2007–08 Argentine Primera División season
| Season | 2007–08 |
|---|---|
| Champions |
Apertura: Lanús (1st title) Clausura: River Plate (35th title) |
| Relegated |
Olimpo San Martín (SJ) |
| 2008 Copa Sudamericana |
Estudiantes San Lorenzo Argentinos Juniors Independiente |
| 2009 Copa Libertadores |
Lanús River Plate |
| Top goalscorer |
Apertura: Germán Denis (18 goals) Clausura: Darío Cvitanich (13 goals) |
|
← 2006–07 2008–09 → | |
The Apertura 2007 saw much success for the smaller teams in Argentine football. The eventual champions Lanús won the title for the first time in their history, the first maiden champions since Argentinos Juniors in 1984.
Second place went to Tigre, a club playing their first season in the Argentine Primera since 1980 and making their best finish ever in the top flight.
Third place went to Banfield, completing an extremely unlikely top three.
Another small club, Arsenal won the 2007 Copa Sudamericana, the first major title in their history, making them the first Argentine club other than Boca Juniors to win an international competition since San Lorenzo won the Copa Sudamericana 2002.
Another feature of the Apertura was the number of managerial changes, by the end of the Apertura there had been 12 managerial changes.
The Clausura 2008 was won by River Plate, their first title since 2004.
Torneo Apertura
Standings
| Pos |
Team |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lanús | 19 | 11 | 5 | 3 | 34 | 21 | +13 | 38 | 2008 Copa Libertadores Second Stage |
| 2 | Tigre | 19 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 28 | 20 | +8 | 34 | |
| 3 | Banfield | 19 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 22 | 21 | +1 | 32 | |
| 4 | Boca Juniors | 19 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 32 | 18 | +14 | 31 | |
| 5 | Argentinos Juniors | 19 | 9 | 4 | 6 | 29 | 20 | +9 | 31 | |
| 6 | Estudiantes (LP) | 19 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 27 | 19 | +8 | 30 | |
| 7 | Huracán | 19 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 24 | 21 | +3 | 30 | |
| 8 | San Lorenzo | 19 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 29 | 27 | +2 | 29 | |
| 9 | Independiente | 19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 33 | 23 | +10 | 28 | |
| 10 | Vélez Sarsfield | 19 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 25 | 25 | 0 | 27 | |
| 11 | Newell's Old Boys | 19 | 8 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 22 | −6 | 27 | |
| 12 | Arsenal | 19 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 19 | 24 | −5 | 26 | |
| 13 | Racing | 19 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 23 | 24 | −1 | 25 | |
| 14 | River Plate | 19 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 31 | 33 | −2 | 23 | |
| 15 | Colón | 19 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 19 | 22 | −3 | 22 | |
| 16 | Olimpo | 19 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 18 | 24 | −6 | 22 | |
| 17 | Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) | 19 | 5 | 5 | 9 | 22 | 31 | −9 | 20 | |
| 18 | Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) | 19 | 5 | 4 | 10 | 15 | 27 | −12 | 19 | |
| 19 | San Martín (SJ) | 19 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 18 | 29 | −11 | 18 | |
| 20 | Rosario Central | 19 | 2 | 8 | 9 | 21 | 33 | −12 | 14 |
Source: AFA
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 defining the champion. If two or more teams are tied in point at the end of the tournament, a playoff will be held at a neutral venue within 72 hours for the championship
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.
Top Scorers
| Position | Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Germán Denis | Independiente | 18 |
| 2 | José Sand | Lanús | 15 |
| 3 | Martín Palermo | Boca Juniors | 13 |
| 4 | Leandro Lázzaro | Tigre | 10 |
| 5 | Néstor Silvera | San Lorenzo | 9 |
| 5 | José Vizcarra | Rosario Central | 9 |
| 7 | Facundo Sava | Racing | 8 |
| 8 | Fernando Belluschi | River Plate | 7 |
| 8 | Néstor Ayala | Tigre | 7 |
| 8 | Álvaro Pereira | Argentinos Juniors | 7 |
| 8 | Luis Tonelotto | San Martín (SJ) | 7 |
Torneo Clausura
Table positions as of June 22, 2008.
Standings
| Pos |
Team |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | River Plate | 19 | 13 | 4 | 2 | 29 | 13 | +16 | 43 | 2009 Copa Libertadores Second Stage |
| 2 | Boca Juniors | 19 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 33 | 15 | +18 | 39 | |
| 3 | Estudiantes (LP) | 19 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 30 | 21 | +9 | 39 | |
| 4 | San Lorenzo | 19 | 11 | 2 | 6 | 30 | 21 | +9 | 35 | |
| 5 | Vélez Sarsfield | 19 | 9 | 5 | 5 | 24 | 17 | +7 | 32 | |
| 6 | Independiente | 19 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 25 | 15 | +10 | 31 | |
| 7 | Argentinos Juniors | 19 | 9 | 3 | 7 | 23 | 24 | −1 | 30 | |
| 8 | Newell's Old Boys | 19 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 21 | 19 | +2 | 29 | |
| 9 | Rosario Central | 19 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 26 | 23 | +3 | 27 | |
| 10 | Arsenal | 19 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 22 | 25 | −3 | 25 | |
| 11 | Colón | 19 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 25 | 27 | −2 | 23 | |
| 12 | Banfield | 19 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 36 | 36 | 0 | 22 | |
| 13 | Huracán | 19 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 15 | 17 | −2 | 22 | |
| 14 | Tigre | 19 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 24 | 37 | −13 | 22 | |
| 15 | Olimpo | 19 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 21 | 32 | −11 | 20 | |
| 16 | Lanús | 19 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 26 | 39 | −13 | 18 | |
| 17 | Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) | 19 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 19 | 26 | −7 | 17 | |
| 18 | San Martín (SJ) | 19 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 20 | 30 | −10 | 17 | |
| 19 | Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) | 19 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 20 | 28 | −8 | 15 | |
| 20 | Racing | 19 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 14 | 22 | −8 | 15 |
Source: AFA
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 defining the champion. If two or more teams are tied in point at the end of the tournament, a playoff will be held at a neutral venue within 72 hours for the championship
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.
Top Scorers
Positions as of June 25, 2008
| Position | Player | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Darío Cvitanich |
Banfield | 13 |
| 2 | Martín Palermo |
Boca Juniors | 10 |
| 3 | Martín Bravo |
San Martín (San Juan) | 9 |
| Germán Denis |
Independiente | ||
 Santiago Salcedo |
Newell's Old Boys | ||
| Diego Buonanotte |
River Plate | ||
| 7 | Rubén Ramírez |
Colón | 8 |
| Luciano Leguizamón |
Arsenal | ||
| César Carranza |
Gimnasia (Jujuy) | ||
| 9 | Daniel Montenegro |
Independiente | 7 |
 Santiago Silva |
Vélez Sársfield | ||
| Gonzalo Bergessio |
San Lorenzo | ||
| José Sand |
Lanús |
Relegation
| Pos |
Team | 2005–06 Pts |
2006–07 Pts |
2007–08 Pts |
Total Pts |
Total Pld |
Avg |
Relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boca Juniors | 83 | 83 | 70 | 236 | 114 | 2.07 | |
| 2 | Estudiantes (LP) | 52 | 81 | 69 | 202 | 114 | 1.772 | |
| 3 | River Plate | 62 | 71 | 66 | 199 | 114 | 1.746 | |
| 4 | San Lorenzo | 56 | 73 | 64 | 193 | 114 | 1.693 | |
| 5 | Vélez Sarsfield | 58 | 56 | 59 | 173 | 114 | 1.518 | |
| 6 | Lanús | 58 | 59 | 56 | 173 | 114 | 1.518 | |
| 7 | Independiente | 55 | 57 | 59 | 171 | 114 | 1.5 | |
| 8 | Tigre | 0 | 0 | 56 | 56 | 38 | 1.474 | |
| 9 | Argentinos Juniors | 50 | 46 | 61 | 157 | 114 | 1.377 | |
| 10 | Arsenal | 44 | 62 | 51 | 157 | 114 | 1.377 | |
| 11 | Huracán | 0 | 0 | 52 | 52 | 38 | 1.368 | |
| 12 | Banfield | 59 | 39 | 54 | 152 | 114 | 1.333 | |
| 13 | Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) | 69 | 40 | 36 | 145 | 114 | 1.272 | |
| 14 | Newell's Old Boys | 51 | 38 | 53 | 142 | 114 | 1.246 | |
| 15 | Rosario Central | 45 | 52 | 41 | 138 | 114 | 1.211 | |
| 16 | Colón | 46 | 46 | 45 | 137 | 114 | 1.202 | |
| 17 | Racing | 44 | 49 | 40 | 133 | 114 | 1.167 | Relegation Playoff Matches |
| 18 | Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) | 51 | 43 | 35 | 129 | 114 | 1.132 | |
| 19 | Olimpo | 0 | 0 | 42 | 42 | 38 | 1.105 | Relegated to the Primera B Nacional |
| 20 | San Martín (SJ) | 0 | 0 | 35 | 35 | 38 | 0.921 |
Updated as of June 22, 2008; Source:AFA
Promotion playoff
Teams and schedules will be decided based on average after the end of the Closing tournament. The first and second legs of the final are scheduled to be played on June 25 and June 29, respectively.
| Date Time |
Venue | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Referee | Match Report(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-06-25 17:00 ET |
Estadio 15 de Abril, Santa Fe |
Unión Serrizuela  44' |
1-1 | Gimnasia (Jujuy) Carranza 34' |
Alejandro Sabino | Report (Spanish) |
| 2008-06-29 17:10 ET |
Estadio 23 de Agosto, San Salvador de Jujuy |
Gimnasia (Jujuy) Arraya 68' |
1-0 | Unión | Diego Abal | Report (Spanish) |
Gimnasia (Jujuy) wins 2-1 and stays in the Argentine First Division, while Unión de Santa Fe does not get promoted and remains in Argentine Nacional B.
| Date Time |
Venue | Home Team | Score | Away Team | Referee | Match Report(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008-06-25 20:10 ET |
Estadio Córdoba, Córdoba |
Belgrano Gigli 76' |
1-1 | Racing Sava 14' |
Gustavo Bassi | Report (Spanish) |
| 2008-06-29 14:10 ET |
Presidente Perón, Avellaneda |
Racing Moralez 10' |
1-0 | Belgrano | Sergio Pezzotta | Report (Spanish) |
Racing wins 2-1 and stays in the Argentine First Division, while Belgrano does not get promoted and remains in Argentine Nacional B.
International qualification
Copa Sudamericana
Qualification for the 2008 Copa Sudamericana is determined from an aggregate table of the Apertura and Clausura tournaments. The top four teams in the aggregate table qualify; Boca Juniors and River Plate are invited regardless of their standings in the season, this season Arsenal was also invited as defending champions.
Aggregate table
| Pos |
Team |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boca Juniors | 38 | 20 | 10 | 8 | 65 | 33 | +32 | 70 | 2008 Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 |
| 2 | Estudiantes (LP) | 38 | 19 | 12 | 7 | 56 | 35 | +21 | 69 | 2008 Copa Sudamericana First Stage |
| 3 | River Plate | 38 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 60 | 46 | +14 | 66 | 2008 Copa Sudamericana Round of 16 |
| 4 | San Lorenzo | 38 | 19 | 7 | 12 | 59 | 48 | +11 | 64 | 2008 Copa Sudamericana First Stage |
| 5 | Argentinos Juniors | 38 | 18 | 7 | 13 | 52 | 44 | +8 | 61 | |
| 6 | Independiente | 38 | 16 | 11 | 11 | 58 | 38 | +20 | 59 | |
| 7 | Vélez Sarsfield | 38 | 17 | 8 | 13 | 49 | 42 | +7 | 59 | |
| 8 | Lanús | 38 | 16 | 8 | 14 | 60 | 60 | 0 | 56 | |
| 9 | Newell's Old Boys | 38 | 16 | 8 | 14 | 37 | 41 | −4 | 56 | |
| 10 | Tigre | 38 | 16 | 8 | 14 | 52 | 57 | −5 | 56 | |
| 11 | Banfield | 38 | 16 | 6 | 16 | 58 | 57 | +1 | 54 | |
| 12 | Huracán | 38 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 39 | 39 | 0 | 52 | |
| 13 | Arsenal | 38 | 14 | 9 | 15 | 41 | 49 | −8 | 51 | 2008 Copa Sudamericana First Stage |
| 14 | Colón | 38 | 12 | 9 | 17 | 44 | 49 | −5 | 45 | |
| 15 | Olimpo | 38 | 12 | 6 | 20 | 39 | 56 | −17 | 42 | |
| 16 | Rosario Central | 38 | 9 | 14 | 15 | 47 | 56 | −9 | 41 | |
| 17 | Racing | 38 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 37 | 46 | −9 | 40 | |
| 18 | Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) | 38 | 9 | 9 | 20 | 34 | 53 | −19 | 36 | |
| 19 | Gimnasia y Esgrima (J) | 38 | 7 | 14 | 17 | 42 | 59 | −17 | 35 | |
| 20 | San Martín (SJ) | 38 | 10 | 5 | 23 | 38 | 59 | −21 | 35 |
Source: AFA
Rules for classification:
1st points; 2nd head-to-head points; 3rd head-to-head goal difference; 4th head-to-head goals
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.
Managerial Changes
This is a list of the managerial changes in the Argentine Primera during the 2007-2008 season.
Transfers
See List of Primera División Argentina football transfers - 2008-09.