Boca Juniors continued their winning ways as they defeated Estudiantes in a high-power octane match that saw both the first and second place teams face off against each other in the early stages of the 2006 Apertura.

Boca, playing at home in La Bombonera, kept the clean sheet glowing white as they remain undefeated with the maximum 15 points from 5 games.

Boca striker, Palacio opened the scoring in the first half as he reacted quickest to a scramble ball after Palermo kept alive a Boca corner with a towering header at the back post that deflected to the feet of the opportunistic, rat-tail striker, who pounced and scored on Estudiantes’ goal-mouth doorstep.

Estudiantes then lost their cool as coach, ex-Argentine International, Diego Simeone, was show the red card at half-time. The red cards continued in the second half as Estudiantes lost two players to red cards and kept Veron’s fightback modest at best. Palermo then added a second to secure the victory to the delight of the Boca faithful.

The storied team from Buenas Aires has now defeated both Independiente and Estudiantes, teams near the top of the table, and look to keep the streak alive against Gimnasia la Plata, which starts off a string of games against lower sides of the Argentine domestic league.

Palacio continued his scoring ways in mid-week for Boca as they are currently playing Sao Paulo in the Recopa, which pits the winner of the Copa Sudamericana (Boca) against the winner of the Copa Libertadores (Sao Paulo). Boca fought back at La Bombonera to win the first leg 2-1 with a brace from Palacio and hope to secure another trophy this upcoming week as they travel to Brazil for the second leg.

At this rate, Boca is poised to match the likes of undefeated Arsenal, but too many games remain to really set the table for this type of venture. Anyway, on current form, Boca would give the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona a serious run for their money.

Donadoni is a brave man to take over the management of reigning World Cup Germany 2006 Champions—sometimes when you are up, the only place to go is down. 

Donadoni definitely knows the heartbreak of defeat (remember the penalty anguish in the finals against Brazil at World Cup US 1990), yet Italy is banking on this bitter-sweet, Azzurri veteran, despite his limited coaching experience, to steer Italy on to more glory. 

Donadoni’s first move was as to call in the Italian no-names, who were defeated 2-0 in a politically charged warm-up match against Croatia. However, it was in their opening Group B 2008 European Championship Qualifier against Lithuania, when Donadoni fielded a return of World Cup winners, only to tie against the lowly side.

Inzaghi whitened the Italian blushes (thankfully) as he pulled a goal back to level the score, after Lithuania opened the scoring through Danilevicius, who finished off a neat passing sequence down the right that opened up the usually impenetrable Italian defense.

Italy’s next game against France is the perfect example of the beauty of soccer—pitting the Germany 2006 Finalists together again, so soon after their last histrionic final in July. 

France will feel somewhat avenged with their 3-1 dominance over a punch-drunk Italian side smarting from their World Cup hang-over. Playing at home in the Stade de France, Les Blues coasted to an easy victory behind a brace of goals from Govou and a single from Henry. Gilardino scored the consolation goal for Italy. 

The Italians, meanwhile, have pulled only 1 point from a possible 6 and find themselves in 6th place (out of seven teams), trailing behind the likes of France and unlikely upstarts, Scotland in the early days of Euro 2008 Qualifiers. 

The delayed start to the Italian domestic league has done little to give Donadoni fit players, which may prove to be another thorn in his side, as he looks to face a tough Ukraine side on October 7th, who opened with 3 points with a victory over Georgia.

Unfortunately, ex-Milan legend, Donadoni may have to wait until the following Wednesday, when Italy faces Georgia, to record his first victory for the Azzurri.

To read Sept. 08 06 Edition, Click here

He’s back! Martin Palermo has returned to Boca Juniors and a celebration of dominance and goal scoring has put Boca back on the World Football Dominance Matrix. 

He is inspiring performances that recall his single handed defeat of European Champions Real Madrid many moons ago.  He has brought back the Midas touch, and everything he touches turns to goals.

Boca has welcomed him back from his European exile and drought, and they are looking to make it three Argentine League Championships in a row.  Martin has just fired in a hat-trick in the 7-1 demolition of San Lorenzo last week’s Week 4 fixture.  Boca sits on the top of the table undefeated with the maximum twelve points and many goals in their cookie-bag.

Next up is Estudiantes, who have also started out well, with their return of another Argentine great, Juan Sebastian Veron, and are tied for second just behind Independiente.

Martin will be looked for once again to provide the finishing touches. Something I am sure he still dreams to do for the National Team.  Perhaps his former coach, Basile, who is leaving Boca for the National Team will give him a call.

It has been timely that Arsenal has moved to grander grounds in their immaculate, new Emirates Stadium because it would be a shame for Highbury to have continued to be the grounds of a waning, underperforming Gunners outfit.

Is it just me, or do you also think Arsene Wenger’s is seeing vintage Arsenal past performances when he watches his current team play? You can only build for the future so long, don’t forget, Arsene, it’s also about the here and now.

An age has gone with the closing of Highbury, and the future is uncertain as Wenger’s youth formula has been able to register only a point from their first two EPL fixtures [tie against Aston Villa, defeat to Man. City] against less-than-stellar opponents. 

I know that it is early days, but Arsenal’s dominate days of old are now a far cry away from their current youthful squad as they go into a must-win match against an inconsistent Middlesbrough side that has already defeated last year Champions, Chelsea. 

Arsene’s late move to secure the defensive abilities of his compatriot, defender William Gallas and the Brazilian tank, Julio Baptista, is only Arsenal’s second and third signings, as Wenger also brought in Thomas Rosicky earlier in the summer.  While the players are definite quality, Arsenal is still two-big name players short of becoming a dominant force once again in the champions’ race.

Even the most faithful Gunner must question the club’s ambition.  It seems that Arsenal has lost their talisman and cannot replace that determination and flair to succeed—the loss of ex-captain, Patrick Viera has been such a huge knock from which Arsenal has yet to recover.

Maybe the youngsters have too much flair, or Arsene has lost his touch and his stingy selection ways that have kept the likes of Wiltord, Bergkamp, and Kanu on the bench to snatch up the leftovers left in the wake of Thierry Henry. 

The glue that kept the Gunners firing has disappeared, and the gunpowder has gone missing.  The goals aren’t flowing, and Arsene seems more generous now and willing to give players second and extended chances—how else can you justify Hleb’s constant inclusion in the side.  Besides if you take a closer look—Rosicky, Fabregeas, and Hleb are the same type of player and will never work out in the same midfield.

Ljungberg needs to get well soon, and Thierry Henry has yet to instill any personality within the side as Arsenal captain.  It’s about time somebody said something about Arsenal…I just don’t want my perfect dream to fade…

Yes, I am not afraid to say that I jump on a band wagon or two. I have my teams that I am 100% loyal too; however—Football being interesting—I jump on a few ships of teams destined for praise and glory.

They call people who do this fair weather fans. When the weather is fair, we all come out to play. When there is bad weather a foot, a few losses, a few ties—well, we are all calling in a mayday, looking to jump ship in search for sunnier seas to sail.

Is this a problem? I think not, as long as any team has its base of devoted fans, they should welcome anyone else who is just along for the ride even if it is for only five minutes.

Why is five minutes enough for a fan to be on the boat? Because five minutes is long enough for them to buy a shirt. Yes, that sweet revenue made from being a winner. You not only get a trophy, but you get 25% more people buying and wearing your gear.

For Arsenal, the black cloud has been hovering over London for a year now and to hear Thierry Henry say on the last game of the season with a sense of accomplishment that undoubtedly they are fourth in the Premiership, and in the Champions League Finals, will not wash with many people who have climbed aboard.

Fourth as an accomplishment doesn’t sell you shirts or make people go out of their way to watch your specific team. Fourth gets you turned off in the first 15 minutes when you see where the game is going.

Wenger, fair weather can’t take rebuilding, fair weather can only take winning.

Many of you say, well who needs the fair weather? You guys can all go jump in a lake! Well, I agree. I am just upset that it is Lake Chelsea that everyone is jumping in, and the beautiful game of the Immortals will be a memory of remember-when, Oh what a team they had!

So, this time I sign off with my eyes welling up, not because I am super sad about Arsenal, but because I have been up all night looking for a good deal on a Chelsea away jersey.

To read Sept. 02 06 Edition, Click here