Boca Juniors, San Lorenzo or Tigre? Argentina’s Three Horse Race For The 2008 Apertura

The moment of truth has arrived. After all the conjecture, the tension, the nail-biting drama and the conspiracy theories it is finally time for the answer to the Apertura 2008’s most compelling question to reveal itself. That question: just who exactly will be crowned champions?

It is the question that fans around Argentina have been scratching their heads trying to solve for weeks now. In what proved a monumental tussle of a title race the field was finally reduced to three teams this past weekend as Boca Juniors, San Lorenzo and Tigre all finished deadlocked on the same number of points at the end of the season. Nineteen league games could not separate them, so these most diverse of rivals will now slog it out in a three-way playoff to determine who is crowned campeon. Its tigers versus crows versus manure handlers. The big, the small and the gigantic. Matadors, cyclones and xeneizes. A season-defining, WWE-style triple threat match with the title hanging invitingly above the ring.

In Argentina the league title is not decided by goal difference or goals scored or any other such statistical triviality. Instead a championship play-off is used, which is nothing if not entertaining. Three team play-offs are extremely rare but not unheard of. The last one occurred 40 years ago in 1968, when Velez Sarsfield emerged as champions after overcoming River Plate and Racing. The 2008 version will be only the second time a league title has been decided this way in the history of Argentinian football.

With all games to be played at neutral grounds it is perhaps fitting therefore that the opening game of this triangular series will be played at Velez’s Jose Amalfitani stadium, where Tigre play San Lorenzo. On Saturday San Lorenzo then play Boca, before the final game of the mini-tournament takes place between Boca and Tigre on Tuesday 23rd December. Both of those games will be played at Racing’s ground in Avellaneda.

One of the aspects that make this title race so fascinating is the sheer variety of the three teams taking place.
First we have San Lorenzo. A big club stooped in history that boasts one of the most sizeable and dedicated fanbases in the country, Los Cuervos (the crows) are both popular and successful. However, that popularity is largely restricted to within the confines of Argentina and the club are not so well known abroad. Winners of ten league titles, the most recent being the 2007 Clausura, Miguel Angel Russo’s side are a defensively sound and tactically mature outfit that will take some stopping. Russo’s experience and knowledge of the Argentinian game alone is a weapon for them. He has won titles before with Velez and also guided Boca to the Copa Libertadores in 2007.

Star player Santiago Solari, formerly of Real Madrid, is probably their most well-known name but that of left-sided midfielder Pablo Barrientos should also stand out. He scored seven goals for San Lorenzo during the league campaign after returning from a spell in Russia at FK Moscow, and is an important player for them. So too Cristian Ledesma.

Then there is Boca Juniors. The mighty Boca. Recognised around the world, resplendent in their iconic blue and yellow shirts. Arguably the biggest club in South America (I’m sure many Brazilians would argue that bitterly!), Boca have in La Doce (the twelfth man) without question one of the world’s most passionate fanbases and a highly successful history to boot. 22 league titles, 6 Copa Libertadores and 2 Copa Sudamericanas. They also possess a highly talented squad packed with youthful potential. And of course Juan Roman Riquelme, a delicate craftsman who can turn a game on its head with the type of effortless cool that would make even James Bond envious.

Boca may be the favourites going into the triangular, but the club have failed to live up to their own high standards in recent seasons and have not won a title since the 2006 Clausura five seasons ago. Their fans, nicknamed the bosteros (manure handlers – a moniker they accept gracefully) could also be forgiven for experiencing a deep pang of trepidation and nervousness heading into the play-off. The last time Boca tied first happened in the 2006 Apertura four seasons ago*. They lost the ensuing final 2-1 to Estudiantes, throwing away a goal lead.

Finally, and in complete contrast to the prowess and clout of Boca, we have Tigre. Tigre are the underdogs. Tigre are the surprise package. Tigre aren’t supposed to be here! But they are, thanks to a magnificent season under the leadership of former Argentine international Diego Cagna. In pre-season Tigre striker Leandro Lazzaro summed up perfectly the general level of low expectancy at the club. ‘Our goal is to make it into a comfortable position,’ he stated. Well he can forget his plans for a relaxing cup of mate and a chilled out Christmas, because its squeaky bum time for Tigre and there is nothing comfortable about it for their increasingly jittery supporters.

Tigre are a relatively small club who have never won a league title in their 106 year history. Fans of El Matador are absolutely desperate for that duck to break. Before prom
otion in 2007 the red-and-blues had spent the previous 27 years in second division wilderness. They also came a lowly fourteenth last year. However Tigre finished runners-up in the Apertura 2007 and Cagna has steadily built on that their previous best ever season, compiling a talented squad with verve, energy and a freshness that has taken them to the cusp of their wildest dreams.

Star player for them this season has undoubtedly been Martin Morel. With thirteen goals to his name the 28-year old from Rosario has been a revelation of late and clinched the all-important winner against Banfield last weekend that fired them into the play-offs.

Heading into the triangular Tigre can take heart from the fact they beat both rivals Boca and San Lorenzo this season, away from home to boot. Because of this they front the head-to-head charts, so if the triangular finishes all square they will take the title on that basis. Neutrals all around the country are rooting for them given their ranking as firm underdogs. All eyes are on the Matador. Whether they can muster the belief and strength of a tiger to put in two last winning displays and lift that first title however remains to be seen. The defining moment is here.

* – strangely enough, the Apertura and Clausura in Argentina are mixed up. The Apertura or opening league takes place during the second half of the season, while the Clausura occurs in the first part of the year.

** – for more coverage of Argentinian football visit the excellent Hasta el Gol Siempre.

Argentina, Argentinian Football, Boca Juniors, San Lorenzo, Tigre