‘I’m singing in the rain, just singing in the rain. What a glorious feeling I’m…. actually soaked to my skin’. After weeks where the great city of Buenos Aires felt more like an oven, the heavens finally opened just in time for the second round of Clausura fixtures. The conditions definitely allowed for some surprises, stopping many teams playing the lovely ‘tiki-tiki’ football Argentines are renowned for. There was even a casualty of the weather in the south, as Banfield and Argentinos Juniors managed only 8 minutes before the game was called off. Why it took referee Javier Collado this long to realise it was unplayable is hard to fathom- the ball couldn’t roll for than a couple of metres at a time. But then again, if it comes down to a choice between getting soaking wet and pneumonia and facing two sets of angry hinchada… I’d pick the pneumonia as well.

Elsewhere El Diego announced his squad for upcoming friendly against Jamaica, and with the players included brought the number of players used during his reign to 101!! Not bad for someone in the job just over a year. I’m not sure what criteria goes into the selection of a Maradona national team; it could be the result of methodical preparation and scouting, combined with a willingness to try unheralded players plying their trade in the domestic league: or equally it could come down to the little man blindfolding himself and throwing darts into Clarin’s team of the week every Monday. I’ll let you decide.

Onwards to the highlights of a soggy second round of fixtures in the Argentine Clausura:

Gimnasia win the battle of La Plata:

Estudiantes are South American champions and came within a whisker of being champions of the world in December. Gimnasia are struggling at the foot, and no-one could remember the last time they won a match. However, to dust off an old cliché a derby game is always a cup final, and so it proved as Gimnasia shocked their La Plata rivals in a 3-1 home victory. The game was played without away supporters after crowd trouble at previous matches, and the home team struck first blood 26 minutes into the second half, with a headed goal by Stracqualursi capping a fluid passing move. Stracaqualursi then doubled the advantage with a strong finish from the edge of the box. Veron gave the visitors hope two minutes from time, but the result was sealed in injury time when a horrible mistake from Estudiantes keeper Orion let in Cuevas. This was el lobo’s first victory in the derby for over five years, and they enjoyed it greatly.

‘Big Two’ Back to Winning Ways:

After indifferent starts to the Clausura both Boca Juniors and River Plate needed wins to silence angry mutterings from the stands. Both came through on this, taking much-appreciated points off Lanús and Chacarita Juniors respectively. Boca always looked in control at La Bombonera, even after going into half time 1-1, Lanús forward Gonzalo Castillejos scoring his third in two games to cancel out Gary Medel’s opener. Los Bosteros pulled away in the second half, with goals from Martin Palermo and Cristian Erbes early in the second half putting the game beyond doubt.

River on the other hand were made to suffer for their points against a decent Chacarita side. Los funebreros were the better side for large stretches of the game, but once again poor defending let them down as they went into half time 2-0 down. The game then became incredibly scary for River as goals from Chaca’s Grabinski and Parra brought the game back to 3-2 in the final minutes, River’s Gustavo Bou striking in between to provide breathing space. Deep into injury time Chacarita thought the equaliser had come after Parra bundled in, only for it to be disallowed for an earlier foul.

Best of the Rest:

Mendoza outfit Godoy Cruz went top and have the distinction of being the only team in the league to win both their games so far, after an impressive 1-0 victory away at title challengers San Lorenzo. A goal 35 minutes into the first half proved to be decisive, provided by forward Cesar Carranza after bamboozling the keeper and firing home from short range. Godoy aren’t considered as candidates this year flirting closer with the relegation places, but at the least if they keep up this form they will secure a place in the top flight for next year without doubt.

Racing meanwhile melted in the Santa Fe heat as they succumbed to a 2-1 loss against home side Colón. La Academia were visibly tired after Saturday’s exertions and struggled in a heat approaching 50°, while the home side had rested most of their first team at the weekend and so on Tuesday came out much fresher. Despite this Racing took a surprise lead after 12 minutes, after Colón goalie Diego Pozo completely misjudged an over hit Falcón free kick and the ball rolled apologetically into the net. Colón slowly found their rhythm though, and equalised on 38 after poor defending gave Esteban Fuertes a free header expertly converted. The equaliser just before half-time knocked the stuffing out of Racing, and never really recovered. It was no surprise when Juan Manuel Lucero sealed the game for the home side early in the second half.

Full Results of Fecha 2:

Tragedy in Rosario:

A bus carrying back Newell’s Old Boys supporters Tuesday night after the loss at Tigre was stopped on the motorway after two tires burst, and fired upon by unidentified gunmen around 3am. A 14 year old fan travelling on the bus was hit three times in the head, and is now in a coma possibly brain dead and in a critical condition. Police suspect the culprits are members of a rival Newell’s “fan” faction, in an attack that has absolutely nothing to do with football and gives us yet another reminder why this element of Argentine football must be destroyed.

Hero of the Week:

Denis Stracqualursi: The good folk of Gimasia L.P had waited a long time for a win over their hated rivals Estudiantes, indeed at the moment for a win over any team. Stracqualursi’s two smartly taken strikes ensure bragging rights in La Plata for el lobo for the next six months at least, and for one half of the city at least he’s become an instant hero.

Boludos of the Week:

Present at the Chacarita-River Plate game Thursday night, it was pretty obvious that Chaca’s black Uruguayan midfielder Daniel Pereira was having a poor game- loose in possession, frequent mistakes and a lack of ambition when going forward. This is no excuse however for the racial abuse he received from sections of the Chacarita support, who greeted his mistakes with whistles and shouts of ‘negro de mierda’ (black shit). Come on lads, these are your own players there’s no place for that.

Well, that’s the second fecha pretty much done and dusted. My apologies if your team didn’t make it on here this week but obviously they didn’t do enough to interest me, try harder next week. I’m off to get Argentine citizenship and see if I can squeak into Maradona’s next Argentina squad. Suerte!!