Bologna & Torino- South American Tour, 1929

Just 3 weeks after the decisive play off match that closed the 1928-29 Italian season, champions Bologna and runners up Torino were in South America on tour. The 2 squads sailed together from Genoa on the Conte Rosso.
The 2 sides had shared 205 goals during the domestic league season, Torino's Trio of Wonders (Rossetti, Libonatti and Baloncieri) scoring 89 between them. 
Following such an arduous season it is perhaps unsurprising that neither side was spectacular on tour. In fact one Torino historian went as far as to describe the excursion as a 'celebratory holiday'. 
 Bologna bolstered their ranks with guests:

Bologna- Gianni, Monzeglio, Gasperi, Genovesi, Baldi, Pitto, Martelli, Schiavio, Busini , Muzzioli (Bologna); Compiani, Tansini (Milan); Dugoni (Modena) Ferrari,  Banchero (Alessandria), Magnozzi (Livorno) , Costantino ( Bari).

I don't know the composition of the Torino squad, but among the tourists was  Roma's Rudolfo Volk, a future Capocannoniere.

Torino's Libonatti faced both his former club (Newell's Old Boys) and his former national team (Argentina).

25.07.29	Carioca Select	3	1	Bologna
28.07.29	Paulista Select	6	4	Bologna
30. 07.29	Corinthians	6	1	Bologna
10.08.29	Uruguay	0	1	Bologna
15.08.29	Argentina	3	1	Bologna
18.08.29	Argentina B	0	0	Bologna
21.08.29	Newell's Old Boys	2	1	Bologna
24.08.29	Huracan	2	1	Bologna
25.08.29	Argentina del Sud	1	2	Bologna
27.08.29	Boca Juniors	1	0	Bologna
30.08.29	Estudiantes de La Plata	3	3	Bologna
01.09.29	Santa Fè	3	0	Bologna
08.09.29	Palestra Italia	4	4	Bologna
10.09.29	Carioca Select	1	3	Bologna
14.09.29	Paulista Select	3	1	Bologna

P	W	D	L	F	A
15	3	3	9	23	38

28.07.29	Argentina	1	0	Torino
03.08.29	Argentina B	1	1	Torino
04.08.29	Argentina	4	1	Torino
08.08.29	Estudiantes de La Plata	5	0	Torino
10.08.29	Independiente	1	2	Torino
15.08.29	Rosario League	2	4	Torino
18.08.29	Newell's Old Boys	2	0	Torino
25.08.29	Uruguay	5	1	Torino
31.08.29	Peñarol	1	1	Torino
07.09.29	Carioca Select	6	0	Torino
10.09.29	Carioca Select	2	1	Torino
13.09.29	Palestra Italia	0	0	Torino
14.09.29	Paulista Select	6	1	Torino

P	W	D	L	F	A
13	2	3	8	12	36

Los Numerados

The above photograph dates from 1929. If you look at the centre panel you can see something unusual. The player with his back to the camera is plainly numbered. It's Chelsea right back George Smith, playing against Sport Club Corinthians Paulista.

Two Football League matches were played in August 1928 in which shirts were numbered, one being  Chelsea vs Swansea Town at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea didn't wear the numbered shirts in any other domestic matches that season, but the following summer they used them on their South America tour, earning the nickname Los Numerados. 

Whereas ten years previously an English team of any standard could have expected to dazzle the South Americans and win most matches easily, the balance of power was shifting slightly. Chelsea were a mediocre Division 2 side (they finished in 9th place in 1928-29), and on this tour they lost more games than they won and conceded more goals than they scored. 

A newspaper report of the Corinthians game, which ended in a 4-4 draw, reveals that the Brazilians were rather underwhelmed by Chelsea:

There were no dribbles from Chelsea at all, and they suffered when they were passing the ball. The midfielders are obscure, and can perform only what is expected of them. The defence has a strong goalkeeper (Sam Millington), who has to be highlighted. The centre-backs use way too many clearances, aiming to buy time, and have a bad habit of running forward and forcing the opponents to get offside.
If I had to praise one of their front men, it would be Elliot, a hard-working fellow who runs the attack. The only other player who deserves such praise is the goalkeeper. Another curious fact is the manner in which the professionals kick the ball: with the tip of their toes, not the best advice for anything other than special cases, like when the goal is near. 
Folha da Manha 

25.05.29	Combinado Buenos Aires	2	3	Chelsea	Buenos Aires
26.05.29	Provincia	4	0	Chelsea	Buenos Aires
30.05.29	Argentine Amateur Association	0	1	Chelsea	Buenos Aires
02.06.29	Combinado Buenos Aires	3	2	Chelsea	Buenos Aires
08.06.29	San Lorenzo Almagro	0	2	Chelsea	Buenos Aires
13.06.29	Peñarol	2	1	Chelsea	Montevideo
15.06.29	Independiente	1	1	Chelsea	Avellaneda
16.06.29	Select Rosario XI	2	1	Chelsea	Rosario
17.06.29	Unión Santa Fe	5	1	Chelsea	Santa Fe
20.06.29	Racing Club Avellaneda	1	0	Chelsea	Avellaneda
22.06.29	Estudiantil Porteño	2	3	Chelsea	Buenos Aires
0?.06.29	Wanderers	0	1	Chelsea	Montevideo
28.06.29	Cariocas	1	1	Chelsea	Rio Janeiro
30.06.29	Cariocas	2	1	Chelsea	Rio Janeiro
06.07.29	Corinthians	4	4	Chelsea	São Paulo
07.07.29	Paulistas	3	1	Chelsea	São Paulo

P	W	D	L	F	A
16	5	3	8	23	33