Glorious History Cannot Save Abbondanzieri and Boca

What a difference a week has made for Boca Juniors goalkeeper Roberto “El Pato” Abbondanzieri. On October 25^th, Abbondanzieri was a hero for saving Ariel Ortega’s penalty and helping Boca salvage a 1-1 draw against River Plate.

            Then, Pato kept a clean sheet against Chacarita Juniors midweek, but his trip to Rosario Sunday to play his first club, Central, was hardly a happy homecoming.

            Just four minutes in, Jesus Mendez caught Abbondanzieri off balance and out of position from a free kick to give Central an early leg up. It was the fourth time this season the veteran has conceded from a free kick, brining to question his reactions and positioning.

            15 minutes from the end, after Boca had equalized from a beautiful free kick from Juan Krupoviesa, Abbondanzieri was caught out inexcusably at his near post by Gonzalo Castillejos. The loss has all but ended Boca's dream of winning the title, as nothing short of a miracle could see them overtake nine clubs with just seven rounds to go.

            As badly as El Pato performed yesterday, his errors simply mask the defensive deficiencies of the whole team. It is sometimes easy to make a goalkeeper the scapegoat, but Boca must look at their entire backline to see why only four clubs have conceded more goals this term.

Marking from corner kicks and set pieces has been a shortcoming throughout the Aperatura, and a couple of times Abbondanzieri has been forced to rescue his defense after poor marking, most notably against Tigre, when Pato was on hand to make many big saves to preserve the three points for Boca. Such is the story of Pato’s season: brilliant one week, clueless the next.

            Inconsistency comes with the territory of fielding older goalkeepers. Abbondanzieri has certainly had a storied career, having played over 200 times for Boca and winning 14 trophies with the club. He has had many memorable nights, most notably penalty shoot out wins against Pumas in the 2005 Copa Sudamericana Final and the 2003 Intercontinental Cup against AC Milan. 

            Abbondanzieri is best known for his Boca days, but he was a loyal servant for Argentina, playing 49 times for his country. Although he was never able to win a tournament for La Seleccion, El Pato helped Argentina reach the Copa America Final in 2004 and 2007, and the 2005 Confederations Cup Final, losing to Brazil on each occasion.

            In Spain, Abbondanzieri had a short but successful spell with Getafe, winning the Ricardo Zamora Trophy for best goalkeeper in La Liga during the 2006-2007 season. It was with Getafe, however, that we first saw chinks in El Pato’s armor.

            In the quarterfinals of the 2008 UEFA Cup, his side found themselves two up against Bayern Munich before Abbondanzieri fumbled a routine cross into the path of Luca Toni, giving the German side life. Moments later, Pato couldn’t reach Toni’s header and Getafe went out on away goals.

            Since returning to Boca, El Pato has had some dodgy moments, but nothing as drastic as those against Munich until yesterday, prompting the Argentine paper Ole to say: “No one can forget the glorious past of El Pato, but what they worry about is his present.” It may be unfair to say Abbondanzieri is finished at 37. Hugo Gatti, Boca's all- time appearance leader for a goalkeeper, played until he was 44. No one is expecting Pato to play for another seven seasons, but it would nice to see him make amends for yesterday’s debacle.

            What makes matters worse for Boca coach Alfio Basile: Pato is not the only star on his last legs. Captain Martin Palermo will turn 36 later this week, and even though he has been in fine scoring form of late, he was starved of service and completely ineffective against Central. One must wonder how much longer a man with the history of injuries of Palermo can continue to play at such a high level.

            Juan Roman Riquelme, who, at 31 years old, is youthful compared to Pato and Palermo, may be out for the rest of the Aperatura tournament, after missing earlier parts of the season through injury as well. Riquelme may still be the best in all of South America when fit, but injuries are certainly catching up to the former Barcelona man.

            At right back, Hugo Ibarra is 35 and suffering from an injury as well. Chilean Gary Medel has deputized well in two matches for Ibarra, but Medel is much more influential in midfield. Even when Ibarra does return, a long term solution at right back must be in the works.

            With the Copa Libertadores unlikely to be in the works next year, Boca must start rebuilding for the 2010 Clausura and beyond. It remains to be seen if players like Ibarra, Palermo, Abbondanzieri, Riquelme, and Sebastian Battaglia will play a role with Boca much further, but it is certain that they cannot go on forever.