphoria of winning their first Continental Title will spur them on in this game. They have the best goal difference of all four teams so they know if San Lorenzo don't win and Lanus do, they will be Champions and cap off a wonderful week. Goalscorer in the Coppa Sudamerica final Victor Ayala and Jorge Ortiz are both suspended for this game for red cards picked up in their last match against Boca Juniors, so it will mean a reshuffle in midfield. Diego Gonzalea will probably come into the team to partner Nicolas Pasquini. Up-front Lanus could go with a three man attack featuring Ismael Blanco, Oscar Benitez and 'the tank' himself, Santiago Silva (pictured). If they can perform for one more  game they could well make 2013 a year to remember for coach Guillermo Barros Schelotto. 

Newell's, probably outsiders to win the Title, have a chance to upset the applecart though. They are very experienced in defence, with Victor Lopez, Marcos Caseres, Victor Ruben and Ex-Manchester United defender Gabriel Heinze. Pablo Perez and Lucas Berardi take control in midfield, while up-front they have the highly experienced, and hugely talented Ex-French International, and World Cup winning striker David Trezeguet (pictured). Joining him in attack will be Fabian Munoz. Keeping them from scoring will be a huge task for Lanus.

It will be an exiting finish to the Torneo Inicial for this season. Who will you be putting your money on?

Published by @gersloveofsport.

Copa Sudameria: Lanus Crowned Champions.
Posted by Gersloveofsport



Argentinian side Lanus have been crowned Copa Sudameria Champions for 2013. With the scores tied 1-1 after the first leg, Lanus went into the home second leg as favourites. Two first half goals sealed victory as the club won only their third major trophy in their history. Copa Conmebol Champions in 1996. Apertura Champions in 2007, and now Copa Sudamerica Champions.

Ponte Preta started off well enough, a couple of early chances from Rildo giving Lanus something to think about. But, that was as good as it got. Lanus totally controled the game after about the first ten minutes and got their reward in the 25th minute. Paraguayan Victor Ayala battled for the ball in midfield and burst forward, he found Ismael Blanco who fired in a low cross back to the on-rushing Ayala who finished it off with aplomb. Then just before the break Ponte's coach Jorginho was sent to the stands for arguing a decision with the forth official. Moments later Lanus went two up, as a corner was whipped in by Ayala, Santiago Silva powered in a header which was well saved by Roberto but he couldn't stop Blanco from hitting in the rebound.
Ponte made a couple of substitutions after the break to try to change things, bringing in Adailton, Ferrugem and William but they couldn't change the momentum. Blanco had a great chance to wrap up the game on seventy minutes when he had a bullet header brilliantly saved by Roberto, who also saved one-handed from Gonzalez later on. Santiago Silva was superb both up-front and in defense for Lanus, winning a lot of headers in his own penalty area to snuff out any threat the Brazilians tried to pose from free-kicks and corners.
In the end it was a much deserved victory for the home side, who now go in search of another trophy this Sunday, as they need to win their last match of the season and hope San Lorenzo falter. If that happens Lanus will crown a wonderful 2103 and win the Torneo Inicial Title.
Lanus are managed by Boca Juniors legend and Ex-MLS star Guillermo Barros Schelotto (pictured) along with his twin brother Gustavo. Guillermo has been linked with a managerial post in the MLS with his previous club Columbus Crew and FC Dallas recently, but with this success and maybe more to come on Sunday, he may find that it will become more difficult to leave. A young coach to watch out for.


Published by @gersloveofsport