Estudiantes Take Advantage Of Boca Collapse

The playoff for the Apertura title in Argentina ended in the same way the previous two weeks had, with Boca Juniors throwing away the chance to win a third successive title. The never say die spirit of Estudiantes, coached by Diego Simeone, once again proved it's worth as the 'Pinchas' won their first title in twenty-three years.

Going into the match were two teams that couldn't be more different in terms of moral and momentum. Boca had only needed one point from their final two games, and surprisingly collapsed. Having gone 17 games in the Apertura with only one defeat (in the Superclasico to River), Boca experienced back to back defeats, and lost at home for the first time during the campaign to Lanus. Estudiantes went on a remarkable run from September 24th, winning eleven and drawing one of their last twelve matches. And even their draw was only due to an injury time equaliser from Argentinos Jrs.

Boca needed to start the playoff well, and they did just that. A nicely worked move found lifelong Estudiantes fan, Martin Palermo, at the far post and he volleyed in to give Boca a 1-0 advantage. The first half largely belonged to Boca, with other chances coming their way, most notably through Rodrigo Palacio. Estudiantes came close themselves with Mariano Pavone's strike hitting the post. Towards the end of the first half, both sides were reduced to ten men, after the sendings off of Pablo Alvarez and Pablo Ledesma. The decision seemed harsh on Ledesma who had fallen over the top of Alvarez, who promptly got up and kicked the Boca player while he lay on the ground.

Soon after, Cata Diaz came close for Boca from a free kick, and Estudiantes were happy to go in at the half just down by Palermo's solitary strike. The second half was a different story, Boca sat back and invited pressure which Estudiantes were happy to apply. Their equaliser came from a wonderfully clipped free kick by Jose Sosa. That strike stung Boca into action, and for the first time in the second half they began to re-establish themselves in the match. The Boca front two of Palacio and Palermo were almost non-existent for the entire second half.

With ten minutes to go, Mariano Pavone, took advantage of some hesistant defending, clipped the ball over Bobadilla and looped his header into the corner beyond the despairing dive of Claudio Morel Rodríguez. Boca never looked like equalising, and for the third match in a row they had been unable to secure the Apertura title.

The scenes at the end were pure joy for Estudiantes players, coaches and fans, while Boca players bowed their heads after another opportunity slipped away. But this time, there would be no tomorrow. Ricardo La Volpe, who took over the reins after 'Coco' Basile had left to take up the position as Argentina coach, ended his short and unsuccessful stint in charge by resigning. La Volpe took over a Boca side that were defending the Apertura and Sudamericana titles, that had just won the Recopa, and had not long before produced an extraordinary display that saw them triumph 7-1 away to San Lorenzo.

La Volpe's time at Boca will not be remembered fondly. Meanwhile, Diego Simeone has already won a title despite being a coach for only one year, and possibly a future appointment as coach of Argentina awaits him down the line.

The Apertura was too often in the news for the continued scenes of crowd violence and player intimidation. Estudiantes will feel justice has been served after Gimnasia LP conceaded victory to Boca in a match that was no more than a sham, after Gimnasia players had been subject to threats from their own fans should they take any points off Boca and thus help the cause of Estudiantes, their rivals.

The Clausura begins on February 11 2007, and already some names will be missing, but likely to be filled by the never ending conveyor belt of talent that originates from Argentina. Real Madrid have completed the signing of River forward, Gonzalo Higuain, while Fernando Gago of Boca Juniors is expected to make the same move soon. Although Boca are still hoping that Gago will stay until the Summer.

If you have not yet seen the goals from the playoff for the title, you can do so in the video clip below.



Following the draw for the knock out phase of the UEFA Champions League, Sports Magician will be taking a look ahead to the match ups and analysing the encounters.