Nacional B 2007/08
Belgrano celebrate the winning goal (Photo source: LMCBA)
Belgrano kept their promotion hopes very much alive after securing an unlikely win against Ben Hur
in Rafaela. With Ben Hur desperately fighting to avoid relegation and Belgrano needing a win to
help them close in on the promotion spots, it promised to be an exciting match.
Dejected Belgrano players (Photo source: LMCBA)
Belgrano wasted a great chance to get a hold of third position after going down to an efficient
display by the visiting team. The home team started positively and were trying to take the game to
Quilmes but this only lasted for 10 minutes. Giampietri (Q) gradually started to boss the midfield
and spread the ball out to the wingers.
San Martin celebrate a goal (Photo source: LMCBA)
It was always going to be a tall order against the leaders at their home ground but Belgrano must
have left disappointed knowing that they had everything to win the match and yet they let it slip
from their hands. The first twenty minutes saw Belgrano produce the best chances against a solid
but ineffectual San Martin.
The players show their frustration (Photo source: LMCBA)
Belgrano proved yet again unable to take their chances to record a much-needed win and had to
settle for a draw against the relegation-threatened Nueva Chicago. With this result, Belgrano are
now in 6th position and they not only need a win in the last round but also a combination of
results if they are to reach either the 3rd or 4th spot.
Belgrano produced a miraculous recovery from 1-0 down in the first half to earn themselves a hugely
important 2-1 victory with late goals from Suarez and Gigli. The victory means that Belgrano ended
fourth in the tournament and will play two promotion legs to contend for a place in the top flight.
More to follow.
Belgrano produced a fine display to earn the first victory of 2008 against Almirante Brown. The
match was played at a capacity-crowd Gigante de Alberdi. Suarez and Bustos were the goalscorers.
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Belgrano were clear favourites for this match and the team made sure to back the pre-match odds.
Although it wasn't always easy for Belgrano, they ended up controlling the match and the winning
margin could have been larger. But the first half started with the CAI keeping Belgrano at bay by
using a solid and intelligent display. The Belgrano wingers, Manzanelli and Garcia, were totally
ineffectual and so Belgrano couldn't create any chances.
Belgrano's unbeaten run came to an end at the hands of Godoy Cruz. Although it was expected to be
an exciting and open match, both teams lacked quality and played a dull encounter. In fact, had
Olave not faltered, the match should have been a goalless draw. The opening 10 minutes were the
best of the match and both teams traded good scoring chances.
Belgrano produced a solid and efficient display emerging victorious in the derby against Instituto.
The albirrojos started better holding the ball and pushing towards the goal but Belgrano held their
nerve. While Instituto had some half-chances Belgrano waited patiently for the counter-attack. The
first goal came courtesy of a fantastic play by Matias Suarez dribling past two defenders and
nutmegging the goalkeeper.
Belgrano opened their home fixture in the best possible way by outplaying Chacarita Juniors and
beating them by one goal to nil. Expectations were high and the fans wanted to see a good display
by Belgrano. The players didn't disappoint as they started well controlling the ball in the
midfield aided by Lux and Pietravallo. But it was soon clear that Suarez was not seeing enough of
the ball and so chances were few and far between.
Belgrano - Quilmes
Stadium: Olimpico de Cordoba
Thursday, 22 May 2008, 21:10
Referee: Alejandro Castro
Odds: 1.81 (H), 3.11 (D), 4.22 (A)
Previous: Quilmes 2 - Belgrano 1
Key Players: Suarez (B), Pontiroli (Q)
Recent History: Belgrano won two of the last three.
Belgrano - Nueva Chicago
Stadium: Olimpico de Cordoba
Saturday, 07 June 2008, 15:10
Referee: Federico Beligoy
Odds: 1.67 (H), 3.25 (D), 5 (A)
Previous: Nueva Chicago 1 - Belgrano 3
Key Players: Olave (B), Zermatten (NC)
Recent History: Nueva Chicago won 5, drew and lost only 1
Prediction: It's a MUST WIN game.
San Martin (T) - Belgrano
Stadium: Estadio La Ciudadela
Monday, 02 June 2008, 21:00
Referee: Javier Ruiz
Odds: 2.05 (H), 3.3 (D), 4.3 (A)
Previous: Belgrano 2 - San Martin 3
Key Players: Campodonico (SM), Suarez (B)
Recent History: In 17 games, Belgrano won 6, lost 5 and drew 6
Prediction: San Martin 1 - Belgrano 1
Defensa y Justicia - Belgrano
Stadium: Norberto "Tito" Tomaghello
Saturday, 14 Jun 2008, 13:30
Referee: Leandro Bottoni
Odds: 2.25 (H), 3.25 (D), 2.8 (A)
Previous: Belgrano 3 - Defensa y Justicia 0
Key Players: Sabadia (DyJ), Suarez (B)
Recent History: Belgrano won 4 and drew 2 out of the last six
Prediction: It's all or nothing.
Belgrano will look to extend their unbeaten run when they travel to Mendoza to face Godoy Cruz at
Malvinas Argentinas stadium .Belgrano have always struggled against El Bodeguero and they will need
to put in a solid display if they want to come away with some points. Although Godoy Cruz have not
impressed so far, they are always difficult to beat at their stadium.
Well, not really much of a derby as one of our city rivals. Instituto hosts Belgrano in Saturday's
clash and it promises to be a big match. Instituto are looking for their first victory and Belgrano
are trying to build on their recent good form. Ferraro has confirmed that he will play the same
team that defeated Chacarita Juniors, while Instituto may have some changes.
After the somewhat disappointing draw against Almirante Brown, Belgrano are eagerly waiting for the
next home match against Chacarita Juniors. The team is likely to go with a 4-4-1-1 due to the
inclusion of Juan Casado (replacing Claudio Bustos) as the playmaker. Matias Suarez will be the man
upfront. As always, Chacarita are contenders for promotion and we will have to play well if we want
to get the three points.
Belgrano deserved better (Photo source: LaVoz)
Heartbreak. When you know you were so close and it just vanished. Because Belgrano played with
heart, passion and discipline and dominated Racing Club during large passages of the game. Belgrano
had no less than four clear goal chances and they pushed Racing to their limit but it just wasn't
going to happen today.
Racing Club - Belgrano
Stadium: Cilindro de Avellaneda
Sunday, 29 June 2008, 15:10
Referee: Sergio Pezzotta
Odds: not available
Previous: Belgrano 1 - Racing Club 1
Key Players: Sava (RC), Gigli (B)
Recent History: Belgrano have only won once at Racing's ground
Prediction: Racing Club 1 - Belgrano 2
The Rest
Here's to my attempt of keeping this blog alive! Well, at least that will be my intention
throughout this year. Now onto some interesting stuff.
Belgrano finished the year on a high with two (much needed) consecutive victories but still far
from the top spots. It was clear that the pronounced slump Belgrano suffered hit the team, fans and
management hard.