BOCA BRING TITLE TO THE PEOPLE
                   So anyway, the saga goes on: another victory against Newell’s and then... four
                   draws on the trot including one at River in the Monumental with another goal
                   from me that left Duckface Fillol and Bugs Tarantini flat on their arses. But, I
                   mean, four draws! For Boca, for that Boca side, it was pushing things too far.

                   Then came Colón. An incredible game. It was July 26. They kicked hell out
                   of us and then ended up pulling out ’cause they reckoned the ref had been
                   biased against them. They were relegated and we were on the home straight in
                   the title race. We still had to face Ferro who were the team to beat... Yes, they
                   were looking better organised than us. But of course, the strength of Ferro’s
                   support is one thing and the strength of Boca’s is another. Boca is the people.

                   Ferro ran rings round us at the Bombonera. They were unbelievable. But the
                   ones who came away with the two points were Boquita. Our beloved Boca!

                   On 2 August 1981, Ferro forced us to play in our own goalmouth. The number
                   of goals El Loco Gatti stopped was incredible. He was man of the match. We
                   beat old Timoteo Griguol’s team and we got the lead we needed. We were on
                   the verge of doing the lap of honour. Nothing, nobody could stop us.

                   At least that’s what I thought when we travelled to Rosario convinced we’d
                   have the title under our belts one fixture before the end of the championship.
                   We were playing Central in the Gigante de Arroyito stadium and we needed a
                   draw for the title. That grim Sunday 9 August, I had the title at my feet but let
                   it get away. I missed the penalty that would have made us champions and
                   even today I still can’t forgive myself... The sadness on the Boca fans’ faces
                   on the road back to Buenos Aires
 

~Chapter 8

Chapters Index~

Chapter 10~