About previews - an example from Argentina

There are several ways to approach and analyze the matches at hand. Statistics are important as are fresh and reliable team news - and the conclusions made out  of them. In my experience nothing beats local knowledge and hundreds of hours spent by the pitch, following the matches on tv as well covering fully the local media. During the pre-season I am not personally writing any previews due the lack of information and the nature of the matches, but there are others who are at full speed at the moment.

One of my absolute favourites in this preview business is MNC who covers Argentinian football with experience, skill, passion and profit, you can follow his work and ideas through his blog at Argentinapreviews.

Like many professionals in the game there is also a professional version for the needy and hungry of precise and well-timed  information, but the least you should do is to follow his blog now as the season is about to start. If you are interested, contact him for more info on what is on offer.

My own project with the Finnish Football Newsletter is still free of charge for some time until the leagues start properly and a few interested might still fit in. Email me if you are interested at puntteri@gmail.com

Back to Argentina now -here is a random sample of a match at Libertadores Cup for Feb 9th:
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February 9, 2011 Copa Libertadores, Group 3

Fluminense (Brazil) – Argentinos Juniors (Argentina)

Fluminense (Brazil)

Suspended : -

Injured : Deco (midfielder, played few games in 2010, out indefinitely), Emerson (striker, regular), Belleti (defender, played few games in 2010)

Uncertain : -

Last Matches :

3/2 Fluminense 3 – Duque de Caxias 1 (Brazil Carioca 2011 Round 5)

6/2 Fluminense 2 – Botafogo 3 (Brazil Carioca 2011 Round 6)

Fluminense was coming from winning the 1st 5 rounds of the 1^st stage of the Rio de Janeiro state championship (against mostly poor teams) and even though they had already advanced to the semifinals, it was an important game for them because with a win they would secure the 1^st place of the group and the chance to avoid playing the huge derby vs Flamengo (who won the other group) .

The game was very open, with Botafogo scoring the 1^st goal but Fluminense ended the 1^st half winning 2-1.

The visitors took control in the 2^nd half, and took a very important win and the lead of Group B with only 1 round left which means they will have a easier semifinal for this 1^st stage of the state championship.

Argentinos Juniors (Argentina)

Suspended : -

Injured : -

Uncertain : -

Last Matches :

They’ve only played some informal friendlies during the preseason training.

Comments :

Argentinos Juniors qualified to Copa Libertadores by winning Clausura 2010 back in May, but 9 months later and after a poor Apertura they have a very different team. To make things worst for them, only 3 days ago their best player, team captain and soul of this team, midfielder Nestor Ortigoza was sold to San Lorenzo (money was too good to reject for a small club) which put fans in very bad mood. The other team players looked not happy at all with this decision as they said to the press this last days and coach Pedro Troglio (who was almost fired in Clausura after a very poor start but “survived” with a couple of wins) will have a very difficult job rebuilding his team morale. Fluminense is the Brazil Serie A champion of 2010 (won it after 26 years) and seem to be a better team than last year as they’ve added striker Rafael Moura, who makes a very dangerous offense with ex-Lyon Fred. Playing at Brazil is always a difficult task, and Argentinos Jrs arriving with poor morale and in a week where they didn’t seem focused on this game due to the departure of their best player, will be more than happy to go back to Argentina with the smallest defat possible.

Prediction : 2-0

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If you read this far you are interested. Keep on following!