The Argentine star Juan Roman Riquelme has done it again. Last night, in front of a packed Minerao stadium in Brazil, Riquelme and Boca pulled off what few have dared.
Playing for the Libertadores Cup, Argentine side Boca Juniors beat Brazilian side Cruzeiro at Cruzeiro's home stadium 2-1 ending the Brazilian team's campaign.
To put this in perspective Cruzeiro had not lost to another team at home for the Libertadores in some 33 years. Counting last night, Cruzeiro, who are former world club champions and responsible for the origin of football legend Ronaldo, had only lost three times ever at home in the Libertadores.
Boca went about their business calmly and efficiently mirroring their great play-maker Riquelme. Riquelme participated in both goals and just about everything else seemingly without even breaking a good sweat.
Boca Juniors seem to be heading for the double this year much like they did last year booting out Brazil's Gremio also at Gremio's home stadium. In reality Boca has won their last 10 encounters against Brazilian opposition in knockout type games for the Libertadores.
Perhaps the only ones who can stop Boca is Emperor Adriano's Sao Paulo but this is left to be seen.
The burning question is, should Boca qualify once more for Tokyo, will FIFA and Villareal ban Riquelme once more from playing in the final, as was the case against Milan last year?
Will the world be deprived of seeing one of the best, if not indeed the best? Few possess his subtle touch. Not since the likes of Maradona, Romario or Baggio have football fans been able to appreciate such skilful grace highlighting the beautiful side of the sport.
In other matches Flamengo lost at the Maracana to their Mexican opponents America in shocking style 3-0 losing on aggregate 5-4 and also exiting the Libertadores.
Flamengo won the State championship at the weekend and as is usually the case with fans and directors seemed to give more importance to their local tournament than the Libertadores as only a handful of fans even showed up for the America match in contrast to some 88 thousand for the Botafogo derby.
Sao Paulo beat Uruguay's Nacional 2-0 with a neat little Adriano first goal and now go on to meet their Rio rivals Fluminense.
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5 months ago
Thanks for the updates. Some interesting info too.
from 5 months ago
Thanks dude. I`m really sorry my last article got lost....I predicted that Flamengo would give little attention to the Libertadores and last night`s results would have given me a chance for a follow-up article. Ahh well....... sigh.
from 5 months ago
Keep your chin up. I'm sure you can get more things right.
5 months ago
I saw the goals of that game and the previous one where Riquelme himself scored.
Bloody legend he is..
5 months ago
Personal Opinion - I don't think much of Riquelme, just saying that's all.
from 5 months ago
thats all well and good. Did you, by any chance, watch his world cup performances? I personally think they were BRILLIANT...
from 5 months ago
No doubt that not just Riquelme but Argentina were the best in 2006 and continue to be the best side.
Brazil will face them in June at that very same Minerao stadium. I have no doubt that currently Riquelme, Messi and Tevez have a huge edge on Kaka,Ronaldinho and Robinho.
I am bracing myself for the shame of losing at home and I also don`t intend to go to that match.
I hope that somehow our boys can get their heads out of the contracts and bank accounts and actually play some ball!!
5 months ago
I do prefer the players from Argentina over the Brazilians but Riquelme (as good as he has been) drifts out of games when it gets tough. He's your classic No. 10 free ranging going forward and pulling all the strings but tackling back has never been his thing. In tight games that makes it that much tougher on the team. I agree with you about the World Cup 2006 though. Pure class but he needed Cambiasso next to him to give him the freedom.
from 5 months ago
Brazil is better overall .....just is just a little bad patch we are going through. Much like England.
The old stars need to make room for the new ones.
Pato gives me some hope.
5 months ago
Riquelme is a genius, no doubt about that. He is the only player in the world in my opinion who plays the game completely at his own pace. When he was/is in form for Villarreal, and Argentina, they were/are a joy to watch.
Its good that he has recovered his form back home after a dry spell in Europe, where he was treated a little unfairly (or his ego was too big?).
His problem in my opinion is that you have to build your team completely around him to get the best out of him, and not many coaches are willing to do that anywhere in the world, its no coincidence though that when a coach does take that chance, he is richly rewarded with great performances and a fluid team.
from 5 months ago
Very well put Simon. I totally agree with everything you said. Shame that he is getting on in age.
I was a bit peeved at him not playing against Milan to say the least. Till today no one anywhere in the world can give me a really good answer as to why. It`s like twin peaks (don`t know if you`re familiar with that) You mention the incident and they go on about the contract and just push it away.
and it is the latter regarding Europe....his ego! But the good thing is this same ego is driving him to destroy everyone in the Libertadores and I really believe he`ll go to Tokyo again.
Let`s see how this plays out.
If they let him play it will be Boca vs ManU or Chelsea in the final I bet. Quite a clash even for an off season game or whatever.
Without him however just like you said Boca play like an orphan side.
5 months ago
Once again S B provides us Europeans with an insight into the South American domestic game. I wish I could keep up with it myself!
Just a quick question, how has Adriano slotted in at Sao Paolo? Is he rediscovering his form?
from 5 months ago
Hi jonathan,
Yes Adriano is slowly regaining form but has some low moments. It may be that people expect too much of him(including myself)....if it were any other player I`d probably say `Yeah he`s great`
The goal he scored last night was a beauty if you look close in slow motion. He switched it from the the right foot to the left in a flash before finishing. Bound to confuse any keeper.
5 months ago
i did yes, and they were great, but like i said, it's just my opinino and everyone is entitled to theirs.
from 5 months ago
Quite right Michael. My dream is a ManU vs Boca match in tokyo so we can see a clash of styles. Prolific goal scorer and pace vs subtle touches and slow motion perfection.
I`ll get my chicken wings,picanha barby and lots of beer to take that one in.
5 months ago
Love that player love that player...
Watching him for Argentina in the past 10 months has been a real treat...
Alby Jnr
5 months ago
cheers Alby
5 months ago
Man Utd vs Boca, i would love to see that.
5 months ago
e nos vamo ganha boca enos na fita [
vc consegue.....
dalw boca
nao deixe o santo ganhar de vcs
sok penak vc robaram nocampeonato passado
contra o gemio
hehehehe
hehehehehehehehehehehe
dalw gremio!!!!!!
e nois hum....agora sim keu toesso pro boca juniors
hehehehehe.....
dale gremio......
maskm robo msm
foi ojuis nao vcs dalw bocajuniors..... e gremio ...???
e vida e fudida como tds nos
tem autos e bixos entao vamo vamo boca....flw
so escrevi isso pqkrok o tempo passe rapido
.....
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