We’ve seen this before (SM de SJ 2 – Argentinos 0)

There is no “news” to report. Nestor Gorosito, after 8 road matches at the helm of our beloved Bicho, has not won a single match. On the plus side, he only has to lead the team in to the bombonera to face Boca Juniors on Sunday…

Firstly, I am unable, fortunately and unfortunately, to find any video highlights of the match. So now you are dependent on me for analysis…oh boy.

What happened last week:

Nico Navarro‘s absence is already noticeable. The opening goal was allowed when Carrera palmed a hard shot into the middle of the box and Mario Bravo pounced on it and put it home. That was the second rebound he left in the middle of the box in the match, with the first one being headed meekly over the bar. It took plays like that for me to realize how professional and efficient Navarro was in many aspects.

Mirosevic might be made to disappear. The new right winger, Milovan Mirosevic (who is Chilean and NOT Serbian), was sent off in the first half after receiving two silly yellow cards–the first for an acting job by the keeper where he made it look like Mirosevic tripped him while he was kicking the ball and the second for having the ball touch his hand in a diving header attempt (I still doubt his intention on that play AND say that no player associated with Argentine football should ever be punished for a handball, for obvious reasons). Though this all appears harmless and relatively normal, it would not surprise me in the least if he is simply ushered away to the training facility and never heard from again, à la Saucedo (who?). As reported in Olé this morning, the coaching staff claims that his replacement will either be Nestor Oritgoza (not that road again…), Juan Mercier (not a sufficient replacement on the offensive end), and Martin Cabrera (yay!!! soccer hair!!!). Updates as they arrive.

The struggles on the road are real and frightening. It was cute last year; they won almost every match at home and lost almost every match on the road, generally in embarrassing fashion. Now they have started this campaign by losing 2-0 on the road to one of the worst teams in the division. I cannot find any reasonable argument or reasoning for this to be taking place. Obviously homefield advantages exist in sports, but the difference in overall quality for the team between the matches at home and the matches on the road is appalling. If things don’t change, you can expect to see calls for Gorosito’s resignation right here. It’s simply unacceptable.

Delorte should not be allowed to step on the pitch. He is not a terrible, terrible player. Given the ball and some space, he can do things. In fact, I thought about it and he is probably quite impressive in practice…which is how he ends up on the field for the real matches. The problems really start when the only recourse for the team to move the ball closer to the opponent’s net is by long passes to him that are difficult for him to handle. He is unable to offer anything else to the offense, mostly due to his lack of speed and his ridiculous slowness.

Central midfield needs an overhaul. Part of the problem with Delorte is that Roberto Battión is not able to be the link between the defense and forwards, though that is his assigned task. He is not a quick thinker and often makes very poor touches. There are other options available, such as the long forgotten Gonzalo Prósperi, and a change needs to be made, and soon.

Other than that, everyone sucked. Horrible.

In lieu of proper highlights, here is a video that instead represents what it feels like to be a fan of this team (lofty expectations, quick and painful falls, but you can’t keep us down unless you take our wheel away).

Category: Summary

Tags: Summary

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