Metropolitano. The notorious financial problems of Argentine football were already so common place, no need even to mention them. The exodus of players continued at high rate, as a result, and no wonder the big clubs suffered. It was not their year at all and if anything, new low level was settling – one of the ‘big 5’ was already in the second division, the others were nowhere to be seen this season. And a second famous club was relegated. Two teams went down, those with the worse 3-year average and co-incidentally or not, those two finished at the bottom of the table. However, it was not all doom and gloom – for some, this was great year. All depends on the standpoint.
Atlanta finished 19th and was relegated – hardly a surprise.
Rosario Central was 18th and also relegated – now, this was troublesome news. This was the club which gave Mario Kempes to the world. They were champions and one of the strongest teams in the 1970s. But the decade was over and the 80s were nothing like the 70s – the club was weak and steadily going down. To the second division.
Huracan was playing with fire too – they ended 17th and it was hard to believe they were one of the most exciting Argentine sides 10 years ago. Staying in the top league was the only concern now…
Boca Juniors was another disgrace, perhaps the biggest one – 16th! Never mind having Gatti, up and coming Rugeri, and two Uruguayan stars – Krasouski and the aging Morena – in its squad. A season fans surely wanted to forget.
Independiente was also down, 14th, but theirs might have been different case – very likely they concentrated on international football and not really caring for domestic football. This squad pretty much suggest so: mostly reserves. Certainly not a squad aiming at winning.
Modest Temperley finished 13th. Circumstances were in their favour – staying in the league was the obvious concern and weak big clubs helped such a modest aim. It was good for local pride to finish above Boca, Huracan, Rosario Central, Independiente.
Instituto (Cordoba) finished 11th.
Chacarita Juniors – 10th.
Talleres (Cordoba) – 9th.
Above them the 5th of the ‘Big’ – San Lorenzo. Not a great season for them either.
Newell’s Old Boys finished 7th.
Velez Sarsfield – 6th. Standing from left: Vanemerak, Cuciuffo, Navarro Montoya, Larraquy, Fren, Lucca.
First row: Bujedo, Lucero, Bianchi, Meza, Fabián Vázquez.
Wonderful season for Racing (Cordoba) – 5th.
River Plate – 4th. Call it ‘rebuilding’, if you like. Call it weak and troublesome time, if you wish. They were not in the title race at all, although were the best performing of the ‘Big 5’. Standing from left: Saporiti, Olarticoechea, De los Santos, Karabín, Jorge García, Pumpido.
First row: Bica, Francescoli, Villalba, Alfaro, Tapia.
Three teams fought for the title.
Estudiantes (La Plata) finished with bronze. 48 points were just not enough for a title, but the boys ended 5 points ahead of River Plate. Estudiantes had a good spell at this time, so nothing extraordinary to see them among the favourites. Standing from left: Agüero, Islas, Russo, Issa, Camino, Herrera. Front row: Trobbiani, Vieta, Trama, Sabella, Ponce.
Ferro Carril Oeste was 2nd with 50 points. One point short from a title, but Ferro had splendid year and there were hardly any regrets. Standing from left: Arregui, Brandoni, Garré, Cúper, Marchesini, Basigalup.
Front: Agonil, Oscar Acosta, Cañete, Noremberg, Crocco.
A team without stars, but in perfect form.
No matter what criticism Argentine football at the time was facing, this club surely begged to differ: there was no better time for them. Argentinos Juniors won its very first title. A historic achievement – so far, their best was 2nd place with Diego Maradona leading them. Without him – champions! It was a very long wait, but the reward was fantastic. Here are the heroes, instantly becoming immortal. Standing from left: Olguín, Domenech, Pavoni, Vidallé, Villalba, Batista.
First row: Castro, Videla, Pasculli, Commisso, Ereros.
A team without stars, and this opinion is cemented in history too, but was it true? Well, they had no outstanding figure – like Maradona 5 year ago, or Francescoli of the current vintage of River Plate, or old and almost legendary player like Velez Sarsfield’s Carlos Bianchi, but still they had good talent – Pavoni, Pasculli, Juan Jose Lopez all played for Argentina. Olguin and Batista were world champions with the national team. Commisso and Domenech had well respected careers. Since their immediate rivals, let alone the ‘Big 5’, did not have famous and star-studded squads, Argentinos Juniors were actually very good team. And they were also young squad, up and coming – Lopez, Olguin, and Pavoni were the only players over 30 years of age, the rest were in their early 20s. Add Jorge Pellegrini, the future famous coach. And add some quite unusual youngsters: the 20-years old striker Armando Dely Valdes from Panama and the first US player in Argentina, the 21-years old striker straight from New York, Renato Corsi. Looks like novelty, but apparently Argentinos Juniors did something other Argentine clubs failed to try: in times of short money and massive exodus of talent it was profitable to get cheap young talent from unlikely places. Both Dely Valdes and Corsi stayed with the club during the whole wonderful period, both joining the club in 1983. May be not a truly great squad from all-time point of view, but for the moment very solid and highly promising selection. This is fantastic moment for the club, but it was not going to be one-time wonder – the best period in the history of Argentinos Juniors just started and there was more to come. Excellent victory.