Historyyy - 1940 a 1962

THE OPENING OF THE BOMBONERA

1940

This season brought great news to Boca world: the opening of the Bombonera and the achievement of a new title.

The homelessness of the early years was over and the poor ground with wooden stands in Brandsen, Del Valle Iberlucea, Aristóbulo Del Valle and the Ferrocaril Sud tracks belonged to the past. The Xeneize religion needed a temple, and this came in 1940. La Bombonera, a titanic dream carried out by the management, led by Dr. Camilo Cichero, was inaugurated on 25 May with a 2-0 win over San Lorenzo, and that friendly was a real encouragement for Boca, who then won all 13 home games to take the title. A worldwide legend was born and in 1952 a third tier and artificial lighting were added, and then in 1966 VIP boxes. Even then it was a worldwide monument to football and a must-go for tourists and fans from everywhere.

A STRIKER WITH A BERET

1944

On 26 September 1943, at La Bombonera, Boca were losing by 1-0 to River when right fielder Lucho Sosa sent a cross in the centre and Severino Varela, the Uruguayan with a white beret, scored the equalizer with a full-length dive.

Then he scored again, gaining himself immortal affection of the fans and a place in history. In 1943 Boca would be champions by one point ahead of River, remaining unbeaten during 26 matches throughout two seasons, a record that would pass into the hands of José Pizzuti’s Racing in 1966 to return to La Boca in the late 90s thanks to Bianchi’s Boca that played 40 games without being defeated. The crowning was against Racing at the Monumental Stadium.

HARD TIMES

1949

The Boca campaign of 1948 was a warning of what was to come a year later. After the first players’ strike, the team finished 8th, their worst placement in the Professional era.

In 1949 more disappointments and troubles would come. Despite the arrival of a large number of players, the team played so badly that 5 days from the end of the season they were seriously in danger of being relegated. In a packed La Bombonera, though, Boca crushed Lanús by 5-1 and avoided relegation. Between 1945 and 1959, there were more disappointments than joys, winning just one title, and it became the worst period in its history.

THROUGH XENEIZE GUTS

1954

On 11 November 1954 Boca defeated Tigre by 1-0 and became champions for the first time in nine years.

The team led by Ernesto Lazzatti distinguished itself by great strength in its defense, with most merit belonging to goalkeeper Elijah Musimessi, the ‘singing goalkeeper’, and defenders Eliseo Mouriño and Natalio Pescia, later nicknamed ‘Leoncito’. In attack, it was José ‘Pepino’Borello who had to score goals. He was a tenacious forward,with a powerful shot, also remembered for scoring a goal from midfield against Vélezin Liniers. Borello did his duty with 19 goals and he was the top scorer of the tournament. Yet another success that placed Boca at the top of Argentine football, where they were meant to be.

ROMA, DELEM AND THE LEGEND

1962

Boca were already a popular passion but more episodes would increase their legendary status.

One of these was the Boca championship in 1962, which will always be remembered for the defeat of River at LaBombonera thanks to a penalty taken by Brazilian Delem and saved by Roma. It was a tough and intense team that scored a goal and then tightened. In 28 games they suffered just 18 goals against. Besides having Antonio Roma, Silvio Marzolini, Carmelo Simeone and Antonio Rattin, Boca could also count on a Brazilian striker who shone anytime he faced River, beating them 10 times. One of those goals earned a 1-0 win on the day Boca conquered another star. His name, Paulo Valentim.