Argentina’s Apertura championship may just be warming up, but we may already know the eventual outcome. Once again, defending champions Boca Juniors are in first with a perfect record, fresh off an extraordinary 7-1 triumph over San Lorenzo last Sunday.
Impressive on its own, but even more extraordinary when you consider that San Lorenzo had been tabbed as Boca’s main threat for the title. The emphatic score is a sign that Boca is clearly a level above the rest. If the Xeneizes continue to demoralize their opponents at this pace, they’re an easy pick for their third successive league championship — a club record.
Speaking of records, the 7-1 victory (Boca’s 11th straight) broke one set by Mario Fortunato‘s 1933 side for the greatest winning streak in the club’s illustrious history. The current team, led by newly named Argentina national-team coach Alfio Basile, is just two victories away from equaling the Argentine First Division all-time record held by the 2000 version of San Lorenzo.
You can only praise the amazing job Basile has done. He took over as manager when the club was in a crisis and turned around its fortunes almost overnight. Basile has brought the team nearly every trophy possible: two league championships, the Recopa and the Copa Sudamericana. But he will only be available for one more league match before officially taking charge of the Argentine team (his national debut is Sunday’s clash with Brazil in London).
Even though Basile’s side has had to make do without some of its key players — who have transferred to European clubs — his team has continued from where it left off last season. Without any important signings, Boca has a perfect 12 points from four games and has scored 13 goals while conceding only two.
Basile promoted last season’s reserves into the first team as replacements, and players such as Neri Cardozo, Guillermo Marino and Pablo Ledesma have added a fresh look to the squad. Many fans claim that the club is playing the best soccer in its history.
Boca certainly made a case in the rout of title candidate San Lorenzo, a side that historically has the upper hand over its Buenos Aires rivals. But Boca completely ripped them apart, playing a sensational match and putting on a show for its supporters — a warning to any club that hopes to stand in its way.
Much of the Xeneizes’ success comes down to the fact that they almost play by memory. They display teamwork and organization that is the envy of any side, not to mention the technical skills and attitudes of players who just don’t know how to lose. And while their defense has improved over last season, their attack continues to give great results.
Boca’s power has much to do with the outstanding form of Martín Palermo. “El Loco” had a hat trick in the San Lorenzo win, putting him in the league lead for scoring with five goals. Palermo has now reached the 150-goal career milestone and has become the second-highest scorer in club history, behind the great Francisco Varallo. Palermo has won the scoring title only once in his 15-year career, but if he continues his good form, he’s likely to achieve the feat again.
Then there’s Rodrigo Palacio, Argentina’s up-and-coming superstar. The speedy striker complements Palermo in the attack with pure skill and mind-blowing acceleration, making him the most dangerous striker in the league. Palacio added two goals of his own against San Lorenzo.
Boca’s next big assignment is the all-important Recopa against São Paulo next month, the annual tournament between the previous season’s winners of the Copa Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana. The second leg, in Brazil, will be Basile’s send-off, and a title will put him alongside the greatest managers the club has ever seen.
Imagine the shoes new manager Ricardo Lavolpe will have to fill. After weeks of speculation, the fiery ex-Mexican national coach accepted the gig. But Boca’s outstanding run of 11 straight wins means Lavolpe faces a tricky proposition — he knows that his first loss will send the Boca faithful into hysterics.
Boca fans are notoriously the most demanding in Argentina. It’s hard to say if Lavolpe’s experience in Mexican soccer will be enough to help him become a top manager in a much more competitive Argentine competition.
Even so, based on the club’s recent runaway success, Lavolpe should have a smooth transition. Boca has reaffirmed itself as an organization of the highest stature. A hat trick of league titles almost looks like a formality.
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