Argentina Metropolitano: http://football-journey.com/
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Monday, January 26, 2015
Of
course, Olimpia won Copa Libertadores before winning the
Intercintinental Cup. The formula of Copa Libertadores was part of
the problems of the Intercontinental Cup – the tournament kicked in
March and ended in July. There was no other way, however, considering
the South American championships. Boca Juniors – reigning holder of
the Cup – got a bye and proceeded directly to the semi-final stage.
All others played the preliminary groups – 5 of them, 4 teams of
two countries in each. Some easier than others: Group 4 was perhaps
the easiest, for there Venezuelan teams played against Chilean
representatives. The toughest was Group 3, opposing Peruvian to
Brazilian teams. Only the winners went to the semi-final stage.
Independiente (Avellaneda) won Group 1. The other Argentine
representative – Quilmes, also from Avellaneda, ended last.
Something expected... Quilmes were just happy to play in the
tournament, the Colombian teams – Deportivo Cali and Millonarios –
were not at the general Argentine level. In Group 2 Paraguayan teams
were favourites – Bolivia did not count much. But the difference
was no all that big and a single point was the difference between
losers and winners – Bolivar (La Paz) ended with great scoring
record, but with 9 points. Olimpia (Asuncion) won 5 of their 6
matches and lost one – to this very Bolivar in La Paz. Yet, 10
points were better than 9 and Olimpia went ahead. Group 3 was the
most interesting group and also most surprising: Brazilian teams were
naturally favoured over the Peruvians, and Palmeiras was the big name
here. Alianza (Lima) was the likelier stronger Peruvian club...
historically. Alianza was unable to get even a point, losing all
their games and scoring only 5 goals. Palmeiras finished 3rd...
The battle was between Universitario (Lima) and Guarani (Campinas) –
the Brazilian team prevailed. No contest in |Group 3 – the
Venezuelan teams did not win a single match. It was Chilean battle
of sorts – O'Higgins (Rancagua) was not really at the level of
Palestino (Santiago), which won the group without losing a match and
receiving only 2 goals in their net. In the Group 5, the Uruguayan
teams were considered stronger and they were – the two Ecuadorian
clubs achieved a combined record of 7 points: the same as Nacional
(Montevideo). Which finished 2nd
, 3 points behind their arch-rivals Penarol. Like Palestino, Penarol
did not lose any match and received only 2 goals.
The
winners of the five groups, plus Boca Juniors, went to the
semi-finals – two round-robin groups of three teams each. Group 1
looked tougher – as far as names go. Boca Juniors, Independiente,
Penarol... Uruguayan football was not great in the 1970s, so Penarol
was out of the race. Since goal-difference did not count in South
America, there was no group winner – the Argentine teams finished
with 5 points each. A play-off was staged in Buenos Aires – regular
time ended scoreless amd only in the extra time Boca won, thanks to
their star Mastrangelo.
In
the other semi-final group no such drama happened – Olimpia
(Asuncion) was way above the rest. Guarani (Campinal) and
Universitario (Lima) did not won a single match. In contrast, Olimpia
did not lose any – they finished with 3 wins and 1 tie. Four points
ahead of Guarani and the battle was actually finished before the last
match between the two clubs in Campinas: by the time, Olimpia had 6
points and Guarani – 2. The last match did not matter at all –
Guarani blew their chances four days earlier, when they were unable
to beat Universitario at home.
Thus,
Boca Juniors and Olimpia reached the final. It was seemingly easy to
predict final: Boca Juniors won the last two Copa Libertadores
tournaments, Argentina was the reigning football world champion, and
since 1966 Argentine clubs did not win Copa Libertadores only twice –
in 1971 and 1976. For Boca Juniors it was 4th
consecutive final and it looked like they were building a dynasty,
following in the steps of Independiente (Avellaneda). Olimpia was the
underdog by far... once they played at the final, and lost it. It
happened in ancient time... in the very first Copa Libertadores, in
1960. Paraguayan football did not make much news anyway, but although
the newest football sensation was Paraguayan, he was not playing for
Olimpia. Still, a final is a final... anything was possible,
especially in South America. Olimpia hosted the first leg of the
final and won 2-0 – both goals were scored early in the match.
Aquino
surprised Boca in the 2nd
minute – 1-0.
2-0
in the 27th
minute – Piazza doubled the lead. Perhaps Boca did not take the
opposition too seriously... but if that was the case, they paid
dearly. Paraguayan players were never famous, but they were
historically very tough. The result stayed unchanged.
1st leg. Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, 22- 7-1979
Olimpia - Boca Juniors 2-0
2' Aquino 1-0
27' Piazza 2-0
Olimpia: Almeida, Paredes, Jiménez, Solalinde, Kiese, Piazza, Isasi, L. Torres,
Villalba, Talavera, Aquino.
Boca Juniors: Gatti, Pernía, Capurro, Mouzo, Bordón, J.J. Benítez (Palacios),
Suñé, Salinas, Mastrángelo, Salguero, J.R. Rocha.
Referee: Castro (Chile)
Attendance: 50,000
Five days later Boca hosted the second leg. They tried to win, they failed...
The match ended 0-0 and Olimpia triumphed at legendary La Bombonera. 2nd leg. Estadio La Bombonera, Buenos Aires, 27- 7-1979 Boca Juniors - Olimpia 0-0 Boca Juniors: Gatti, Pernía, Sá, Capurro, Bordón, J.J. Benítez, Suñé, Zanabria (Salguero), Mastrángelo, Salinas, J.R. Rocha (Palacios). Olimpia: Almeida, Solalinde, Paredes, Jiménez, Piazza, L. Torres (Guasch), Kiese, Talavera, Isasi, Villalba, Aquino (Delgado). Referee: Cardellino (Uruguay) Attendance: 65,000Fans rushed on the pitch to celebrate with their heroes – Piazza in the middle.Then the Cup was presented to the new winners.
Hugo Talavera proudly shows it the crowd – it was great moment. Not only Olimpia won for the first time and on hostile stadium; not only they were the first Paraguayan winners – they were the first club outside the big trio of Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay to win Libertadores Cup. It was the first international trophy for Paraguayan football since 1953. Fantastic moment. Boca Juniors played their third consecutive final and lost it.
Standing from left: Mouzo, Sune, Zanabria, Pernia, Santos, Bordon. Crouching: Mastrangelo, Salguero, Benitez, Perotti, Suarez. This is not the team which lost to Olimpia – it is rather an illustration of the small shortcomings of Boca. Strong team, to be sure, but hardly one to build a dynasty. Strong players, long squad – Gatti, Squeo, Sa, Capurro, Palacios, Salinas , Rocha, the list was long. Experienced stars, but.. hardly top rate. There was something missing – a bit more class, a bit more talent, a bit more will. Boca Juniors won twice, but failed at the third attempt. Yet, they stayed as leading Argentine team and one of the strongest in South America at the time. Only they were not extraordinary.
Fantastic year for Olimpia – their first, but not last international success. Starting as underdog, the Paraguayans conquered Copa Libertadores in style: they lost only one match during the whole campaign: the away match against Bolivar (Bolivia) in the first round. It was small loss – 1-2. At the final Olimpia did not even allow Boca to score a goal, keeping a clean sheet. It was historic victory in every aspect, even the small one of using sponsor's add on their shirts – they were first in that.
Crouching, from left: Isasi, L. Torres, Villalba, Talavera, Aquino. Standing: Solalinde, Paredes, Kiese, Gimenez, Almeyad, Piazza. Anonymous team... no wonder nobody paid attention to them. But it was not a team of lucky nobodies – it was well made team, combining experience with young talent. Paraguayan players were never famous, but one has to keep in mind that most players of this team were members of the national team - and they were yet to add another victory this year. It was more than just promising bunch – some of this team would play and define the national team of Paraguay for years. Plenty of talent, which Luis Cubilla utilized in great way. Carlos Kiese (b. 1957), Osvaldo Aquino (b. 1952), Rogelio Delgado (b. 1959), Evaristo Isasi (b. 1955), Alicio Solalinde (b. 1952), Roberto Paredes, Luis Torres, Ruben 'Toto' Gimenez, and the missing on the photo Jorge Guasch (b. 1961) – young and bright, most of them already members of the national team, and they all played for it long. Hugo Talavera (b. 1949), the veteran, providing class and authority, also was a national team regular. One and a half foreigners completed the team with their solid experience: both were Uruguyan born. The defender Miguel Angel Piazza (b. 1952) was not famous, but was well respected player, who already had played for serious clubs (Penarol and the Argentine San Lorenzo and Newell's Old Boys). The goalkeeper Ever Hugo Almeyda (b. 1948) was a different story – he started his career in Uruguay back in the 1960s, but joined Olimpia in 1973 and played for the club until 1991! In 1975 he took Paraguayan citizenship and was included in the national team – he played 22 games for Paraguay. Already old, experienced, solid keeper. And he was not the only player loyal to Olimpia – most of this team played long years for the club. They became instant legends and remained so for the club, but most of them had big role in Paraguayan football of the 1970s and 1980s too. A great team. And Cubilla – also remarkably loyal to Olimpia – saw their potential, trusted them, and shaped them into internationally successful squad. Young coach and young squad – what could be better: thanks to this year Olimpia joined the ranks of the best South American clubs – and stayed there.
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Monday, January 19, 2015
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Saturday, January 17, 2015
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
The UEFA Cup.
West German and English clubs were seen as favourites plus Spanish
Valencia with Mario Kempes and Rainer Bonhof. Until the 1/8 finals
nothing sensational happened – strong team were eliminated only
when paired with equals. Thus, Athletic Bilbao was eliminated by
Ajax, Twente by Manchester City, and Torino by Sporting Gijon in the
the first round. In the 1/16 finals Standard Liege lost to Manchester
City, Hajduk Split to Arsenal and Benfica – to Borussia
Moenchengladbach. The only surprise was the elimination of Everton by
Dukla Prague. In the third round Milan lost to Manchester City in a
battle of equals, but other results were surprising: VfB Stuttgart
lost to Dukla Prague after initial 4-1 victory. But Dukla won 4-0 in
Prague and went ahead. Ajax was beaten 1-4 by Honved in Budapest
and there was no recovery – they won 2-0 at home, but lost by a
goal. Arsenal was eliminated by Crvena zvezda – the first match in
Belgrade ended well for the Gunners: they lost 0-1 and nobody
expected difficulties in the second leg. But Crvena zvezda played
tough: 1-1 tie eliminated Arsenal. The biggest surprise was the
elimination of Valencia – true, so far they were shaky as visitors,
depending entirely on home matches, and the opponent was one of the
rising English clubs – West Bromwich Albion – but Valencia was
seen as the favourite. WBA tied their away match – 1-1 and won the
home game 1-0. Three of the big favourites were gone in this round:
Valencia, Arsenal, and Milan. The draw continued to play jokes in the
next round too – Manchester City faced Borussia Moenchengladbach
and Crvena zvezda – West Bromwich Albion. Borussia comfortably
eliminated Manchester City – 1-1 away and 3-0 home victory. Crvena
zvezda repeated their clash with Arsenal – 1-0 home victory and 1-1
tie away.
The ½
finalists were interesting group – the supremacy of West German
football was confirm: so far, only one – VfB Stuttgart – was
eliminated. Three of the last four team in the tournament were West
German. Crvena zvezda – bravely beating the odds so far, for they
eliminated three strong opponents – Sporting Gijon, Arsenal, and
West Bromwich Albion – was the forth semi-finalist. Strangely, the
three West German teams had weak season at home. Hertha and MSV
Duisburg were trying to avoid relegation at the time of the ½
finals. This was seen as a prime example of the supremacy of West
German football – even their lowest teams were way stronger than
the clubs of the rest of Europe. One of the finalists was to be West
German. Very likely the final would be all German – and it came
very close to that. Borussia managed to tie the first match against
MSV Duisburg – 2-2 and the second leg was at home. Relatively
speaking, for Borussia almost never played international matches at
their small stadium in Moenchengladbach. Home match, even when played
in another city, is still home match... Borussia won 4-1. Hertha and
Crvena zvezda were similar so far – both scored little and depended
heavily on away ties, but if Crvena zvezda had tough draws and had to
play with strong opponents, Hertha had it easy – Trakia (Plovdiv,
Bulgaria) in the first round, then Dinamo (Tbilisi), followed by
Esbjerg fB (Denmark), and Dukla (Prague) at the ¼ finals. Hertha
were simply lucky so far, but... they were Germans. Crvena zvezda was
hosting the first match – for a third time in row and for a third
time they won 1-0. And for a third time they were expected to lose
in the second leg and eliminated, and for a third time they tied 'the
surely lost' match 1-1. Alas, no... in West Berlin Hetha won. 2-1.
Crvena zvezda went ahead thanks to their away goal.
The final
opposed one of the greatest clubs of the 1970s to strong and
traditionally respected Yugoslavians. Crvena zvezda was no joke –
they eliminated Spanish, two English, and West German teams. There
was no favourite at the final. Perhaps Borussia was favoured a bit
more than Crvena zvezda – but hardly in the Borussia camp. Fate
continued to play its joke – once again the first leg was in
Belgrade. In front of 87 000 frenetic fans, predominantly supporting
the home team, Crvena zvezda continued to repeat earlier games: they
opened the result in the 21st
minute. And did not allow Borussia to score equalizer... but the
match ended 1-1. Jurisic scored in his own net in the 60th
minute.
Final 1st
Leg, Red Star Stadium, Belgrade, 9 May 1979, att 87000
Red Star (Belgrade) (1) 1 Borussia M'gladbach (0) 1
21' 1-0 R: Sestic
60' 1-1 B: Jurisic (OG)
Red Star (Belgrade)
Stojanovic; Jovanovic, Miletovic, Jurisic, Jovin; Muslin (Krmpotic),
Petrovic, Blagojevic, Milosavljevic (Milovanovic); Savic, Sestic
Borussia M'gladbach
Kneib; Vogts, Hannes, Schäffer, Ringels; Schäfer, Kulik, Nielsen (Danner),
Wohlers (Gores); Simonsen, Lienen
Nothing was
decided yet – two weeks later the foes met again, this time in
Dusseldorf and in front of half the crowd attending the first leg.
Home advantage was hardly an issue, not only because Borussia played
away – huge number of Yugoslavians were working in West Germany and
visiting Yugoslavian teams always had massive support. It was to be
great battle.
Captains
Vladimir Petrovic and Berti Vogts shaking hands before the match –
two great players eager to win. But it was not easy... Borussia took
early lead – Simonsen scored from a penalty in the 15th
minute.
The call was
bit dubious – especially to Yugoslav eyes – but there was plenty
of time. In which nobody scored again. Crvena zvezda lost the final.
Final 2nd Leg, Rheinstadion, Dusseldorf, 23 May 1979, att 45000
Borussia M'gladbach (1) 1 Red Star (Belgrade) (0) 0
15' 1-0 B: Simonsen (pen)
Borussia M'gladbach
Kneib; Vogts, Hannes, Schäffer, Ringels; Schäfer, Kulik (Köppel), Gores,
Wohlers; Simonsen, Lienen
Red Star (Belgrade)
Stojanovic; Jovanovic, Miletovic, Jurisic, Jovin; Muslin, Petrovic,
Blagojevic, Milovanovic (Sestic); Savic, Milosavljevic
Berti Vogts, sporting Crvena zvezda shirt, collected the UEFA Cup. More tired than happy, but winner to the end of his playing days.
The losing finalists became legends instantly.
Crvena zvezda had a strong team, which reached European cup final for the first time in the club's history. Strong campaign and, from some perspective, they were unbeaten – Borussia really did not score: Jurisic scored own goal in Belgrade and Simonsen scored from suspicious penalty. Almost winners... winners in folklore... legends are made of such stuff. But something is undeniable – internationally, this vintage was the most successful.
The main heroes – legends, without too many stars: Vladimir Petrovic, the only remaining player of the excellent squad of the first half of the 1970s, was the big name. Savic and may be Sestic were coming close to the great players of the previous vintage. The rest were not at the same level – but it was a good team and success may them club legends. If Crvena zvezda was at its prime, Borussia was another story.Berti Vogts and company with yet another trophy was one of the most familiar pictures of the time. But it was a swan song this year.
On paper, everything looked great – Borussia won their second UEFA Cup. The names were familiar and dangerous – Lattek at the helm, Heynckes learning the trade as assistant coach,Vogts, Koppel, Kleff, Danner – as alaways, Simonsen – European player of the year, Del'Haye at his prime, strong younger players – Kulik, Klinkhammer, the next Danish talent – Tycosen... Strong, but not as strong as the team of only few years back. One after another, the stars left – either retired or to play in Spain. The clock was ticking dangerously for the last great veterans... Alan Simonsen followed the path of Netzer, Jensen, Stielike, Bonhof right after the end of the season and went to Barcelona. There was nobody of the similar class among the next generation – Del'Haye, as good as he was, was not at all a great star and the others were reliable professionals, but no more. Decline was already taking place, inevitable decline – it was the end of one of the teams defining and revolutionizing football in the decade. They had one more spurt of greatness, but really 1978-79 was year Borussia stepped down – in great style, as winners, fortunately. This was their last international triumph – long decline laid ahead.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Monday, January 5, 2015
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Traditional English
football was alive – thanks to the cup tournaments. Both cup finals
were attended by 100 000 fans each and were entertaining. Liverpool
did not reach either final. Lowly Woolverhampton Wanderers and 3rd
Division Watford played at the semi-finals. Neither was easily
eliminated. Southampton and Nottingham Forest apposed each other at
the Football League Cup final. Peach and Holmes scored for
Southampton. Woodcock and Birtles scored for Nottingham. But Birtles
scored 2 goals – and Forest prevailed 3-2.
Southampton was not much –
they finished 14th in the championship and were typical
English formation: one great veteran – Alan Ball, one or two
current or rising stars – Chris Nicholl and Phil Boyer. A
'continental' addition,which apparently settled well – Ivan Golac.
The Yugoslavian was the first of the new imports to reach a final.
Southampton played heartily, but were unable to win the cup.
Nottingham Forest
prevailed – it was not an easy victory, but it was theirs. Second
League Cup in two years. One more trophy – a club without any just
two years ago was quickly building a collection. So far, Brian Clough
was more successful with Nottingham than with Derby County early in
the decade. His finest years, apparently.
The FA Cup final opposed
traditional foes – Arsenal and Manchester United. Both teams
looked inferior in the championship, but excelled in the cup, thus
actually showing that English traditions were alive. Competitive
final too – McQueen and McIllroy scored for ManUnited; Talbot,
Stapleton,and Sunderland for Arsenal. 3-2 Arsenal and the Cup was
theirs.
Happy – and tired –
winners. 5th FA Cup for the Gunners. They waited 8 years
for that one. Had to wait 14 years for the next...
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