Reaction to the Copa Libertadores final being moved to the Santiago Bernabeu differs according to where you are from.
In Madrid the response is: ‘oh good we can have a close look at our possible World Club Cup rivals’. In Barcelona and Bilbao it’s a saracastic: ‘Oh so there’s no building work on the toilets stopping you this time!’ And in Buenos Aires, at least according to daily paper Olé, it’s simply: ‘F***!’.
Olé also declared the decision ‘Argentina’s failure’ suggesting that the Liberators’ Cup should now be called the Conquistadors’ Cup. They failed to organise it safely in Buenos Aires so now it goes to Europe.
Sixteenth century colonialisms aside this is the lesser evil for Boca and River fans – there are 250,000 Argentines living in Spain, it’s the biggest community outside of the country itself and with the game kicking off at 8.30pm that will be 4.30pm local time in Buenos Aires. Not that that will be much consolation to the River fans left holding their tickets for the second leg in the Monumental Stadium.
This decision also represents a success for Luis Rubiales, the head of the Spanish FA.
The former Levante and Hamilton Academical defender has been accused of being a headstrong bullish character lacking in the diplomatic skills necessary for his job.
But this is a masterstroke bringing one of the biggest fixtures in world football to the Spanish capital. It’s a chance to show how well big games can be organised ahead of Spain's proposed bid to host the 2030 World Cup along with Morocco and Portugal.
Rubiales suggested the idea to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and he did not hesitate to green light a proposal that while not making any money for the club, or for the Spanish FA, will make the Santiago Bernabeu the only stadium to have hosted the World Cup, the European Championship final, the European Cup and now the Libertadores.
Avoiding the trouble that blighted the first two games will be the challenge but large followings from Argentina are not expected so the violent minority who blighted the original legs will not be in Madrid on December 9.
There are 100,000 Argentinians in Madrid alone so the ground could fill with 'locals'. CONMEBOL head Alejandro Dominguez said this week: ‘With Madrid as host the essence of the tournament will not be lost.’
The absence of too many of the River and Boca supporters who go to games every week might dampen the passion of the rivalry but in Madrid they believe that will also reduce the threat of trouble.
There will be blocks both in Buenos Aries and in Madrid to prevent members of the ‘Barras Bravas’ who ruined things in Argentina to stop them getting tickets for the game.
The president of Spain Pedro Sanchez has already promised that security services will be present in sufficient numbers to ‘guarantee the safety of the event’.
One of the many Argentine players to have made his home in Madrid is former Boca goalkeeper Hugo Gatti. He told Diario AS: ‘A minority of Argentine supporters soiled football but thanks to this decision we can clean our name with a huge party. I’m sure many of my countryman will spend their savings on being able to see it live.’
It remains to be seen how many do pay between 1,300 euros (for a 23 hour flight) and 2,500 euros (for a 12 hour flight) to be in Madrid for the game. Spain’s biggest airline Iberia has promised to put on more flights next week.
The stadium will be full regardless. Boca and River fan clubs all over Madrid crammed into bars last week to see the second leg, now they have the chance they never dreamed of – to see the game live.
Real Madrid also have a chance they were not expecting - to look at possible World Club Cup rivals. River Plate will train at Madrid’s Valdebebas facility from next Tuesday. Boca will train at the home of the Spain national team in Las Rozas, just outside the city.
Real Madrid have also been watching midfielder Exequiel Palacios for a long time now. Next week they can see him up close as he prepares for the final.
As for that complaint from Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao supporters regarding the stadium toilets: every time they reach the final of the Spanish Cup they request that the neutral venue chosen for the game is the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid, not wanting Barca winning silverware on their hallowed turf usually come up with a reason why they cannot possibly host the game.
In 2016 there was a Bruce Springsteen concert, in 2012 it was the urgent refurbishment of the stadium’s public conveniences.
This time there is no impediment. Madrid is ready for the final. Buenos Aires’ loss is the Spanish capital’s gain.