Left field
The Reuters global sports blog
Boca put River in their place
The result of the year’s first “superclasico” was logical with first division champions Boca Juniors beating second-division River Plate 2-0.
But Wednesday night’s friendly – an unprecedented clash with one of the two giants of the Argentine game in the second tier — was also something of an anti-climax after the massive build.
Argentina’s biggest soccer rivalry, whether they are playing an off-season warm-up as in this case or a decisive Libertadores Cup clash or anything in between, puts all others in the shade.
It was played in the steamy northern city of Resistencia in the sub-tropical Chaco province with massive police control to keep the hard-core element among their fans, bitter enemies, to their word that there would be no trouble.
As it happened, one of River’s senior players, former Russia-based midfielder Alejandro Dominguez, could have sparked trouble with his insulting gestures to Boca fans as he eventually and reluctantly trudged off following a red card.
“Chori” Dominguez, who should have known better, lost his self control and reacted badly to a booking, clamouring about Boca fouls and accusing the referee of bias which earned him the dismissal.
from Reuters Soccer Blog:
The Ogre breathes fresh life into Argentine football
Weighing in at nearly 100 kilos is the man who has brought some badly-needed charisma to Argentine domestic football.
Popularly-known as the Ogre, because of a supposed likeness to the animated film character Shrek, Cristian Fabbiani has become a cult figure for his ability to alternate moments of brilliance with others of near comedy (such as a miss for Newell's Old Boys that became cult viewing on YouTube).
The fact that he is somewhat chubby for a footballer adds to the fascination.
According to his new club River Plate, Fabbiani has 96 kilos spread around his 1.89 metre frame. However, after joining River from Newell's Old Boys, coach Nestor Gorosito said he was initially three kilos overweight, bringing him close to the impressive three-figure mark.
Unlike Brazil's Ronaldo, who has often been sensitive to suggestions that he carries a few kilos too many, Fabbiani uses his physique to bulldoze past opponents and laughs off suggestions that he is fat.
"When they say I'm fat, it makes me play better," he said. "I try not to go back to my mum's house because there's always a lot of food and it's too much temptation."
His directness is a refreshing break in a country where players take the bland statement of the obvious to new extremes and where their banalities are eagerly snapped up by two 24-hour sports channels with too much airtime to fill.
