2008–09 Argentine Primera División season

The 2008-09 Primera División season was the 118th season of top-flight professional football in Argentina and the nineteenth season in which the Apertura and Clausura system is used.

Primera División
Season2008–09
ChampionsApertura:
Boca Juniors (29th title)
Clausura:
Vélez Sarsfield (7th title)
RelegatedGimnasia y Esgrima (J)
San Martín (T)
2009 Copa LibertadoresBoca Juniors
San Lorenzo
Estudiantes (LP)
2010 Copa LibertadoresVélez Sarsfield
2009 Copa SudamericanaLanús
Vélez Sarsfield
San Lorenzo
Tigre
Top goalscorerApertura:
José Sand (15 goals)
Clausura:
José Sand (13 goals)
Season:
José Sand (28 goals)
← 2007–08

Boca Juniors won the Apertura championship for their 29th national title after a three team playoff with Tigre and San Lorenzo. The Clausura championship was won by Vélez Sársfield for their 7th national title. Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) and San Martín (T) were relegated to the Primera B Nacional.

Format

The format for the 2008-09 season remained unchanged. The season was split into two tournaments called Apertura and Clausura. Each tournament was contested by the same 20 teams in a single round-robin format. The champions of each tournament is determined by points. If the tops teams would be tied at points at the end of each tournament, a playoff would be held at a neutral site. Relegation was determined at the end of the season.

Club information

Promotion and relegation

Olimpo and San Martín (SJ) were relegated at the end of the 2007–08 Primera División season. They were replaced by Godoy Cruz and San Martín (T), both of whom were promoted from the Primera B Nacional.

Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) and Racing played the relegation/promotion playoffs against Unión and Belgrano, respectively. Both Gimnasia and Esgrima (J) and Racing won their playoff matches and retained their status in top-flight football.

Club City Stadium Capacity
Argentinos Juniors Buenos Aires Diego Armando Maradona 24,800
Arsenal Sarandí Julio H. Grondona 16,300
Banfield Banfield Florencio Sola 40,500
Boca Juniors Buenos Aires Alberto J. Armando 49,000
Colón Santa Fe Brigadier General Estanislao López 32,500
Estudiantes (LP) La Plata Jorge Luis Hirschi 23,000
Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) San Salvador de Jujuy 23 de Agosto 24,000
Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) La Plata Juan Carlos Zerillo 24,544
Godoy Cruz Godoy Cruz Malvinas Argentinas 40,268
Huracán Buenos Aires Tomás Adolfo Ducó 48,314
Independiente Avellaneda Libertadores de América 52,823
Lanús Lanús Ciudad de Lanús - Néstor Díaz Pérez 46,619
Newell's Old Boys Rosario Newell's Old Boys 38,095
Racing Avellaneda Presidente Juan Domingo Perón 51,000
River Plate Buenos Aires Monumental Antonio V. Liberti 65,645
Rosario Central Rosario Dr. Lisandro de la Torre 41,824
San Lorenzo Buenos Aires Pedro Bidegain 43,494
San Martín (T) Tucumán La Cuidadela 35,000
Tigre Victoria Monumental de Victoria 26,282
Vélez Sársfield Buenos Aires José Amalfitani 49,540

Personnel

Club Manager
Argentinos Juniors Claudio Borghi
Arsenal Jorge Burruchaga
Banfield Julio César Falcioni
Boca Juniors Abel Alves
Colón Antonio Mohamed
Estudiantes (LP) Alejandro Sabella
Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) Héctor Arzubialde
Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) Leonardo Madelón
Godoy Cruz Diego Cocca
Huracán Ángel Cappa
Independiente Américo Gallego
Lanús Luis Zubeldía
Newell's Old Boys Roberto Sensini
Racing Ricardo Caruso Lombardi
River Plate Néstor Gorosito
Rosario Central Miguel Ángel Russo
San Lorenzo Diego Simeone
San Martín (T) Carlos Roldán
Tigre Diego Cagna
Vélez Sarsfield Ricardo Gareca

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of
departure
Date of
vacancy
Replaced by Date of
appointment
Position
in table
Apertura changes
Huracán Claudio Úbeda Resigned Sep. 14, 2008 Héctor Martínez (interim) Sep. 15, 2008 20th
Estudiantes (LP) Roberto Sensini Resigned Sep. 17, 2008 Leonardo Astrada Sep. 20, 2008 18th
Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) Guillermo Sanguinetti Resigned Sep. 29, 2008 Leonardo Madelón Oct. 2, 2008 12th
Independiente Claudio Borghi Resigned Oct. 5, 2008 Miguel Ángel Santoro Oct. 6, 2008 15th
Rosario Central Pablo Sánchez Sacked Oct. 6, 2008 Gustavo Alfaro Oct. 10, 2008 19th
Godoy Cruz Daniel Oldrá Resigned Oct. 28, 2008 Diego Cocca Oct. 29, 2008 18th
Huracán Héctor Martínez (interim) End of contract Nov. 3, 2008 Ángel Cappa Nov. 4, 2008 15th
River Plate Diego Simeone Resigned Nov. 9, 2008 Gabriel Rodríguez (interim) Nov. 10, 2008 20th
Vélez Sarsfield Hugo Tocalli Resigned Dec. 3, 2008 Pedro Larraquy (interim) Dec. 4, 2008 6th
Inter-tournament changes
Argentinos Juniors Néstor Gorosito Resigned Dec. 14, 2008 Claudio Vivas Dec. 27, 2008 11th (A)
Vélez Sarsfield Pedro Larraquy (interim) End of contract Dec. 15, 2008 Ricardo Gareca Dec. 16, 2008 9th (A)
River Plate Gabriel Rodríguez (interim) End of contract Dec. 15, 2008 Néstor Gorosito Dec. 23, 2008 20th (A)
Newell's Old Boys Fernando Gamboa Resigned Dec. 16, 2008 Roberto Sensini Dec. 22, 2008 5th (A)
Clausura changes
Racing Juan Manuel Llop Sacked Feb. 21, 2009 Ricardo Caruso Lombardi Feb. 24, 2009 20th
Rosario Central Gustavo Alfaro Sacked Feb. 28, 2009 Reinaldo Merlo Mar. 2, 2009 18th
Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) Omar Labruna Resigned Mar. 10, 2009 Héctor Arzubialde Mar. 11, 2009 19th
Estudiantes (LP) Leonardo Astrada Resigned Mar. 11, 2009 Alejandro Sabella Mar. 15, 2009 18th
Independiente Miguel Ángel Santoro Resigned Mar. 21, 2009 Américo Gallego Mar. 27, 2009 8th
Banfield Jorge Burruchaga Resigned Mar. 22, 2009 Julio César Falcioni Mar. 23, 2009 9th
San Lorenzo Miguel Ángel Russo Resigned Apr. 9, 2009 Diego Simeone Apr. 16, 2009 10th
Rosario Central Reinaldo Merlo Resigned Apr. 14, 2009 Miguel Ángel Russo Apr. 16, 2009 9th
Arsenal Daniel Garnero Sacked Apr. 25, 2009 José Rizzo (interim) Apr. 26, 2009 16th
Arsenal José Rizzo (interim) End of contract May 4, 2009 Jorge Burruchaga May 5, 2009 18th
Argentinos Juniors Claudio Vivas Resigned May 23, 2009 Claudio Borghi Jun. 2, 2009 20th
Boca Juniors Carlos Ischia Resigned Jun. 16, 2009 Abel Alves (interim) Jun. 17, 2009 15th

Transfers

Torneo Apertura

The Torneo Apertura (English: Opening Tournament) was played between August 6 to December 14, 2008. The champions earned a spot in the 2009 Copa Libertadores.

Standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 San Lorenzo 19 12 3 4 34 17 +17 39 Qualification for Championship playoff
1 Boca Juniors 19 12 3 4 33 21 +12 39
1 Tigre 19 12 3 4 31 19 +12 39
4 Lanús 19 11 4 4 34 23 +11 37
5 Newell's Old Boys 19 8 7 4 26 18 +8 31
6 Arsenal 19 8 4 7 26 27 1 28
7 Estudiantes (LP) 19 8 4 7 24 25 1 28
8 Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) 19 6 9 4 17 15 +2 27
9 Vélez Sarsfield 19 7 5 7 22 27 5 26
10 Colón 19 5 8 6 29 25 +4 23
11 Argentinos Juniors 19 5 8 6 25 26 1 23
12 Godoy Cruz 19 6 5 8 25 28 3 23
13 Banfield 19 5 8 6 18 21 3 23
14 Racing 19 5 7 7 19 22 3 22
15 Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) 19 6 3 10 19 31 12 21
16 San Martín (T) 19 5 5 9 15 18 3 20
17 Huracán 19 5 5 9 18 29 11 20
18 Independiente 19 4 6 9 15 23 8 18
19 Rosario Central 19 4 3 12 20 26 6 15
20 River Plate 19 2 8 9 20 29 9 14
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. This does not apply to determining the champion. If two or more teams would be tied in points at the end of the tournament, a playoff would be held at a neutral venue within 72 hours for the championship.

Results

Home \ Away ARJ ARS BAN BOC COL EST GJU GLP GCR HUR IND LAN NOB RAC RIV RCE SLO SMT TIG VEL
Argentinos Juniors 0–0 5–0 2–0 0–4 0–1 0–0 0–1 2–0 4–1
Arsenal 3–0 3–2 0–1 3–2 2–1 1–0 1–1 2–2 2–2 3–3
Banfield 2–2 0–1 0–0 1–2 0–0 2–1 1–0 2–1 1–3 2–2
Boca Juniors 3–2 1–2 4–0 1–1 2–1 2–1 2–1 1–0 2–3 2–3
Colón 5–2 0–1 0–0 1–1 1–2 3–3 1–1 1–1 2–2
Estudiantes (LP) 2–0 2–2 2–0 3–1 1–0 1–0 1–1 1–1 3–1
Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) 1–1 0–1 2–0 1–4 1–1 2–1 4–3 1–0 1–0 1–0
Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) 1–1 0–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 3–1 1–0 0–1 0–0 1–0
Godoy Cruz 1–1 4–1 2–1 2–3 0–0 1–0 1–0 1–2 1–3
Huracán 0–3 1–0 1–0 1–1 1–0 0–2 1–4 0–3 3–0
Independiente 1–1 1–2 0–1 3–2 1–1 1–1 0–2 0–1 1–0
Lanús 4–2 2–1 1–1 3–2 1–1 4–3 0–0 2–0 1–0
Newell's Old Boys 2–4 1–1 1–0 2–1 3–0 1–0 3–3 2–0 1–0
Racing 0–2 2–1 0–0 1–1 1–1 0–2 4–1 2–1 0–0 0–0
River Plate 1–2 0–1 1–2 3–3 1–1 3–3 2–0 0–0 1–2
Rosario Central 3–0 0–0 0–1 3–2 3–0 0–1 1–2 1–2 1–1 2–3
San Lorenzo 2–0 3–0 3–0 2–1 1–1 4–1 1–3 2–1 1–0 0–1
San Martín (T) 0–0 1–0 0–1 1–2 1–1 1–1 2–0 2–0 0–2 3–1
Tigre 2–1 1–0 1–0 3–1 2–0 1–0 3–0 3–1 1–2
Vélez Sarsfield 0–3 1–0 2–0 0–2 0–0 0–2 2–1 0–1 2–0 1–1
Source: RSSSF
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Championship playoff

Since San Lorenzo, Tigre and Boca Juniors ended the tournament with the same number of points, a three-way playoff was played to determine the champions.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Boca Juniors (C) 2 1 0 1 3 2 +1 3 Qualification for 2009 Copa Libertadores Second Stage
2 Tigre 2 1 0 1 2 2 0 3
3 San Lorenzo 2 1 0 1 3 4 1 3
Source: RSSSF
(C) Champion.
Tigre1–2San Lorenzo
Lázzaro  76' Report Barrientos  18'
Bergessio  20'
Estadio José Amalfitani, Buenos Aires
Referee: Saúl Laverni


 Primera División
2008 Apertura Champions 
Boca Juniors
29th title

Top Goalscorers

Pos Player Team Goals
1 José Sand Lanús 15
2 Martín Morel Tigre 13
3 Esteban Fuertes Colón 11
4 Alejandro Gómez Arsenal 8
Mauro Boselli Estudiantes (LP)
6 Rubén Ramírez Colón 7
Lucas Viatri Boca Juniors
Pablo Barrientos San Lorenzo
Leonel Núñez Independiente
Carlos Luna Tigre

Source: Scorer Stats (in Spanish)

Torneo Clausura

The Torneo Clausura (English: Closing Tournament) began on February 6, 2009 and ended on July 5, 2009. The champions earned a spot in the 2010 Copa Libertadores.

Standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Vélez Sarsfield (C) 19 11 7 1 29 13 +16 40 Qualification for 2010 Copa Libertadores Second Stage
2 Huracán 19 12 2 5 35 19 +16 38
3 Lanús 19 12 2 5 32 26 +6 38
4 Colón 19 10 4 5 29 19 +10 34
5 Racing 19 8 6 5 23 21 +2 30
6 Estudiantes (LP) 19 8 5 6 22 18 +4 29
7 Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) 19 7 7 5 23 21 +2 28
8 River Plate 19 7 6 6 24 25 1 27
9 Godoy Cruz 19 7 5 7 23 26 3 26
10 Rosario Central 19 7 4 8 23 21 +2 25
11 San Lorenzo 19 7 3 9 27 26 +1 24
12 Banfield 19 6 5 8 25 25 0 23
13 Tigre 19 6 5 8 24 25 1 23
14 Boca Juniors 19 6 4 9 22 25 3 22
15 Newell's Old Boys 19 4 9 6 21 22 1 21
16 Independiente 19 6 3 10 22 36 14 21
17 San Martín (T) 19 5 5 9 20 23 3 20
18 Arsenal 19 4 6 9 19 30 11 18
19 Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) 19 4 5 10 15 24 9 17
20 Argentinos Juniors 19 2 9 8 19 32 13 15
Source: AFA
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.
(C) Champion.
 Primera División
2009 Clausura Champions 
Vélez Sarsfield
7th title

Results

Home \ Away ARJ ARS BAN BOC COL EST GJU GLP GCR HUR IND LAN NOB RAC RIV RCE SLO SMT TIG VEL
Argentinos Juniors 0–2 1–1 2–0 0–1 1–1 2–4 1–1 2–1 0–0 2–2
Arsenal 3–1 0–1 0–0 1–1 4–1 0–5 1–1 1–1 2–0
Banfield 2–0 1–0 2–2 3–1 5–0 0–1 3–1 0–0 0–3
Boca Juniors 3–0 2–1 2–3 1–2 1–1 3–1 0–2 1–1 3–0
Colón 1–1 2–0 1–3 1–0 2–0 0–0 2–0 3–0 2–0 2–4
Estudiantes (LP) 3–2 1–0 1–3 1–0 1–0 1–1 1–0 0–0 0–0 2–1 0–1
Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) 1–2 0–0 4–1 0–2 0–2 0–1 0–3 1–1 0–1
Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) 1–1 2–0 2–0 3–2 0–0 1–1 1–2 0–1 3–1
Godoy Cruz 1–0 1–1 1–3 2–2 1–1 2–0 0–1 1–0 3–2 0–2
Huracán 4–1 3–0 2–1 0–1 2–1 0–2 3–2 3–0 4–0 1–0
Independiente 2–0 0–1 1–5 2–1 4–1 2–0 3–1 0–1 4–1 0–0
Lanús 1–0 2–1 0–3 5–1 2–1 3–1 2–1 2–1 2–1 1–1
Newell's Old Boys 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 1–1 3–0 1–1 2–2 1–0 0–1
Racing 1–1 4–1 1–0 3–0 1–0 1–4 2–1 1–0 1–2
River Plate 3–1 2–0 2–2 1–2 1–0 2–2 2–0 1–1 2–1 3–1
Rosario Central 2–1 2–0 0–1 1–2 1–1 0–1 1–2 3–1 1–1
San Lorenzo 3–0 3–1 1–1 1–2 0–1 0–2 1–1 5–1 0–1
San Martín (T) 1–0 0–1 0–1 3–0 2–3 0–1 3–0 2–2 0–0
Tigre 1–1 0–0 2–1 2–0 0–1 1–1 4–1 0–1 1–3 1–2
Vélez Sarsfield 1–1 2–0 2–1 2–0 4–0 1–0 2–0 2–2 1–1
Source: RSSSF
Colours: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Top Goalscorers

Pos Player Team Goals
1 José Sand Lanús 13
2 Daniel Montenegro Independiente 12
Esteban Fuertes Colón
4 Hernán López Vélez Sarsfield 11
Carlos Luna Tigre
6 Santiago Silva Banfield 9
7 Leandro Caruso Godoy Cruz 8
Radamel Falcao River Plate
Gonzalo Bergessio San Lorenzo
10 Javier Pastore Huracán 7
Martín Palermo Boca Juniors

Source: AFA

Relegation

Relegation from the Primera Division was determined on the basis of performance over the last three seasons. Every club had its points earned divided by the number of matches played and an average (Spanish: promedio) was determined. The clubs who finished in 17th and 18th played a relegation play-off against the 3rd and 4th placed clubs in Primera B Nacional. The clubs who finished in 19th and 20th were directly relegated to Primera B Nacional.

Pos
Team 2006–07
Pts
2007–08
Pts
2008–09
Pts
Total
Pts
Total
Pld
Avg
Relegation
1 Boca Juniors 83 70 61 214 114 1.877
2 Estudiantes (LP) 81 69 57 207 114 1.815
3 San Lorenzo 73 64 63 200 114 1.754
4 Lanús 59 56 73 190 114 1.666
5 Vélez Sarsfield 56 59 66 181 114 1.587
6 River Plate 71 66 41 178 114 1.561
7 Tigre 56 62 118 76 1.552
8 Huracán 52 58 110 76 1.447
9 Arsenal 62 51 46 159 114 1.394
10 Independiente 57 59 39 155 114 1.359
11 Colón 46 45 57 148 114 1.298
12 Godoy Cruz 49 49 38 1.289
13 Argentinos Juniors 46 61 38 145 114 1.271
14 Newell's Old Boys 35 56 52 143 114 1.254
15 Racing 49 40 52 141 114 1.236
16 Banfield 39 54 46 139 114 1.219
17 Rosario Central 52 41 40 133 114 1.166 Relegation Playoff Matches
18 Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) 40 36 55 131 114 1.149
19 San Martín (T) 40 40 38 1.052 Relegation to Primera B Nacional
20 Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) 43 35 38 116 114 1.017

Source:AFA

Relegation/promotion playoffs

Team 1 Agg. Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg
Relegation/promotion playoff 1
Atlético de Rafaela 3–3 Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) 3–0 0–3
Relegation/promotion playoff 2
Belgrano 1–2 Rosario Central 0–1 1–1

Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) remained in the Argentine First Division after a 3–3 aggregate tie by virtue of a "sports advantage". In case of a tie in goals, the team from the First Division gets to stay in it. Rosario Central won 2–1 and stayed in the Argentine First Division, while Belgrano does not get promoted and remains in Argentine Nacional B.

International qualification

Copa Libertadores

The Apertura champions qualified for the 2009 Copa Libertadores and the Clausura champions qualified to the 2010 Copa Libertadores. The last two Argentina spots for the 2009 Copa Libertadores were determined by the sum of all points obtained in the past three tournaments.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Boca Juniors[lower-alpha 1] 57 32 13 12 98 54 +44 109 Qualification for 2009 Copa Libertadores Second Stage
2 San Lorenzo 57 31 10 16 93 65 +28 103
3 Estudiantes (LP) 57 27 16 14 60 60 0 97 Qualification for 2009 Copa Libertadores First Stage
4 Tigre 57 28 11 18 83 76 +7 95
5 Lanús[lower-alpha 2] 57 27 12 18 94 83 +11 93 Qualification for 2009 Copa Libertadores Second Stage
6 Newell's Old Boys 57 24 15 18 63 59 +4 87
7 Vélez Sarsfield 57 24 13 20 71 69 +2 85
8 Argentinos Juniors 57 23 15 19 77 70 +7 84
9 River Plate[lower-alpha 3] 57 21 17 19 80 75 +5 80 Qualification for 2009 Copa Libertadores Second Stage
10 Arsenal 57 22 13 22 67 76 9 79
11 Banfield 57 21 14 22 76 78 2 77
12 Independiente 57 20 17 20 73 61 +12 77
13 Huracán 57 18 18 21 57 67 10 72
14 Colón 57 17 17 23 73 74 1 68
15 Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) 57 15 18 24 51 68 17 63
16 Racing 57 14 20 23 56 68 12 62
17 Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) 57 13 17 27 61 90 29 56
18 Rosario Central 57 13 17 27 67 82 15 56
19 Godoy Cruz 19 6 5 8 25 28 3 23
20 San Martín (T) 19 5 5 9 15 18 3 20
Source: AFA
Notes:
  1. Boca Juniors qualified as 2008 Apertura champions.
  2. Lanús qualified as 2007 Apertura champions.
  3. River Plate qualified as 2008 Clausura champions.

Copa Sudamericana

Qualification for the 2009 Copa Sudamericana was determined from an aggregate table of the Apertura and Clausura tournaments. The top four teams in the aggregate table qualified; Boca Juniors and River Plate were invited every year till this season, regardless of their standings in the season.

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Lanús 38 23 6 9 66 49 +17 75 2009 Copa Sudamericana First Stage
2 Vélez Sarsfield 38 18 12 8 51 40 +11 66
3 San Lorenzo 38 19 6 13 61 43 +18 63
4 Tigre 38 18 8 12 55 44 +11 62
5 Boca Juniors 38 18 7 13 55 46 +9 61
6 Huracán 38 17 7 14 53 48 +5 58
7 Colón 38 15 12 11 58 44 +14 57
8 Estudiantes (LP) 38 16 9 13 46 43 +3 57
9 Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) 38 13 16 9 40 36 +4 55
10 Newell's Old Boys 38 12 16 10 47 40 +7 52
11 Racing 38 13 13 12 42 43 1 52
12 Godoy Cruz 38 13 10 15 48 54 6 49
13 Arsenal 38 12 10 16 45 57 12 46
14 Banfield 38 11 13 14 43 46 3 46
15 River Plate 38 9 14 15 44 54 10 41 2009 Copa Sudamericana First Stage
16 Rosario Central 38 11 7 20 43 47 4 40
17 San Martín (T) 38 10 10 18 35 41 6 40
18 Independiente 38 10 9 19 37 59 22 39
19 Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) 38 10 8 20 34 55 21 38
20 Argentinos Juniors 38 7 17 14 44 58 14 38
Source: AFA
Rules for classification: 1st points; 2nd head-to-head points; 3rd head-to-head goal difference; 4th head-to-head goals

See also

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