River Plate striker Gabriel Funes Mori (AP Photo)

The Argentine league is off and running and there was a dose of excitement throughout the weekend as they began using the Jabulani. 

With the exception of Gimnasia-San Lorenzo and Godoy Cruz-Boca, every other match had a one-goal difference.  Some teams showed their stuff as was the case with Vélez Sarsfield who also won with ease.  Others like recently promoted All Boys played well, but lost to Banfield 2-1.

The teams showed their intentions to play and rust, amid extremely cold conditions.   But the most impressive side this weekend was Vélez Sarsfield as they dominated an Independiente side that was being penciled in as a contender for the title this semester.

River Plate was disappointing in their home debut against Tigre and they were looking to avenge their 5-1 loss to the boys from the Delta in their Clausura finale.  For well over 90 minutes they battled and had problems cracking the Tigre backline.  It would take another brilliant play by Ariel Ortega and former Dallas FC youth player Gabriel Funes Mori headed the ball home.  There was a dose of controversy as Tigre coach Ricardo Caruso Lombardi  was sent off after he was arguing about the fact that Ortega supposedly fouled a player en route to the game-winner. 

Boca Juniors would debut on the road and would fall behind early on in Mendoza against Godoy Cruz, but Lucas Viatri would equalize in the 21st minute.  This match was probably one of the more exciting ones of the weekend.  Omar Asad once again had to be looked at as a coach that fielded yet another competitive squad and looks to be in the running or will at least make lots of the noise in the Apertura.

Claudio Borghi's side looked rusty at first but after the Viatri goal the team did a good job to gel and create opportunities in the end.  In the final minutes, Boca suffered and Godoy Cruz had chances hit off the post and miss by inches. 

Vélez shows style, River suffer as Apertura kicks off

While most of us are busy with the world cup, Daniel Passarella is working hard to please the needs of Angel Cappa. This Week River has secured the services of Jonathan Maidana and Walter Acevedo, the operation will be closed for a reported U$ 5 Million; the money will come from an investor group.



Jonathan Maidana, 24, started his professional career in Los Andes, where he played 37 games and scored 3 goals. In 2005 he was transferred to Boca Juniors, where he remained until 2008. During his 3 years in the club, he played 44 games and scored 1 goal, helping the club earn 4 titles (1 League title, 1 Recopa Sudamericana, 1 Copa Sudamericanas and 1 Copa Libertadores). In 2008 he was transferred to the Metalist Kharkiv of Ukraine for a reported U$ 3,150,000. In 2010 he was loaned to Banfield (Argentine), but the club did not make use of the buyout clause.

Maidana is a versatile central defender, strong and good in the air. He admitted earlier this week his desire to join River Plate next season. This signing grants one of Angel Cappa’s wishes, of having a experienced central defender to couple with Alexis Ferrero.

Walter Acevedo, also 24, joins the club after a successful season with Independiente, where he only missed one game due to a yellow card limit. Acevedo started his career in San Lorenzo de Almagro in 2005. In 2009, he was also transferred to the Metalist Kharkiv of Ukraine, to join Independiente on loan 6 months later.



Acevedo is a strong central midfielder, with great pressing ability. One of his best qualities is the long range shot, also a free kick specialist. He is the man Passarella will trust to give some breathing room to Matias Almeyda.

Both players are young, and with a bright future. The idea is for them to remain in the club for 2-3 years before being transferred to Europe again.

It is also expected that next week the club seals the transfers for Marcos Perez and Josepmir Ballon, as well as Juan Pablo Carrizo.

River Plate sign Jonathan Maidana and Walter Acevedo

Buenos Aires, Argentina – June 1st 2010

It is no secret that River Plate is going through some tough times, but as a club and as an institution. Daniel Passarella, president of the institution, decided not to travel to South Africa in his role of Vice President of AFA to remain in Buenos Aires and fix some of the problems in the club.

The main objective was to bring the Juventus-duo; Trezeguet and Camoranessi. However, the financial problems of the club did not allow negotiations to go through. The same financial problems have stuck the negotiations for Juan Pablo Carrizo, Mario Bolatti and Matias DeFederico.

In order to re-strengthen the squad, River started looking for players on a loan basis. The first three players that could sign for “El Millonario” this season are Josepmir Ballon, Leandro Caruso and Marcos Perez.

River and the Universidad de San Martin de Porres have already agreed on the transfer of the Peruvian International Josepmir Ballon. Initially, Ballon would arrive to River on a year loan for U$250,000, with the option of acquiring 50% of the player’s rights after the loan is over for U$750,000. “His arrival will only depend on an agreement between the player and the club” said Alvaro Barco, general director of the USMP. The 22 year old midfielder comes to the club to contest Matias Almeyda, captain and idol of the club.



Leandro Caruso admitted today that negotiations with River Plate are in progress, and that he expects to have positive feedback in the next few days. During an interview with Argentine media giant TyC Sports, Caruso admitted contact with both Daniel Passarella and Angel Cappa. Caruso, is expected to return to Italy to join Udinese for pre-season, however the interest from River Plate could change things, especially considering the fact that the Italian club is after several River Plate youngsters. Initially he would also arrive to the club on loan for one year.



The revelation of the Clausura 2010 was Marcos Perez. The Colombian International was key for Gimnasia LP to remain in first division. In the last couple of weeks his name had been linked to clubs like Boca Juniors, and Estudiantes de La Plata. However, Daniel Passarella has taken the necessary measures to contact Full Play, the company that manages his rights and a loan is already being negotiated. Perez would arrive on loan for one year with a buy option of U$2,500,000. If successful Perez would become the third Colombian center forward to join the club (Angel and Falcao). Upon his arrival, Gustavo Canales could depart to Colon de Santa Fe as part of a debt River holds with Colon.



Cappa also requested a goalkeeper, and after making unsuccessful efforts for Juan Pablo Carrizo and Justo Villar, Passarella is going after Gaston Monzon, the young goalkeeper of Huracan. Monzon was part of Cappa’s famous Huracan that gave birth to the tiki-tiki.

River begins to give shape to the new squad; we are 2 months away from the beginning of the Apertura and anything can happen. River may even surprise and brake the market in a surprise signing.

Ballon, Caruso and Perez could sign with River Plate this week

Juventus duo Mauro Camoranesi and David Trezeguet are linked with a moved to Argentine giant River Plate. Los Millonarios are facing one of the worst negative streaks in the history of the club, and the only solution will be to bring high profile players, including Camoranesi and Trezeguet.

Both players have supported the club since a young age, and have expressed their feeling to join the club. The Argentine born duo could bring back the glory the club needs.

Juventus also seems to be interested in the young star of River Plate, Diego Buonnanote, who was linked with Atletico Madrid before the summer.

Camoranesis agent, Sergio Fortunato, has admitted contact with River Plate and said that the possibility of his client joining River plate are great.

This June the world cup will be played in South Africa, but soon after, it could arrive to Nunez.

Juventus duo could land in River Plate

With only two games left in the season, Angel Cappa has a clear idea in mind of what he wants his squad to look like next season. He has asked the board for four reinforcements for next season, including one goalkeeper, a defender, a central midfielder and a center forward.

He has asked the board to also extend Ariel Ortega’s contract, however he has put in doubt the continuity of Marcelo Gallardo and Matias Almeyda; The 36 year old and current captain of the squad is a fan favorite and one of the most regular players in the squad. Cappa said he does not picture Almeyda in the starting eleven, especially if the club seals the arrival of the Argentine International Mario Bolatti. Almeyda expressed his feelings to retire with the River Plate jersey despite having offers from the MLS, he has even stated that he would be willing to fight for a spot like the rest of the team.

In the next couple of days River hopes to finalize the agreement with an important investment group, the money will be used solely to improve the squad for next season, let’s not forget River will start next season in “direct relegation”.
River plans to break the market and sign players like David Trezeguet, Mauro Camoranesi, Andres D’Alesandro, Matias DeFederico, Mario Bolatti, Paolo Goltz and Juan Pablo Carrizo.

The French striker, who happens to be a River Plate fan, has expressed his desire to finish his career in River Plate, the main issue will be his salary, it will be hard for River to compete against other European clubs, but the club seems optimistic to seal the arrival of the former Juventus.

Camoranesi also finishes his contract with Juventus, the club has announced they will not renew his contract after being with the club for eight years. His agent, Sergio Fortunato, released the fact that there are three clubs interested in signing the Argentine-Italian midfielder, including Lyon, Cruz Azul and River Plate. Some say that Mauro has already reached an agreement with Daniel Passarella and would join River after the world cup. At age 33 he wants to return to Argentina, and finish his career in River Plate, club he also happens to be a follower of, like David Trezeguet.

Some of the players that will leave the squad are Oscar Ahumada to Veracruz, Diego Barrado, Gustavo Cabral, Marcelo Gallardo, Gustavo Canales, Rodrigo Archubi, Galmarini, Andres San Martin and Loeschbor.

It is also rumored that Sampdoria will offer 8 Million Euros for Rogelio Funes Mori, the 19 year old striker that astonished everyone against Boca Juniors this past summer. The club would most likely accept the offer, since he has not yet “exploded” his potential, and River is in no position to wait.

Along with the signings, Cappa plans to use bring out the best from players like Diego Buonannote, Facundo Afranchino, Pereyra, Mauro Diaz, Ciriliano, Daniel Villalba and Rogelio Funes Mori.

Two players that could return to the Club are Cristian Nasutti and Patricio Toranzo. Both would be welcome by the coach, especially Toranzo, one of the Pillars of Cappa’s squad in Huracan.

The future looks bright. Cappa and Passarella are qualified to get River out of this position, let’s hope Boca Juniors does the same thing, for the sake of Argentine Football.

River begins to think about the future