It Takes Three to Tango in Argentina

For the first time in history of the Torneo Apertura or Opening (there are two seasons in Argentina) championship in Argentina, three teams ended up level on points (39).

  • Boca Juniors, who have 22 domestic titles.
  • San Lorenzo, who have 10 domestic titles.
  • Tigre, who have never won any domestic silverware.

Beginning on Wednesday, 17 December, a playoff between the three clubs will occur to crown the Argentine Apertura champion.


According to Hasta el Gol Siempre, which is a very informative blog about Argentine football, here are the fixtures for the mini-tournament, or liguilla.

“On Wednesday the 17th December, at 18:30 local time, Tigre will play San Lorenzo in the Estadio José Amalfitani, home of Vélez Sársfield. On Saturday 20th, also at 18:30, Boca Juniors will play San Lorenzo in Racing’s Cilindro. And on Tuesday 23rd, Boca will take on Tigre, probably at 21:30, though this has yet to be confirmed. That match will also be in Racing’s ground.”

Tiebreakers

  • Goal difference
  • Goals scored
  • Results against each other in the Torneo Apertura (Tigre beat both teams and would win this tiebreaker).

It Takes Three to Tango in Argentina

Without a doubt, a few people named Amoia in Buenos Aires will be saying:

Vamos Boca!

La mitad mas uno.

If Boca wins, here is how they will celebrate:

Tango Argentino Demonstration

The Tango takes its roots from the Boca section of Buenos Aires.

Commentary by Oscar R. Amoia

Oscar grew up in the shadows of La Bombonera, which is affectionately known as “The Chocolate Box,” in Buenos Aires. He is a Socio Vitalicio, or a lifetime member, of Club Atletico Boca Juniors. I asked him to provide some insights about this historic development:

“Fútbol Argentino…un fútbol rico en calidad, un fútbol bien latino, con la pasión al borde de la exaltación a cada momento…Un campeonato con altas y bajas constantes, con equipos luchando hasta la última fecha…Y acá están, los mejores tres: el Boca de Riquelme, el San Lorenzo de su nuevo entrenador (ex DT de Boca) y Tigre, un club con mucha historia pero nunca en esta instancia…

Pronóstico? Reservado, todo dependerá de la situación anímica, de aprovechar los errores del rival. Como todas las finales no habrá margen para la equivocación, no habrá lugar para nada…

FUTBOL BIEN LATINO, MATAR O MORIR…EL FRACASO O LA GLORIA…DE ESO SE TRATA…CON ESO SE SUFRE…CON ESO SE VIVE EN ESTE FUTBOL ARGENTINO.”


“Argentine Football… a football rich in quality, a very Latin football, with a passion at the point of exaltation in every moment. A championship with constant highs and lows, with teams fighting until the last game… And here they are, the best three:

The Boca of (Juan Roman) Riquelme, San Lorenzo with their new manager (ex manager of Boca, Miguel Angel Russo) and Tigre, a club with a lot of history but never in this position before.

My prognostication? Reserved, but everything will depend upon the courageous situation, to try to take advantage of the mistakes by the opponent.

Like all of the finals there will not be margin for error, there won’t be a place for anything…

Very Latin football, kill or die. The disaster or the glory… That is how it is… With that one suffers… With that one lives in this Argentine football.”

 

Spanish translation by Steve Amoia.

Steve Amoia is the author and editor of the World Football Commentaries blog. He has written for AC Cugini Scuola Calcio, Football Media, Keeper Skool, and Soccerlens.

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