The Apertura 2011, was won by the best team, Boca Juniors, which does not mean to say that they were or are a brilliant team.
They deserved the title on the basis of their order, tidiness, and efficiency. They broke many records in the process too (least goals conceded, unbeaten champions, biggest points difference to the team that came second), but the mediocrity of the other teams, spoils their party a little bit for me.
Now to me that can only mean a good thing. Come January, there will be activity on the transfer market, and I expect the clausura 2012 to be probably the most fiercely contested of the last few years.
The end of 2011 will find 3 of the biggest teams in the country under new Presidencies and with something to prove.
Boca’s opposition recently won the elections, and will be under immediate pressure to repeat the local title, and perform well on the continental competition too.
The 2 Avellaneda giants (Independiente and Racing) will want to progress too after their elections.
Ramon Diaz, seems to have stabilised Independiente and narrowly missed qualification to the Copa Libertadores (equivalent to the Champions League), and I am sure he will get new names to make the red devils strong again.
Racing finished second, far from Boca, and if they can guarantee to keep the same base, plus a few new names, they should still remain competitive.
New eras are dawning on 2 traditional teams too, Velez and Estudiantes.
Velez did not have enough depth to tackle international and local competitions and paid the price for it. However I am sure that they have learnt their lesson, and will bring some more players.
Estudiantes started to rediscover their form towards the end of the tournament, and will be invigorated by the news that Veron will continue to play for another 6 months.
My 2 dark horses to improve and put a good fight are Tigre and Argentinos Juniors.
They are at the moment struggling in the relegation battle, but they have good players and can play neat football. All they will need is more consistency.
Tigre, kept improving game after game and I am sure if they keep the same base, the team will surprise a few.
In the relegation battle, one of the big teams is really compromised there. San Lorenzo will need to produce something special to help them keep top flight status.
Overall I have good expectations for the next tournament, as I believe it will be more open and attacking than the last one that just finished.
Argentina needs a good season to give the loyal supporters something to cheer about.