Ok, we do Journeyman

A two faced month. We started of with a very good game against Tigre, but somehow we failed to find the net. Next we played a poor match against Atl. Rafaela, but got three cheap goals to make it look easy. Then a great match against Liga de Quito for the Copa Sudamericana, punishing them for the defeat in the Copa Libertadores last season. Against Hurecán we where the better side but gave away the goals cheap and where punished of a horror mistake by Jules Goda to even lose the match. Against Velez we went up 0-3 withing 15 minutes, but somehow this wasn't enough to win. So we are dropping valuable points. In the league we are one point behinde the leaders with a game in hand, but it could and should have been much better.

That loss from Huracan must have hurt - other than that, a great start on the league. A win on the game in hand will put you on first place again.

Why Copa Sudamericana this year? I thought you had qualified for Copa Libertadores.

GreekExpress: Not a nice lose as we had the opper hand all the time. The Copa Sudamericana follows the second league halve, where the Copa Libertadores follows the first season halve.






An other month drawed to an end. We started of great, with a win over rivals Boca Juniors. Followed by a bit of disappointing draw against San Lorenzo. The return against Liga de Quito was a formality so I send my reserves onto the pitch, whom even manage to get a draw. The important match against Independientes we got lucky with a over time goal to draw. The next draw away against Boca Juniors in the quatre final of the Copa Sudamericane was a good result giving us a decent chance to get through. And last match we got a very good win again Rosario Central who are high flying in the league. So eventho there when four draws in six matches it was a decent month. which leaves open all to play for.

7 games left and it's Independiente and you, although the other teams are not that far. The team has shown consistency, so I am sure you can do it - November will be crucial. Great game against Boca on Copa Sudamericana as well - hope you can make it to the semi-finals.

good start to the season mate good luck winning the league !

GreekExpress: Yeah the title race is deffinitly on, and besdides the point we also have the goaldifference in our favour. November will be a huge month for us.

George: It has been a great season this far, maybe there slipped one or two draws by that could have been better, but now its up to us to get the rewards.






What a huge month it was and what a huge results we got!

It started off great with a brilliant victory over fierce rivals Boca Juniors. Outplaying them for the whole match infront of our home crowd gave us the semi-final qualifications in the Copa Sudamericana.

With two quick goals in the second halve we brushed aside Belgrano, altho they did manage to get the tension back in the match we easily closed the game.

All Boys gave a hard day on the pitch, and it all looked like it would end square. But in stoppage time we got a very cheap penalty, and Semir Stilic tugged it home to win us the 3 points.

First match in the Semi-Final of the Copa Sudamericana things went our way. Bahia was better on the pitch and scored early. We pulled back with a well exicuted counter. After that it was time for Jules Goda to shine. He saved 6 clear cut chances including a 93th minute penalty save. Giving us a decent position for the home match.

Two set-piece goals by Jonathan Bottinelli saw off Independiente Rivadevia challenge getteing an easy 3-1 victory.

With a away match they dominated we wheren't all confidence for the return match against Bahia. But unlike the away match this time we had the upperhand. And we justly took the lead halve way the first half. But we failed to close the game and they got back into it ahlve way the second half. Both team not wanting to lose it went to penalties. We don't have a good track record scoring spot kicks, but Bahia made it easy for us missing 3 out of 4. Sowe pregress to the finals.

A tough match against Lanús was up next. With the fatige in the legs we didn't play like we usualy do, but a screamer by Lautaroo Chávez gave us the points, but we could have lost that game. But thats the mark of a champion, playing badly and still getting the points.

Last match of the month was the first leg of the final of the Copa Sudamericana. We preasured them from the first to the last minute. And altho it didn't seem to go our way in the first halve, unable to score in numerous chances including a penalty, the second halve we sealed the game in a manner that we are almost certain the win the Cup 3-0.

So with november gone we are in the driver seat in the league and are about to win our first trophy. The preformance gave me an other MotM award. Awards are nice but I love silverwork.

What a fantastic month for you!! You need to "suicide" not to win the league and just a professional performance at Cruzeiro will be enough for you to lift the Copa Sudamericana.

GreekExpress: Your right it ours to lose now. Just a couple of decent results and we got the silver work.






Running onto the home stretch we didn't stumble. We got 9 points of our remaining 3 matches in the league and brought home the Copa Sudamericane eventho we lost the away leg 2-0. So december is a month for cheers.











So with my main goals already achieved I decided to cash in on the olders players who refuced to extend there contracts.
Sold:
Ariel Rojas to Rosario Central for 750k
Leandro Chichizola to AC Milan for 500k plus 50% sell on clause.
Jonathan Bottelli to AJ Auxerre for 500k

As replacements I brought in Néstor Martínez and Esteban Bono from my own youth set-up to replace Leandro Chichizola and Jonathan Bottelli.To replace Ariel Rojas I am looking to buy someone else Luis Miguel Moyana will be promoted aswell.

Congratulations on winning the league and the Copa Sudamericana!!! It was a fantastic first half of season.
How are your young players doing?

GreekExpress: It was a very good first season halve. I accomplished all my goals in that season halve. The youngster are doing great. Normaly I have 8 palyers in the Agrentina U20, altho you only find 7 this time as Leandro Vega was injured. I think it will only be a matter of time before my first players will break into the Agentina main squad.






I had a decent run in the friendlies if you consider I missed 7 player to the Agentina U20 squad; 1 player to the African Nations Cup and had 2 player injured. So basicly I had my whole U20 squad blended in the main squad for the friendlies.

I brought in 1 player which I am going to retrain to a midfielder; Marcão. Further did I sign a familiar face from my former team Krympteplytsya Molodizhne; Pablo on a free transfer in the summer.

At the end of last year there where some spoils for our team. First we got Jonathan Bottelli making the South-American best player squad. Secondly we had Lautaroa Chávez get young player of the year, with Gina Benitez getting second place. And third Ramiro Navarro; Jonathan Bottelli and Semir Stilic made team of the year.

We started of the new season with a good win over rivals Racing Club, espacialy considering our internationals wheren't back yet. Against Colón we scored 3 times but it proved to be insufficient to get any points. As the match was even its a bit of a disappointment. Next match the one goal provided enough, and I can only blame my team not scoring more goals. We had a lot of the ball against Arsenal die Sarandi, but we seemed helpless going forward so a draw was probably a just result. We started of the Copa Libertadores with a solid 3-0 win, which gives us momentum in what looks like a very tough group again. Last match of the month we got a regular victory over Tigre.

Not a bad start - Colon can't keep winning and the other teams will drop points too.

I like your experiment trying to retrain Marcao to a midfielder - how is he responding? I am planning to do almost the same: will retrain a midfielder to a striker once the team is back from holidays.

What is your starting line up at the moment?

GreekExpress: The retraining started of good, but now Marcão has picked up an injury. So its on a hold now, but he has already akward on the Mc position and is scoring good average ratings. My Selection and Tactic.






Not the best of month. It started with a lose against Atléthico de Rafaela due to three conceded penalties. This was followed by a brilliant 0-3 win over Lanús in the Copa Libertadores. Next matches we just couldn't win aginst Velez and not even against Boca Unidos (2nd league nr. 20), fortunatly we beat them on penalties. Against Santos in the Copa Libertadores we got of to a flying start, scoring twice within 5 minutes. It proved to be enough altho the soccer we played was bad. Next up fierce rivals Boca Juniors. I decided to trow away that game as we had a lot of tired players and an other match two day later. So I started with my reserves. The gamble payed of as we where able to win next match. My main focus for the rest of the season will be at the both cups, and not to drop to far in the league.



For next season I have loaded the English and Spanish league as I plan a move towards a major European league. I dropped Scotland and Ukraine

Not a really good month...the league is slipping away. Maybe you should focus your attention to Copa Libertadores.

Thanks for the screenshot - is this the tactic that you used last year? I am stll loyal to my 4-1-3-2

Are you thinking of moving to England or Spain at the end of the season?

The plan was to focus on the cups, both Copa Libertadores and Copa Agentina. The 41221 tactic I have been using since I joined River, as they had good wingers. I always use a playmaker in my tactic when I use short passing to give the player with the ball an extra option. Depending on the option I want to move to one of the big competitions in Europe. Either England, Spain, Italy or Germany. But if I win the Copa Libertadores I might stick around for the World Team Championship.






This month we got back on track, our form improved dramaticly 7 wins 1 draw 1 loss. It moved us up to 5th spot in the league and we are only 3 points behinde the second place spot. Boca Juniors ran away this season with the league. But more important we qualified for both the next round of the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Argentina. In the copa Libertadores we get Bolivian squad Deportivo Oriente Petrolero. And we get Unión in the quatre Final of the Copa Argentina.

With the most insane month ever in my manager career the season comes to a close. With no less then 11 matches played in 30 days (6 matches in last 10 day), the fixture list murdered us. Considring that I feel we did rather well. We got through to the Copa Libertadores Semi-Final by beating Oriente Petrolero 4-2 agg. and Belgrano 5-2 agg. Disappointing was to crash out of the Copa Agrentine losing 0-3 to Indenpedientes. The league was where the fixture list killed us most, only getting 8 point out of 15.



Other good/bad news is that the first of my youngster, Ramiro Navarro has been called up to the Argentina senior squad. But because of that he will probably miss the Copa Libertadores Semi-Final match against Mexican side Pachuca FC. And with him, I will also miss Jules Goda and Semir Stilic on interational duty.

Boca was unstoppable!! 18 wins in 19 games...no either had a chance!!

Good luck on the Copa Libertadores - hope you can get to the final and win it.

I know you want to return to Europe, but it would be fun to see you trying your luck somewhere else in South America, like Peru or Colombia!

GreekExpress: Boca was indeed beyond normal, and not catchable. I haven't made any definite decisions yet where I want to go next. Even staying is a reasanable option.




A couple of important things still needed to happen before the end of the season. First of all there is the Copa Libertadores Semi-Final. The away leg was only intresting for people with a sleeping problem. This match will be in the book know for how to fall a sleep within 90 minutes. Home leg was a total different story. We where domanant from start to finish and scored three goals to secure a spot in the final.



Next there was ofcourse the league final against Boca Juniors, as I won the first halve of the competition. In a match with high tension, because Boca and River are fierce rivals, we started of better then Boca Juniors and where unfortunate not to get a goal before half time. Right after the restart we took the lead and looked very comfortable, but on the hour mark Boca stepped in on a bad pass and scored from the counter. With both team now going for gold, the rest of the match was real open and chances where there on both sides. But 10 minutes before time Lautaro Chávez brought us the title.




Last but not least the first of my youngsters made his Argentine debut.

well on wining the final mate !

Congratulations on winning the title - looking forward to the Copa Libertadores final next month!

George: Thanks mate.

GreekExpress: It was very pleasing to win the Final, especialy as Boca was the favorites considering there 2nd season halve run. The date on the final is just crap, players are just back from holliday and all transfers out will be done, so basicly you have a handicapped squad with-out firntess.




First leg of the final of the Copa Libertadores we have to travel to Porto Alegre. But due to the fixture is set just after we get back from hollidays, its hard to get the players fit enough to play. Further the players I wanted to sell are already gone while the replacements aren't elegible. So my hopes wheren't to high but we manage to win the away leg 0-0. I say win because I didn't see anything where we where on there halve.



So with e decent result in the bag, we are going to prepare for the home match. As you can see above there was not much fitness left so I gave all players involved a 3 days leave. And then we trained 2 days and gave them an other 2 days off.

The home match we got an early goal by Marcão, and since my team still has low fitness I decided to let my team fall back and play the counter. The counter didn't realy materialize but we kept our goal clean. And then when the match was over there was the counter we have been looking for all day, and Juan Cruz Ostúa didn't let the oppertunity slip.



The punits saw where our Copa Libertadores victory came from, our whole defence including the keeper, and our wingers where voted in the team of the year.

great win mate !!!! and alot of the players in the first 11 !

Fantastic win - I thought your players were about to die!!! You did deserve it at the end having 7 players on the best team.

Have you decided what you are going to do? Are you going to stay or move anywhere else?

George: It was a great win, especialy under the hard conditions. And I completed all my personal goals with River Plate.

GreekExpress: Yeah it was hard to get a fit team on the pitch. I have signed a new deal with River Plate, so I won't leave just now for any team. I won't leave this year unless I get approached by a major team. Maybe I will take up a national team on the side if a good position opens up.







The start of the pre-season was just in the light of the Copa Libertadores final. As my players wheren't fit I could use them (fully) at the early fixtures. So thats my excuse for the two heavy losses in Germany. On the up side we where very close at beating Swansea, letting in the equalizer on the 88th minute.

Sold off a couple of the foreign players to keep under the maximum amount of four (over 20) foreign players in the squad. And as the club losses money every year on repaying hefty loans I want to keep selling to balance the books, eventho I am not forced to it. But I also made a board promise to play youth players, so I sell off older players and bring in youngsters.



I tried to sell Jules Goda aswell but that didn't go, but will give it an other go at the transfer deadline. My new addidions are:
Pablo; I signed him before on my first club Krympteplysya, and he came on the market again on free transfer so I had to get him again.
Manuel Vicentini: Signed him on a free transfer to replace Jules Goda
Further did I promote a couple of youth players to the main squad: Fedrico Gomes; Luis Miguel Moyano; Helcinho.

Decent month passed by, including a cup I never heard off and didn't know i qualified for. We started the league with a cracking 4-0 win against Unión. Next was the home leg in the Recopa against Brazilian side Corinthians. We got in front but on the halve time whistle they equalized. Second halve we searched for the winner but it just wasn't to be. Same went for the next match we searched and searched but it wasn't there until the last 10 minutes when youth strike Patricio Farías scored twice to secure the win. Next match again we couldn't find the goal after falling behinde early. The injury of Lautaro Chávez might prove to be a real trouble already. Against San Lorenzo we again struggled to find the net in the first halve. But second halve things started to look up again and we ran away 3-0 winner. The return leg at Corinthians was a real thriller. Having to score we went out firing, but we forgot to aim. We they got ahead it didn't realy matter as we still needed to score anyway. And we did with 15 minutes to play. With time running out Corinthians attacker Carbonero got a foolish second yellow for diving. Making things a bit easier in the extra time. And we got the win at the 115th minute, we always seemed like to score in the added 30 minutes. So we bag an extra piece of silverware.



At the end of the transfer market I managed to sell Jules Goda, so I promoted Néstor Martínex from my youth set-up.

In the league Boca Juniors seem to be the team to beat again. They score 12 in 4 games without conceding and will probably be a hard nutt to crack.

My team played a very good month with some very pleasing results and good viewing. But we just keep losing ground to Boca Juniors. We had one draw against Lanús, who are also a very good squad, and we immidiatly drop two more points behinde. At this rate the loss early in the competition against Racing Club could prove to be vital.

Boca are doing very well just stick with them !!

We started the month with an unfortunate defeat against Instituto. The match against Colón didn't prove any problem. The 2nd leg against Universidad de Chile begon with conceding a goal early, this looked to make the match a bit more thrilling. But Sebastián Santos made sure it was over soon. Scoring twice before the 20th minute and completing his hatrick the second halve. Next up was the all important match against Boca Juniors. We where a bit better the first halve but couldn't score, second halve we came out firing scoring twice in 10 minutes. The match seemed in the pocket but then we got a red card and Boca came back. But we held on and secured an important victory. The lose against Instituto now hurt extra because we still hold second place on goal difference.

A near perfect month, getting all points in the league and Boca Juniors having a draw somewhere. 3 good wins in the Copa Sudamericana, only the last match it almost turned sour. Going into the match with a 3-0 advantage you feel nothing can go wrong. But with a 1-4 loss the away goals brought us through.

That's a very tight season - win your four remaining games and you win the league; drop some points and Boca is ready to grab it from you!

Well done on Copa Sudamericane - who are you playing against at the final?