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Boca Juniors: A Look Inside The Libertadores Cup Finalist
After examining the (with all due respects) lesser known Grêmio, Goal.com provides readers with a look at the other Libertadores Finalist – Argentine giants Boca Juniors. Although most are well aware of the Xeneize history, first we reflect on some basic history and then examine exactly what makes the 2007 team tick…
Although it may come as a bit of a shock to those unaware of the cosmopolitan nature of both São Paulo and Buenos Aires, these cities have a huge Italian immigrant population. It was from this community – rather than the Spanish that would seem to be more logical considering the colonial history – that Boca Juniors was born in 1905.
Formed two years after fellow Copa Libertadores (Liberators Cup) Finalist Grêmio, the Argentine club was founded by five Italian immigrants in the working class neighbourhood of La Boca. This nowadays often appears on postcards as the charming patchwork quilt of colours applied to the humble dwellings is either eye-catching or cornea-searing, depending on your point of view.
Whereas the Brazilian city of São Paulo (the largest concentration of descendents of Italian immigrants in South America) has the neighbourhood of Bixiga / Bela Vista that drips with influences from all over the old country, La Boca is dominated by descendants that mainly came from Genoa.
There is, in fact, a Genoese neighbourhood named Boccadasse (Bocadaze in the local Genoese lingo) and, although hard evidence that the name is an abbreviation is lacking, may have influenced the naming of the neighbourhood.
La Boca has a distinct – almost revolutionary chic – personality all of it’s own as the fact that it (temporarily) declared independence from Argentina in 1882, rebels actually raising the Genoese flag in a reflection of the strength of feeling in the area, even though it was a short-lived protest.
This also gave rise to the nickname Xeneize, a local phonetic version of the Italian word Genovesi, simply meaning Genoese. The other nickname is Bosteros, which Juan Arango describes in his enlightening article.
Although the club moved location since it was founded, 1938 saw work start on a new stadium that would become known as La Bombonera (The Candy Box – from the French Bombom, although some prefer to translate is as chocolate box) due to its characteristic steep tiers (Maradona is often seen almost hanging out of them to cheer his side on) and strictly rectangular shape.
Officially called Alberto J. Armando stadium (after an ex-club President), it was formerly known as the Camilo Cichero stadium but neither name stuck in the public mind as much as the boxy nickname that is now world famous amongst the footballing cognoscenti. It also has an odd ability to move sideways when fans jump in unison, Xeneizes fond of saying that the stadium doesn’t tremble…it beats like a heart.
The first leg of the Libertadores 2007 Final will take place on this hallowed ground and all 57,000 spaces are expected to be packed with the yellow-and-blue of Boca, visitors Grêmio having been allocated a measly 2500 seats (all sold out in minutes).
As to successes, it is no secret that Boca Juniors have a glittering trophy room that almost obliges the use of dark glasses, 22 domestic titles being almost overshadowed by a raging success at continental level. Boca boasts no less than 16 South American trophies between the Libertadores, its little brother the Copa Sudamericana and other peripheral Cups.
The five Libertadores conquests take evident pride of place, Boca having hoisted the Holy Grail of South American football in 1977, 1978, 2000, 2001 and 2003 (Independiente have harvested seven to lead the rankings, but the last time they won dates back almost a quarter of a century to 1984).
The original 1970s double-tap has been overshadowed by the early 21st century dominance under ex-Coach Carlos Bianchi, a legend at La Bombonera for his seeming effortless ability to bring home the bacon. Many Boca fans still almost mourn the Maestro’s retirement, Basile doing well in his wake but La Volpe crashing and burning badly. The jury is still out on Russo.
There is also immense chest-swelling pride at three Intercontinental Cups in 1977, 2000 and 2003. Although Europeans generally are unconcerned about the title – seeing it as more of a pain in the rear end than an achievement – it cannot be underestimated how important this is to South Americans, partly as a cold dish of post-colonial revenge but mostly to show the richer clubs that even with a distinct financial handicap their clubs can be superior.
The total of 16 continental trophies leaves Boca Juniors neck-and-neck with AC Milan – and one above Real Madrid – although the balance could well sway back in favour of the Xeneizes if Grêmio can be downed.
Libertadores 2007 – The Road To Number 6?
This edition of the Libertadores is seen as something of an acid test after the Apertura 2006 was gifted to Simeone’s Estudiantes in December and San Lorenzo recently won the other half of the Argentine league by lifting the Clausura 2007 trophy.
The Xeneize performance in the local league does give an insight into the tactics that Miguel Angel Russo is using at Boca. The favoured formation is a 4-3-1-2, the same that Bianchi used to allow Riquelme to shine so brightly.
In this system there is a certain sacrifice involved as Riquelme needs a bodyguard for his slower, more cerebral game to work well, hence the use of a threesome of holding midfielders to avoid lost possession turning into a rival goal. A more standard 4-4-2 has been used from time to time, although everything points towards the 4-3-1-2 being employed in the Final.
Boca Juniors Domestic Performance (Torneo Clausura) 2007
Date / Venue / Rival / Result / Formation
10-Feb-07 away Banfield 4-0 4-4-2
18-Feb-07 home Rosario Central 1-1 4-3-1-2
24-Feb-07 away Independiente. 3-1 4-3-1-2
04-Mar-07 home S.Lorenzo 0-3 4-3-1-2
10-Mar-07 away Estudiantes LP 3-1 4-3-1-2
18-Mar-07 home Gimnasia. LP 5-1 4-3-1-2
25-Mar-07 away Godoy Cruz 1-0 4-3-1-2
31-Mar-07 home Nueva Chicago 2-0 4-3-1-2
08-Apr-07 away Velez Sarsfield 3-1 4-3-1-2
15-Apr-07 home River Plate 1-1 4-3-1-2
22-Apr-07 away Newell’s Old Boys 2-1 4-3-1-2
29-Apr-07 home Racing 2-2 4-3-1-2
06-May-07 away Argentinos Jrs 3-3 4-3-1-2
13-May-07 home Arsenal de Sarandà 1-1 4-3-1-2
20-May-07 away Quilmes 2-1 4-4-2
27-May-07 home Gimnasia. Jujuy 3-1 4-4-2
03-Jun-07 away Colon 1-2 4-4-2
As far as the Libertadores goes it has hardly been a smooth ride, but Boca have proved that they don’t wilt like daisies in the heat of Libertadores pressure. If we take a quick look at the journey we can see that it’s been a rocky road to the 2007 Final.
Group Phase
Group 7
Position / Club / Points / Played / Won / Drawn / Lost / Goals For / Goals Against / Goal Difference
1. Toluca 12 6 4 0 2 10 6 +4
2. Boca Juniors 10 6 3 1 2 11 5 +6
3. Cienciano 9 6 3 0 3 12 8 +4
4. BolÃvar 4 6 1 1 4 5 18 -13
As the table reflects, it wasn’t Boca who triumphed in the first phase but Mexicans Toluca. Boca started off with a poor draw away against minnows Bolivar, only managed a slim 1-0 over the weak Cienciano at home, were slammed 2-0 away in Mexico by Toluca (although they extracted revenge with a 3-0 whupping of the Mexicans at La Bombonera).
The first goalfest came with a 7-0 drubbing of Bolivar in Buenos Aires at the end of April that sealed the classification with a just a meagre point (and goal difference) over Cienciano. With a bit of huffing and puffing Boca were through to the knockout phase.
Last Sixteen
The first hurdle also proved problematic for Boca, facing ex-Coach Ricardo La Volpe, now with fellow Argentine outfit Vélez Sarsfield. The first leg seemed to indicate something of a turkey shoot as Riquelme, Palermo and Morel Rodriguez scored for a clean-sheet Boca.
The second leg almost spelled disaster, however, as Vélez Sarsfield muddied that clean sheet with their own trio of goals from Zárate (2) and Ocampo, but Riquelme and Caranta saved the day. The former netted a vital away goal with a curled corner that beat Sebastián Peratta and the latter pulled off a series of providential saves.
Quarter-Finals
Having squeezed through Boca faced an easier task with Paraguayan underdogs Libertad, winning 0-2 away in the second leg (Riquelme and Palacio) after drawing 1-1 in the first match (Osvaldo MartÃnez for the visitors, Palermo for the hosts) to nab a spot in the semis with relative ease compared to the other fraught classifications.
Semi-Finals
The last hurdle before the Final brought Boca juniors face to face with the revelation of the current Libertadores Cup: Colombians Cúcuta. It would end with sever déjà vu from the Vélez experience as Boca managed to shade it with a 4-3 aggregate scoreline.
Things almost went pear-shaped in the first leg, Ledesma scoring with a 26th minute strike that would eventually equal classification, but a brace from Panamanian striker Blás Pérez and a Bustos goal left the Colombians on top for the decider.
The second leg was a triumphant stroll in the Bombonera park: 1-0 Riquelme, 2-0 Palermo and 3-0 Battaglia, although the plucky Colombians who bowed out with heads held high despite not managing to score in La Bombonera.
The Typical Boca Juniors Team – Libertadores 2007
BOCA JUNIORS (4-2-3-1): Caranta; Ibarra, Diaz, Morel RodrÃguez and Clemente RodrÃguez; Ledesma, Battaglia (Banega), Cardoso (Jesús Dátolo); Riquelme; Palacio and Palermo
Boca are lucky to be able to count on an on-song keeper whose performances have effectively kept the Xeneizes alive and kicking, although Bobadilla is a back-up in case his nagging injury that flared up in the 3-1 defeat to Cúcuta should sideline the number 12.
In front he can count on a sturdy back four in the shape of Ibarra, Diaz, Morel RodrÃguez and Clemente RodrÃguez, Ibarra carrying the weight of organisation and also showing commendable bite on the wing. This foursome can mesh into a tight catenaccio-like formation if the three holding midfielders pull back.
The recent Clausura match against Belgrano showed a cast of reserve players, unsurprisingly given the Final, although Sebastián Battaglia and potential first eleven midfielder Jesús Dátolo were both fielded by Russo. Lately it’s been Ledesma who’s been capturing the hearts of the Boca faithful in the wake of the Gago move to Madrid.
Alternating with the defensive mesh designed to keep Grêmio at bay, the midfield will also have to be vigilant and ensure they can drag markers away from Riquelme. Juan Román Riquelme is the heart of Russo’s team in a similar way to his pre-Europe core role under Bianchi. After a slow re-adaptation back to South American play Riquelme is back to his masterful pampas-prowling with that clinical eye for a last pass or a dead-ball opportunity.
In front he has a chalk and cheese duo that nevertheless have been pulling off great performances in tandem. Palacio is more of a speed merchant whose diagonal cutbacks into the box from the wing and sudden arrival in the box has served Boca very well. Add that to a mad MartÃn 'Loco' Palermo with a still-sharp nose for goal and the Xeneizes have some well-grounded reasons to approach the match with real hope and joy.
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