2008 Torneo Apertura playoffs

The 2008 Torneo Apertura playoffs were the series that determined the winner of 2008 Torneo Apertura of Argentine Primera División. The series were contested by Boca Juniors, San Lorenzo, and Tigre, in order to decide the Apertura champions after those clubs had finished tied on points (39 points in 19 matches played) at the end of the tournament.[1] Although San Lorenzo finished the season with a better goal difference (+17) than Boca and Tigre (+12 each)[2] the Argentine Football Association committee decided that playoffs should be held in order to crown a champion.[3]

It was the 7th. league final contested by Boca Juniors (had won championships in 1923,[4] 1970,[5] 1976[6][7]) and the 5th. played by San Lorenzo (having won the title in 1968[8][9] and 1972[10]).

On the other side, it was the first final contested by Tigre in the top division of Argentine football.[11]

The matches were played under a three-way playoff format. Boca Juniors and San Lorenzo finished both with 3 points each, but Boca Juniors' goal difference[12][13] allowed them to won their 29th. league title.[1]

This edition was the first Primera División decider where more than two teams took part in.[2]

Qualified teams

Team Previous finals app.
Boca Juniors 1923, 1929, 1970, 1976, 1990–91, 2006
San Lorenzo 1936, 1968, 1971, 1972
Tigre (none)

Bold indicates winning years

Venues

Buenos Aires Avellaneda
José Amalfitani Stadium Estadio Presidente Perón
Capacity: 49,540 Capacity: 55,880

Background

Matches

First round

2008 Torneo Apertura playoffs
Round 1
Tigre1–2San Lorenzo
Lázzaro 76' Report Barrientos 18'
Bergessio 20'
Referee: Saúl Laverni
Tigre
San Lorenzo
GK 1 Daniel Islas
DF 14 Pablo Jerez (1)
DF 23 Norberto Paparatto
DF 3 Juan Carlos Blengio
DF 6 Rodolfo Arruabarrena
MF 17 Matías Giménez (2)
MF 5 Diego Castaño
MF 18 Sebastián Rusculleda
MF 10 Martín Morel (3)
FW 15 Leonel Altobelli
FW 7 Carlos Luna
Substitutes:
MF 15 Sebastián Rosano (1)
FW 9 Leandro Lázzaro (2)
FW 11 Néstor Ayala (3)
GK 27 Luis Ardente
DF 29 Pablo Fontanello
DF 2 Damián Leyes
DF 4 José San Román
MF 8 Jonathan Blanco
Manager:
Diego Cagna
GK 1 Agustín Orión
DF 2 Adrián González
DF 20 Gastón Aguirre
DF 16 Nicolás Bianchi Arce
DF 11 Aureliano Torres
MF 10 Pablo Barrientos
MF 28 Cristian Ledesma
MF 4 Juan Manuel Torres
MF 6 Santiago Solari (1)
FW 7 Andrés Silvera (2)
FW 15 Gonzalo Bergessio (3
Substitutes:
FW 18 Santiago Hirsig (1)
MF 19 Juan Carlos Menseguez (2)
FW 22 Cristian G. Chávez (2)
GK 12 Nereo Champagne
DF 30 Fernando Meza
DF 3 Germán Voboril
MF 32 Salvador Reynoso
Manager:
Miguel Ángel Russo

Second round

San Lorenzo
Boca Juniors
GK 1 Agustín Orión
DF 2 Adrián González
DF 20 Gastón Aguirre  
DF 16 Nicolás Bianchi Arce
DF 11 Aureliano Torres
MF 10 Pablo Barrientos
MF 28 Cristian Ledesma
MF 4 Juan Manuel Torres
MF 6 Santiago Solari (1)
FW 7 Andrés Silvera (2)
FW 15 Gonzalo Bergessio  
Substitutes:
FW 18 Santiago Hirsig (1)
FW 22 Cristian G. Chávez (2)
GK 12 Nereo Champagne
DF 30 Fernando Meza
DF 3 Germán Voboril
MF 32 Salvador Reynoso
Manager:
Miguel Ángel Russo
GK 12 Javier García
DF 4 Hugo Ibarra
DF 2 Julio César Cáceres
DF 6 Juan Forlín (1)
DF 3 Claudio Morel
MF 22 Fabián Vargas (2)
MF 5 Sebastián Battaglia
MF 23 Jesús Dátolo
MF 10 Román Riquelme
FW 18 Luciano Figueroa (3)
FW 27 Lucas Viatri
Substitutes:
DF 13 Facundo Roncaglia (1)
MF 21 Cristian M. Chávez (2)
FW 14 Rodrigo Palacio (3)
GK 25 Josué Ayala
MF 15 Álvaro González
DF 33 Ezequiel Muñoz
MF 28 Nicolás Gaitán
FW 17 Ricardo Noir
FW 7 Pablo Mouche
Manager:
Carlos Ischia

Third round

Boca Juniors
Tigre
GK 12 Javier García  69'
DF 4 Hugo Ibarra
DF 13 Facundo Roncaglia  33'
DF 2 Julio César Cáceres
DF 3 Claudio Morel
MF 21 Cristian Manuel Chávez
MF 5 Sebastián Battaglia
MF 23 Jesús Dátolo  45'
MF 11 Leandro Gracián
FW 18 Luciano Figueroa  55'
FW 27 Lucas Viatri
Substitutes:
GK 25 Josué Ayala  69'  90'
MF 15 Álvaro González  45'
FW 14 Rodrigo Palacio  55' 89'
DF 33 Ezequiel Muñoz
MF 24 Exequiel Benavídez
MF 28 Nicolás Gaitán
FW 17 Ricardo Noir
Manager:
Carlos Ischia
GK 1 Daniel Islas
DF 27 Luis Ardente
DF 14 Pablo Jerez
DF 23 Norberto Paparatto
DF 6 Rodolfo Arruabarrena (1)
MF 15 Sebastián Rosano (2)
MF 17 Matías Giménez (3)
MF 10 Martín Morel
MF 8 Jonathan Blanco
FW 7 Carlos Luna
FW 9 Leandro Lázzaro
Substitutes:
FW 31 Mauro Villegas (1)
FW 15 Leonel Altobelli (2)
FW 18 Sebastián Rusculleda (3)
GK 21 Lucas Abud
DF 29 Pablo Fontanello
DF 2 Damián Leyes
DF 4 José San Román
Manager:
Diego Cagna

Standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Boca Juniors 2 1 0 1 3 2 +1 3 Champion
2 Tigre 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
3 San Lorenzo 2 1 0 1 3 4 −1 3
Source: RSSSF
Rules for classification: Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd goal difference; 3rd goals scored; 4th head-to-head points; 5th head-to-head goal difference; 6th head-to-head goals scored.

References

  1. ^ a b Argentina 2008/09 by Juan Pablo Andrés at RSSSF.com
  2. ^ a b El triangular más insólito en la historia del fútbol by Carlos Beer. La Nación, 29 Jun 2020
  3. ^ BOCA – SAN LORENZO – TIGRE: A ONCE AÑOS DE AQUEL POLÉMICO TRIANGULAR. Dec 23, 2019. by Javier Dispaldro on Vermouth Deportivo
  4. ^ ¡A 99 años del Boca Juniors Campeón de 1923! at UACDRA website
  5. ^ Boca Juniors 2 - Rosario Central 1, match chronicle on Historia de Boca
  6. ^ A 40 años de la única final entre Boca y River on El Gráfico, 22 December 2016
  7. ^ Matadores por siempre on Sanlorenzo.com.ar
  8. ^ Los Matadores, un equipo incomparable by Alejandro Fabbri
  9. ^ San Lorenzo 1972, un campeón récord y ejemplar on El Gráfico, 1 Sep 2022
  10. ^ Tigre vs San Lorenzo: historia de un duelo con cuentas pendientes by Jorge Palavecino on Vavel.com, 8 May 2025
  11. ^ Boca campeón Apertura 2008, El Gráfico 23 Dec 2021
  12. ^ Triple empate y Boca campeón por diferencia de gol by Federico Del Río on TNT.com.ar, 23 Dec 2020