Opening game of the Apertura 2009 has high expectations for Argentine giants Boca Juniors coming off a disappointing Clausura tournament placement of 14th.

Boca Juniors will facing off in La Bombonera and should provide the advantage they need to fight off another weak showing opponent from the previous season, Argentinos Juniors, who placed dead last. These two teams, where legend Diego Maradona played, have much to gain in this opening game. Another poor showing in this year’s Apertura will put Argentinos at risk for relegation next year. Any points earned in the famous Boca stadium could give them the confidence they need to proceed and compete with the other greats of Buenos Aires.

Boca Juniors, coming off a poor showing in the 2009 Copa de Libertadores and even worse showing in the

 

2009 Clausura need to make a good showing for themselves early on. By only winning 6 games of the 19 in the tournament, Boca made headlines by skeptics calling out “the end of a history”.  Now currently at risk of going out early in the first round of the Copa Sudamericana due to a home tie with Clausura champions Vélez Sarsfield, Boca need to give their fans hope, and should expect nothing less than 3 points. Head coach Alfio Basile has assembled a great squad with a good showing in the off season acquiring Federico Insúa from Club América and Chilean star Gary Medel. With the losses of Rodrigo Palacio (Genoa) and Fabián Vargas (Almería), Boca will need to rely heavily on the talent of veterans Martín Palermo and Juan Roman Riquelme and youngster Pablo Mouche to bring on a dangerous attack.

Argentine futbol is back this Sunday and Boca will defend their place in history while Argentinos Juniors will do what they can to remain fighting in the first division of Argentine soccer.