Estudiantes Make Wise Choice to Prioritize Domestic Glory

In the European Champions League it is common for teams to go for broke in two or three different competitions, and in some cases (see Barcelona last season) win all of them.

In South America, a number of factors make winning the Copa Libertadores and a domestic title in the same season considerably more difficult.

The first of these circumstances is economical; while European clubs buy up big names from all over the world, particularly South America, the clubs exporting players suffer mainly with squad depth.

There simply is not enough quality in the majority of South American squads to play one Wednesday and then put out an equally strong team Sunday, especially when injuries and suspensions take their toll.

The second element that makes achieving the double so difficult in South America is geography.

In Europe, flights are relatively short, and although Barcelona and Lyon were both forced to travel by bus this past week due to the ash cloud that has European airports in its clenches, the majority of travel is done in a few hours.

In South America, the distances are much longer, especially considering that Mexican clubs take part in the Copa Libertadores.

Third issue combines the two: European clubs are used to traveling on chartered flights, while South American clubs fly commercial, and not always in first class.

Altitude is another troublesome factor and something most European clubs are relatively unaccustomed to. Often times a team from Argentina will arrive in Lima, Quito, or La Paz with less than 24 hours to acclimate to the height, which also leads to recovery issues after returning to Argentina, and forces coaches to make changes.

This week two Argentine clubs had to make the 12 hour flight to Mexico in the Copa Libertadores Round of 16, with each taking a vastly different approach.

With chances of glory in Argentina’s Clausura Tournament out of the question, Velez Sarsfield put out a reserve team Friday night against Tigre before traveling with his first unit to Guadalajara to face Chivas on Tuesday.

Estudiantes made a different choice.

With the unprecedented chance at the double, which has not been achieved since River Plate pulled it off in 1986, manager Alejandro Sabella played his starters against River Saturday night in Quilmes. He decided, however, to leave his big guns, including captain Juan Sebastian Veron and leading scorer Mauro Boselli, at home.

Although the likes of goalkeeper Agustin Orion, wingback Clemente Rodriguez, and striker Gaston “El Gata” Fernandez are likely starters, the side will be much weaker than the one that beat a struggling River 1-0 over the weekend.

Why then did Sabella make such a decision? Why did he not rest his stars against a River Plate side fighting relegation and sitting in 17th place? Why will he take reserves to face San Luis when he could easily have rested his starters against an already relegated Chacarita Juniors the following Sunday?

The answer is twofold; the current form San Luis certainly played a part (they sit in last place in Mexico at the moment), but also the respect for the local league.

It is impossible to say for sure if Sabella would have brought a reserve team had San Luis been flying high, but he is still taking a massive risk. Should Estudiantes falter in the altitude, as they did when they lost 4-1 to Alianza Lima with their starters, they will be all but eliminated from the competition. 

Sabella will almost certainly set his team up not to lose, in order to settle the tie in front of the home fans next week, when San Luis will be suffering from jet lag.

River Plate, albeit down at the moment, are the biggest club in Argentina and must always be respected. Sabella, who played for River, knew it would be a difficult game, and did everything he could to achieve the all important victory that put his team a point clear of Argentinos Juniors and two of Godoy Cruz and Independiente.

The respect for the local league always plays to the club’s desire to be the best in the country, after receiving the title of best in South America last season.

As Estudiantes lifted the Copa Libertadores in 2009, Sabella often rested the likes of Veron (who played just nine games in last year’s Clausura and has already played 14 this year) and Estudiantes finished in sixth, 11 points off the pace set by Velez.  

Sabella’s move is a commendable one, as in recent years we have seen the Clausura become diluted with “B” teams playing while coaches played their starters in the Copa, regardless of the opponent.

For a fan, while winning the Copa Libertadores is an amazing achievement, being the best club in your own country is the ultimate sense of achievement over your traditional rivals. This gives the fans of Estudiantes something to hold over the heads of all their countrymen, whether it be in the stadium or in a café or bar.

Win or lose, Sabella has made the best choice for his club, and with a little luck, they could pull off the impossible.