The Argentinean Primera Division has now entered a new era. A new league format, new teams, new officials and one retired magician, who we’re all going to miss.
Here are 10 facts you need to know about the new season of Argentina’s top competition.
1. The Biggest Competition
With its new format, the Primera Division will be the biggest league in the world, with 30 (!) teams from all over the country. It was the idea of the former President of the Argentinean Football Association, Julio Grondona , just before he passed away.
2. The Format
Each club will face the other 29 clubs once, except for the Clásicos clashes, which will be played twice. Matches like Boca-River, Rosario-Newell’s and Racing-Independiente will double-thrill the fans and the bookies. What about the smaller clubs? They will play the ‘wannabe’ Clásicos, against their closest team, geographically. This is part of a three year programme to reduce the league to 22 or 24 teams and to play on parallel dates to the European season.
3. New Faces
Cruzero Del Norte and Aldosivi will play their first season in the top division. Sarmiento are back after 32 years and Temperley return after 28 years.
4. Travel, Travel and more Travel
Independiente de Avellaneda will be the team to travel the most. Two games in Rosario, two in Santa Fé, Mendoza, San Juan, Misiones and Mar del Plata. Backpacking in Argentina, anyone
5. But I Want to Watch Them All
This will be a hard one. Each match day will have 15 matches, which works out at 1,585 minutes (game time and half time combined), or 26.4 hours. That’s more than a whole day. That’s a lot!
6. Referees
From 10 officials each match day, there are now 15. Many of them are young rookies, who just about have their first experience of top division league football, So we can look forward to a lot of mistakes. May God and luck be with them!
7. The Party is Not over
Two playoff phases will be played at the end of the season. Places 3 to 6 will fight for a spot in the Copa Libertadores, while places 7 to 18 will compete for a place in the Copa Sudamericana.
8. Same Game, New Ball
A new ball, called Argentums 2015, will be used in the competition It is decorated with the Argentinean flag. That’s Nice.
9. Vice World Champions
It will be an interesting tournament. After all, this is the league of the country that was in the final of the last World Cup. Although only 3 players from the Albicelesta squad will be playing: Gago (Boca), Maxi (Newell’s) and Orion (Boca).
10. Juan Roman Riquelme
Maestro. He won’t be there. We will miss him.
By Dor Hoffman