The classic date is coming: because it is unique in the world, from the historical ones to the most ridiculous “couplings”.

A fan’s greatest joy is winning a classic. And the greatest misfortune is to lose it. There are the fans of the 28 teams, who will suffer next weekend for the match their team will play against their long-time rival. They will suffer, yes. Who said football is joy? Joy is playing with it. In the stands it is a 90-minute birth which, depending on the result, will define everyone’s mood for the following days. It’s like this.

There is only one champion, so winning the classic saves the year. How many coaches have kept their job by beating their usual rival in a bad season? And how many were fired after losing the classic? The statistics are numerous. And it will increase.

It’s difficult to measure the good and bad of programming. It is already known that Argentine football is a compendium of atrocities. A test: on Saturday five matches will be played at three different times. On Sunday there will be five more but in four halves and on Monday the long-awaited seventh round of the season will end. League Cup with four games at four different times of the day. But that’s not all: there will be four classics starting at 10pm and one at 9.45pm, almost the same thing. It is not for anyone’s harm but for everyone’s good. If they don’t go up in this way they won’t reach the television screens and since there will be no access for visitors, fans of those who play outside will have no choice but to sit in front of the television.

Does this absence guarantee peace? There is no way. There are countless encounters with the exclusive presence of local people who then end up in fights, scandals and even deaths on the streets of the city or shared neighborhood. There have been tragedies in this history that began at the beginning of the 20th century. How can we forget Gate 12? How can we forget that the River-Boca de la Libertadores was supposed to take place in Madrid?

There is a peculiarity in Argentina. There are more classics and they are hotter than in the rest of the world. Maybe the neighborhood is the cause. Flamengo-Fluminense or Corinthians-Palmeiras are the closest thing to what happens here. The situation is very different in Spain where Barcelona belongs to Barcelona and Real Madrid, despite being a global phenomenon, is becoming strong in the country’s capital. And in Italy, where the classic is Inter-Juventus and in the background there are the Inter-Milan or Turin-Juventus derbies. The same thing happens in the Premier League. Liverpool-United, the English classic, is not the same as Arsenal-Tottenham, the London classic, nor the same City-United that divides Manchester.

Maybe it has to do with the origin of the clubs. Boca and River were born in the same neighborhood. Students and Gimnasia share La Plata, Central and Newell’s have divided Rosario since its founding. How many families are divided by colour? How many couples separate for an hour and a half to dedicate themselves to the love of colors and not that of the heart? And another particular phenomenon occurs: no one is neutral. It may be that a football fan is not from Belgrano or Talleres, but when they face each other, that football fan will push for one of the two. The classics have that incomparable subtlety.

On this occasion some nonsense occurs. TIt has not yet been explained why Godoy Cruz and Independiente Rivadavia do not face each other and Tomba will play his classic with the Instituto, the team from Cordoba remained “in suspense”, while Leprosy from Mendoza will face Unión, another team left without rivals due to Colón’s relegation. What’s classic about Defensa-Riestra or Sarmiento-Barracas?

Fans of all will be attentive to two key issues: the injuries of each club. Boca, for example, will not have Pol Fernández and River will probably not have Borja. It’s not a little. The other problem is the referee. Since everything is under suspicion, the indicated surname will be examined from the side all week.

The protagonists’ statements will begin between now and Saturday. A way to measure team spirit. The traditional “banderazos” will also be prepared to greet the teams when they leave the concentration in the enemy camp. And the welcome party will be organized for whoever is the host. And everyone, absolutely everyone, will do their tricks, they will pray to their gods hoping that that hour and a half of secular mass will give them the joy they are waiting for.

The anecdotes of the classics are endless. River was champion and participated in the Olympic tour at La Bombonera. Boca were champions and gave it to Monumental. Rojitas stole Amadeo’s cap; Gatti started sweeping the area when he played for River and from the Boca stand they threw a broom at him. Delem and Rome. Agüero and his great goal against Racing after making Crosa dance. Carrasco produced a tremendous avalanche when he unleashed a free kick against Independiente. That left-handed Marito Zanabria at Central and Poy’s shot told wonderfully by Fontanarrosa in his anthology story “19 December 1971”. Estudiantes’ 7-0 at Gimnasia. The “classic, largest neighborhood in the world” between San Lorenzo and Huracán. Duel between quartet and fernet in Kempes. The southern crossing at Lanús-Banfield, the fierce Argentinos-Platense and the “there is no other choice” of which Vélez-Tigre will be the protagonist. When were they a classic?

Blood flows in the veins. The heart has already increased its pace. The wait is endless and when the games start, everything people put into play will depend on the ball going in or out near the post. Be immensely happy. Or feel like a poor, God-forsaken wretch.