Juan Carlos Lorenzo, 50 years since a historic Boca cycle began | OneFootball

On 15 February 1976, Boca Juniors launched a historic era with a 2-0 win over All Boys at La Bombonera in the Torneo Metropolitano opener.

Back then the Metropolitano and the Nacional made up Argentina's calendar. According to Sitiboca.com.ar, the match brought major firsts, Hugo Orlando Gatti's debut, Rubén José Suñé's return, Ernesto Enrique Mastrángelo on the right, and Juan Carlos Lorenzo's bow as coach after Rogelio Antonio Domínguez's 1973-1975 stint, plus Osvaldo Edmundo Gutiérrez at centre-back from Atlanta, while Gatti, Suñé and Mastrángelo arrived from Unión de Santa Fe.

Felman struck after 12 minutes and García Cambón added the second on 31 of the second half, both past Antonino Spilinga, who had kept goal for Boca 13 years earlier.

Lorenzo inherited a side built on attack and imposed a different stamp. With titles at San Lorenzo in 1972 and a European final with Atlético de Madrid in 1974, he reorganised the team, tightened the defence and prioritised efficiency.

Qualifying form was uneven, nine wins, seven draws and six defeats, including 1-5 to Rosario Central, when Mario Alberto Kempes hit three, and 1-3 to San Telmo at Parque de los Patricios.

In the decisive, neutral-venue stage between the top six of each zone, Boca raised their level. They beat Independiente and Newell's 2-1, then Colón 2-1, Gimnasia 3-2 and Rosario Central 2-1.

The title was sealed on 4 August with a 2-0 win over Unión, goals from Benítez and Toti Veglio, at River's stadium. It set lasting foundations.

Source: Sitiboca.com.ar