Hand Of Pod

This week Sam, Chris, Andrés, Santi B and special guest Andrés Gurrieri, who did NOT used to play for Exeter, meet up to discuss Estudiantes de La Plata's penalty shootout win over Racing in a less-than-classic Torneo Clausura final in Santiago del Estero. We also have a bit of news from San Lorenzo (for a lot more detail, and plenty more content besides, get over to our Patreon: https://patreon.com/handofpod) and the AFA as we head into the summer break. We hope you all have a good time whatever you're celebrating at this time of year, and we'll be back in your ears in mid-January.

This week Sam, English Dan, Andrés, Chris and both Santis review two rather boring Torneo Clausura semifinals which saw Estudiantes and Racing advance to Saturday's final. We also look at the draw for next year's group stage and try to explain why the AFA and various clubs have had their offices raided by investigators.

This week Sam, English Dan and Andrés review last weekend's Torneo Clausura quarterfinals and look forward to Sunday and Monday's semis, which see an all-Big Five clash in the Bombonera between Boca Juniors and Racing and a clásico platense between Gimnasia and Estudiantes. There's also news of a thumping win for Argentina's women's team in the CONMEBOL Liga de Naciones (whose name also contains the totally unnecessary word 'Femenina') and listeners' questions (and our answers to them).

This week Sam, English Dan, Andrés and Santi B review the first round of the Torneo Clausura playoffs, which saw ... um, champions? ... Rosario Central knocked out by Estudiantes following a controversial guard of 'honour' that broke a rule that didn't actually exist and has now seen Estudiantes president Seba Verón and several of their players suspended. Elsewhere, Racing are through after a wonderfully flawed win over River Plate, Boca Juniors saw off Talleres and there was plenty more besides.

We're back! Sam has been away for a while, so in this episode English Dan, Chris, Andrés and Santi B catch him up on what he's missed, which includes River Plate and Independiente not being very good, Boca Juniors and Racing being rather better, San Martín and Godoy Cruz being relegated and Rosario Central being awarded a championship no one knew was being contested. So nothing out of the ordinary for Argentine football ...

This week Sam, English Dan and Andrés unpack the scenes in Avellaneda on Wednesday night, which saw the second half of Independiente v Universidad de Chile in the Copa Sudamericana abandoned after violence from both barra bravas in the stands. In the continent's other cup the news was much better for Argentina's representatives, who make up four of the last eight. And we have one last look at the group stage of the Torneo Clausura. We'll be back in November for the knockout stage of the league and a Copa Libertadores final that will hopefully feature at least one Argentine team.

This week Sam and English Dan have the studio to themselves, and sit down for a chat about a round of league action that, mercifully, saw more goals than the previous one. The big story of the week was off the pitch, as Racing signed Marcos Rojo, much to many fans' annoyance, and it then emerged that he's ineligible to play in the league until next year.

Santi B, a knowledgeable football writer and analyst, joins the discussion on the thrilling Copa Argentina. He critiques Independiente's struggles and praises Belgrano's standout player, Lucas de la Rassan. The conversation captures exciting moments like Racing's impressive win and Argentinos' dramatic comeback. Santi also highlights Argentina's under-17 squad, showcasing emerging talents ahead of their World Cups. Meanwhile, Boca's turmoil adds an intriguing contrast to the competitive landscape of Argentine football.

This week Sam, English Dan and Andrés have only 13 goals in 15 matches to look back on from the third round of the Torneo Clausura – and even that total is only thanks to eight being scored in Monday's three matches. River Plate's 100% start has come to an end, Miguel Ángel Russo is under a lot of pressure at Boca Juniors and there's plenty more to discuss as well.

This week Sam, English Dan, Santi S and Andrés review the second round of games in the Torneo Clausura, which saw Ángel Di María score another penalty (that's six in six matches for him now) to get the first win since his return to Rosario Central, River Plate convincingly beat Instituto to already become the only team with a 100% record and Leandro Paredes claim an assist on his second debut for Boca Juniors.