The colossal, new-look, 30-team Primera división gets underway on Friday when newly promoted Aldosivi visit Vélez and after a long summer of meaningless, money spinning friendlies it is good to have competitive football back. That is in spite of the ten new sides making up Julio Grondona’s much debated Primera that leaves us with a bloated weekly fixture list and an utterly ludicrous calendar intent on milking the clásicos and as a result inventing a few more. That aside….Welcome back to the Argentine Primera.
The Torneo Transición is a distant memory now, except for Racing fans who are still celebrating their first title since 2001, and Diego Cocca’s side will be hoping to repeat the feat come the end of 2015. The long championship format will of course make this a very different beast and Racing will also need to juggle their Copa Libertadores commitments. However, they are not alone in this and the likes of River, Boca and San Lorenzo will be hoping they too can mount a challenge on two fronts.
Ten promoted sides gives the Primera some new and surprising faces and while seeing the likes of Crucero del Norte and Temperley in the top flight is on the one hand refreshing, the nature of the promotions is deeply dissatisfying. No relegations last season and five promotion places from two Nacional B leagues of eleven made it the most watered-down achievement possible. The result of which is what we face now, Julio Grondona’s final wish. Fifteen matches each weekend make it a hectic schedule but additionally deeply imbalanced. Everyone will play each other once (fair enough), except clásicos which will be played home and away (But what about those sides that do not have a natural clásico in the league?). Never fear, AFA have simply made up a few so that everyone still plays 30 matches but obviously many mean very little in comparison to those that are ACTUAL clásicos.
Anyway, with transfers and preseason drawing to an end and the curtain about to rise on the 2015 Primera let us run down all THIRTY clubs….
Club Atlético Aldosivi
Transición position: 5th in Nacional B Zona A (promoted after playoff)
Promoted by the finest of margins, Aldosivi are one of the sides who have hugely benefitted from the new format and who, as a result, will be expected to be in the scrap down at the bottom to avoid an immediate return to the second tier.
Transfers: Attacking midfielder, Martín Rivero arrived from Chivas USA in an effort to bring some creativity to attack and in defense, Aldosivi added Carlos Soto from Belgrano and youngster, Guillermo Ortíz from Newell’s on loan.
Preseason: A busy preseason schedule has seen Aldosivi take on a number of lower league opposition and perhaps slightly worringly they have been shipping goals. Two 3-2 defeats to Unión and Los Andes concluded their training camp at home in Mar del Plata and they will certainly need to tighten up over the coming weeks.
Opening fixture: Vélez Sarsfield (away) on Friday Feb 13th
Clásico: Crucero del Norte
Argentinos Juniors
Transición position: 3rd in Nacional B Zona A
Crucially Argentinos eventually confirmed their status back in the top flight after a season full of worry and nerves in the penultimate round of fixtures. However, the big story surrounding Los Bichos was the retirement of Juan Román Riquelme. The great number 10 returned to where it all began for him and helped them to promotion before finally calling it a day on his career. Néstor Gorosito must now reestablish Argentinos as a Primera club after their brief spell in the Nacional B.
Transfers: The departure of Riquelme dominated their activity but there were also farewells for the influential Juan Ramírez (Colarado Rapids) and Matías Caruzzo (San Lorenzo). Youngster, Gaspar Iñíguez was reportedly close to a move to Hellas Verona but after the deal fell through he remains in Argentina, unforunately San Lorenzo may also be taking the 20-year-old.
To bolster the squad Gorosito has brought in experienced midfielder Matías Giménez, striker Andrés Franzoia, Martín Alaníz, Joaquin Laso, Federico Gallego, Emiliano Agüero and Jonathan Rodríguez.
After a limp Transición, doing just enough for promotion, consolidation is probably the name of the game for Argentinos.
Preseason: A strong preseason for Los Bichos shows some signs of life after Riquelme. Wins over Círculo Deportivo Otamendi, Defensa y Justicia, Unión and Excursionistas might not mean a great deal but there were promising signs from some of the new signings and Franzoia already found himself among the goals.
Opening fixture: Atlético Rafaela (home) on Sunday Feb 15th
Clásico: Nueva Chicago
Arsenal de Sarandí
Transición position: 9th in Primera
Perhaps the only Primera side to mourn the loss of Julio Grondona, the death of the AFA President leaves Arsenal in a slightly uncertain position. Unless of course you do not buy into the suggestion that the club have benefitted from their friends in high places, in which case Martín Palermo’s side will look to build on a hugely inconsistent Transición performance with a strong home record and a dreadful away record. Given the loss of key man, Brahian Alemán it is unlikely Arsenal will improve on their position of last season but another mid-table finish is probable.
Transfers: The departure of Brahian Alemán will be keenly felt in Sarandí with the Uruguayan in fine form last season prompting a move to Barcelona (of Ecuador). Fabián Muñoz arrived from Newell’s to perhaps fill the attacking void left by Alemán and additionally Palermo brought in defender, Nicolás Correa and Maxi Herrera, who was deemed surplus to requirements at Independiente.
Preseason: Difficult to read too much into Arsenal’s preseason after two narrow wins over lower league opposition were followed by an abandoned friendly against Lanús because of rain. Victory over Temperley and a draw against Ferro concluded their preseason. Arsenal will be pleased to have retained goalkeeper, Esteban Andrada and certainly over the summer they did not concede too many goals.
Opening fixture: Estudiantes (home) on Monday Feb 16th
Clásico: Defensa y Justicia
Atlético de Rafaela
Transición position: 13th in Primera
La Crema’s Transición ended disastrously with a 6-1 home defeat to Arsenal and Roberto Sensini’s side could be in for a difficult 2015 as things stand at the moment. Key players have been sold and although they have perhaps punched above their weight since promotion in 2011, Atlético may find themselves dragged back into the mix this year.
Transfers: The talented Lucas Albertengo was snapped by Independiente and his absence will be felt up front but additionally Sergio Vittor and Nicolás Royón from the midfield have moved on. The three played almost every match last season and Sensini will be hoping his new signings hit the ground running. Defender Germán Ré arrived from Estudiantes La Plata along with Guillermo Marino (Boca Unidos) and Sebastián Sánchez (Gimnasia de Jujuy) but perhaps the most interesting is young striker, Sergio Sosa from Estudiantes de Buenos Aires. The 20-year-old was chased by several clubs and La Crema will be hoping that he will replace some of Albertengo’s goals.
Preseason: An uninspiring summer has seen Rafaela taste defeat the three times they faced Primera oppostion – against Racing, Godoy Cruz and Unión . A penalty win over Danubio, victory over Atlético Paraná and draws against Patronato de Paraná and Sportivo Belgrano de San Francisco will not fill supporters with confidence.
Opening fixture: Argentinos Juniors (away) on Sunday Feb 15th
Clásico: Belgrano
Club Atlético Banfield
Transición position: 17th in Primera
Matías Almeyda’s side are capable of playing some pretty football but ultimately are a bottom half team whose individual and collective errors continue to cost them points. There is no real indication that 2015 will bring any different results but with ten promoted sides, Banfield will at least feel that there should be a fair number of teams weaker and less experienced than they are.
Transfers: The arrival of Lucas Viatri from Shanghai Shenhua will hopefully for Almeyda bring a renewed goal threat that was missing at times last season. In tandem with talented Ecuadorian, Juan Cazares, who the club did well to retain, Banfield will hope to cause teams a few problems. Viatri was joined by Luciano Civelli, Matías Abelairas, Sergio Vittor and Mauricio Cuero but eventually lost highly-rated full backs, Nicolás Tagliafico and Gustavo Toledo to Independiente. Their sales brought in a good amount of money but Almeyda will need to replace both.
Preseason: In Mar del Plata, Banfield enjoyed mixed fortunes as a victory over Unión de Mar del Plata was followed by a draw with Olimpo and a defeat from Belgrano. Victory against Almirante Brown and defeat to Platense suggest that Banfield’s errors and inconsistencies are not going anywhere.
Opening fixture: Temperley (home) on Saturday Feb 14th
Clásico: Lanús
Club Atlético Belgrano
Transición position: 10th in Primera
Inconsistency was the key word for Belgrano last time out and Ricardo Zielinski will be seeking to improve this aspect. That could be tough after the departures of Julio Furch and César Pereyra but there have been reinforcements. Midtable obscurity was achieved in the Transición and anything more than that in 2015 would come as a surprise.
Transfers: Julio Furch is already scoring goals for Veracruz in México and he, Picante Pereyra and midfielder Lucas Pittinari will be missed in Córdoba. To replace those, Zielinkski has opted for Primera experience and brought in striker Mauro Obolo, Claudio Pérez from Boca, Sebastián Prediger from Estudiantes and Sergio Escudero from Independiente.
Preseason: Despite a 3-0 defeat to Newell’s in their final friendly it was a decent enough preseason for Belgrano. An earlier win over the same side and a thumping victory over Banfield suggest there is still life in Los Celestes. Keeping hold of Lucas Zelarayán and Emiliano Rigoni has been vital amid plenty of interest in the duo.
Opening fixture: Nueva Chicago (home) on Monday Feb 16th
Clásico: Atlético de Rafaela
Boca Juniors
Transición position: 5th in Primera
A strong end to last season, a historic 5-0 win over River in one of their summer superclásicos and a set of decent looking signings have Boca looking rather optimistically towards the Torneo 2015. Rodolfo Arruabarrena should be credited with breathing life back into La Bombonera and his younger, exciting looking side with the likes of César Meli, Gonzalo Castellani, Jonathan Calleri and Andrés Chávez impressed during the end of 2014. Carrying this forward on the wave of the crushing defeat of rivals River with a completely new look defence could see Boca emerge as genuine title contenders. The AFA generously gave them another shot at Libertadores qualification which they grabbed with both hands and after beating Vélez but they must now contend with the packed schedule and travel demands that comes with the continents premier cup competition.
Transfers: Another busy transfer window for Boca, at least on paper should see their first eleven strengthened. Highly-rated and one time future Argentina right-back, Gino Peruzzi arrived from Catania joined by teammates, Alexis Rolín (already injured) and Luciano Monzón. Backup keeper, Guillermo Sara and centre back Marco Torsiglieri also came in creating a whole new backline but one which which should in theory operate far better than its previous incarnation. But it is not just defensively Boca have strengthened, Nicolás Lodeiro, Pablo Pérez and potentially Dani Osvaldo will all be wearing the blue and gold. Understandably there were several outgoings too with Juan Forlin heading to Qatar, Leo Suárez going to Villarreal and Luciano Acosta moving to Estudiantes. Emanuel Insúa, Hernán Grana, Mariano Echeverría, Pablo Ledesma, Nahuel Zárate and Claudio Pérez all headed out of La Bombonera.
Preseason: An early start to competitive football should see Boca come out of the traps quickly. The Libertadores playoff win over Vélez plus the superclásicos were all enormously positive and in spite of the ill-tempered defeat to Racing it is difficult to see this summer as anything other than a success.
Opening fixture: Olimpo (home) on Sunday Feb 15th
Clásico: River Plate
Club Atlético Colón
Transición position: 1st in Nacional B Zona A
Mostaza Merlo’s golden hair back in the Primera can only be a good thing and the veteran coach has brought in a couple of experienced faces to help him. Colón finished top of the ultra-competitive Zona A in the Nacional B but there was not much to choose between the sides and so once again Merlo will see those newly promoted sides as his direct competition.
Transfers: Former Boca left back, Clemente Rodríguez arrived after leaving Sao Paulo and Merlo supplemented him with experienced Boca midfielder, Pablo Ledesma. Striker, Facundo Callejo left for Liga de Loja of Ecuador and Lihue Prichioda, Cristian Pavón and Facundo Curuchet did not return to Santa Fe after their loan spells.
Preseason: It appears to have been a low-key preseason for Colón with a win and a draw against Patronato and a win and a loss against Atletico Paraná.
Opening fixture: San Lorenzo (away) on Saturday Feb 14th
Clásico: Unión
Crucero del Norte
Transición position: 2nd in Nacional B Zona B
Without wanting to sound too patronising, a club formed from a bus company in Garupá in 1989 should be commended simply for playing in the top flight. Los Colectiveros were promoted pretty comfortably from Zona B, behind runaway winners, Unión but boasted the best defensive record in the division. They will need every part of this steely resolve if they are to compete in 2015 and avoid an immediate drop back down.
Transfers: Paraguayan striker, Ernesto “Pinti” Álvarez returned to the club after cancelling his contract with Mexican side, Lobos BUAP and was joined by Leandro Fioravanti (Defensa y Justicia), Maximiliano Oliva (Estudiantes), Fabio Vázquez (Argentinos) and Fabián Monserrat (Independiente). The notable departure was Franco Cabrera, the midfielder has been with the club for nine years and helped with promotion from all the way back in the Argentino B.
Preseason: A summer of friendlies against Paraguayan opposition has gone pretty well with wins over Olimpia and Deportivo Capiatá, a draw with Cerro Porteño and defeat only to Libertad.
Opening fixture: Tigre (home) on Saturday Feb 14th
Clásico: Aldosivi
Defensa y Justicia
Transición position: 18th in Primera
The Torneo Transición was a struggle for El Halcón and a lack of goals coupled with a poor home record is something that Darío Franco will need to rectify this season. The ten newly promoted sides will be new competition and any home matches against these sides will be fundamental to survival.
Transfers: Unfortunately for Defensa, champions Racing came calling and signed Washington Camacho and highly regarded youngster, Brian Fernández and so some of the new signings will need an immediate impact on the first team. Gonzalo Cabrera arrived from Godoy Cruz, Walter Acevedo was picked up after Tigre opted not to renew his contract and Facundo Curuchet came on loan from Colón. Several other loanees will be playing in Florencio Varela in 2015 but it is difficult to see anything other than another struggle.
Preseason: Defeats to Los Andes and Vélez were off-set by a victory over Argentinos and a 1-1 draw with Lanús.
Opening fixture: Gimnasia La Plata (away) on Saturday Feb 14th
Clásico: Arsenal de Sarandí
Club Estudiantes de La Plata
Transición position: 6th in Primera
Not a bad Transición for Estudiantes as they finished a respectable sixth as well as reaching the Copa Argentina semi final and the Copa Sudamericana quarters. Flush with the money from the sale of Joaquín Correa to Sampdoria, there have been some decent acquisitions. Currently trailing Independiente del Valle in their Libertadores qualifier after the first leg it will be a bitter disappointment for El Pincha if they are not in the competition come next week. That in turn will test the strength of their squad but another top six finish should be within their grasp.
Transfers: Joaquín Correa move to Sampdoria was the biggest Argentine transfer of the window and other than perhaps Gabriel Gracciani’s move to Independiente, Mauricio Pellegrino will not be too upset with who is leaving his squad. More importantly, Estudiantes have brought in Juan Sánchez Miño, whose move to Torino has obviously not worked out, talented Boca youngster Luciano Acosta, Uruguayan full back Alvaro Pereira, experienced centre-half Sebastián Domínguez, Rafael Delgado from Rosario Central and Leonardo Gil from Olimpo. Several new faces in La Plata.
Preseason: Importantly in the clásico Platense over the summer it was Estudiantes who came out on top after an entertaining 3-3 draw ended with a penalty victory. Earlier in La Plata in the Copa de Oro, Pellegrino’s side lost to Independiente and drew with River to finish bottom of the triangular tournament.
Opening fixture: Arsenal (away) on Monday Feb 16th
Clásico: Gimnasia
Club de Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata
Transición position: 14th in Primera
Gimnasia may have lost the summer clásico but it was a very different performance to the one they produced during the Transición. Despite finishing all the way down in fourteenth, El Lobo had the second best defence and while they didn’t concede many, they did not score too many either. If Pedro Troglio’s side are to have a more successful 2015 then a far better balance between defence and attack must be found. That could be easier said than done after they lost goalkeeper Fernando Monetti, one of the standout performers of 2014. A mid to bottom half finish is perhaps most likely.
Transfers: The sale of Fernando Monetti to Lanús generated $1.8 million but has left Gimnasia light of a one of the Primera’s top goalkeepers. Nicolás Navarro arrived from Tigre to provide cover in this position and hopefully to improve matters outfield, Nicolás Mazzola, Sergio Velázquez and Antonio Medina have joined him.
Preseason: The loss to Estudiantes was an obvious disappointment but there were some encouraging signs and other than the penalty defeat it was a positive summer of friendlies, with victories over Guarani and Sarmiento de Junin and a draw with Lanús.
Opening fixture: Defensa y Justicia (home) on Saturday Feb 16th
Clásico: Estudiantes
Godoy Cruz
Transición position: 16th in Primera
It is quite simple to see where Godoy Cruz need to improve and that is, defensively. Last season they had an attack that only scored less goals than River but still ended up in sixteenth. If they can find a way of tightening up while remaining a threat going forward they could cause a lot of sides problems.
Transfers: Independiente snatched away Diego Rodríguez and Claudio Aquino but hanging on to striker, Jaime Ayoví is a real plus. In attempt to shore up the defence, La Tomba have brought Leonel Galeano back to Argentina after his spell with Rayo Vallecano, picked up Iván Bella on a free and signed Diego Viera from Cerro Porteño. Additionally, Gastón Giménez came in from Atletico Tucumán, Javier Correa from Rosario Central and veteran striker Leandro Caruso returns for his third spell in Mendoza.
Preseason: A mixed bag over the summer – victories against Gimnasia de Mendoza and Olimpo but defeats to San Lorenzo, Sarmiento on penalties and Nueva Chicago.
Opening fixture: San Martín de San Juan (home) on Saturday Feb 14th
Clásico: San Martín de San Juan
Club Atlético Huracán
Transición position: Promoted via a playoff from Nacional B Zona B
It is good to see Huracán back in the Primera and claiming the 2014 Copa Argentina could have potentially seen them in the Libertadores whilst outside the top flight. Thankfully a nervy playoff win over Atlético Tucumán sealed a return to the Primera for El Globo. An emphatic away win over Alianza Lima has put them on the verge of the Libertadores group stage and no doubt this will have a strain on the small group of players available to Néstor Apuzzo. After one of the lengthier transfer sagas of the summer, Pity Martínez eventually joined River but based on the first leg performance in Peru, creativity has not been dulled. The clásico with San Lorenzo adds another spicy fixture to the Primera calendar and El Globo should be quite an entertaining side to watch this season.
Transfers: As already stated the sale of Gonzalo Martínez is a blow but for the 39.2 million pesos that River paid, it could not be turned down. To bolster the squad, Huracán brought in Luciano Balbi, on-loan from Lanús, Martín Blazquez from Everton, Santiago Carreras (Sudamérica), Nicolás Bruna (Unión), David Distéfano (Gimnasia), Luciano Nieto (Estudiantes de Buenos Aires) and Hugo Nervo on a free.
Preseason: Yes there were some preseason friendlies (a draw with Aldosivi, victory over Unión de Mar del Plata and a defeat to Lanús) but frankly El Globo’s season started in Peru and a 4-0 win in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores qualifier is all that counts.
Opening fixture: Unión de Santa Fe (away) on Sunday Feb 15th
Clásico: Colón
Club Atlético Independiente
Transición position: 4th in Primera
El Rojo are a real unknown heading into the Torneo 2015. After a pleasantly surprising Transición, manager Jorge Almirón has really shaken up the squad with several big signings. The decision to abandon club legend, Daniel Montenegro has not gone down well and so after preseason defeats to River and Racing, the supporters made the coach all too aware of their feelings on the matter. In spite of this, Hugo Moyano has backed his man and Independiente have spent “big” on several first team players in the hope that they can wrestle the championship away from the blue half of Avellaneda. There is a sense ahead of this season that things could go either way.
Transfers: The first piece of business was keeping captain, Fede Mancuello at the club and at least for the timebeing Independiente have done that. The number of incomings and outgoings is huge but other than Montenegro’s exile the main stories are certainly among the new faces. Lucas Albertengo arrived to hopefully add another much needed source of goals and he was joined by Godoy Cruz duo, Diego Rodríguez and Claudio Aquino, veteran full back Emiliano Papa came in and eventually it looks as though Nicolás Tagliafico and Gustavo Toledo will join from Banfield. Completing the business were deals for Gabriel Graciani and Colombian striker, José ‘Trencito’ Valencia.
Preseason: A 1-0 win over Estudiantes in Mar del Plata was quickly followed by a crushing defeat by River and a clásico loss to Racing. Needless to say this has created an apprensive atmosphere in the club and it will be imperative that Almirón makes a good start to the season.
Opening fixture: Newell’s Old Boys (away) on Saturday Feb 14th
Clásico: Racing Club
Club Atlético Lanús
Transición position: 3rd in Primera
Sadly for Lanús and Guillermo Barros Schelotto they always seem to come up just short, not helped by the fact that every season they seem to need to replace key personnel. This year is no different after seeing Mexican sides (again) poach some of their best players. That said, they have been some decent signings for El Granate and as they will not have the distraction of Libertadores perhaps they will once again find themselves among the leading pack.
Transfers: Last season it was Paulo Goltz and Carlos Izquierdoz and this summer, Agustín Marchesín and Diego González headed to Mexico. $8 million prized those two away but they were not alone as striker Silvio Romero was snapped up by Chiapas. The combative Leandro Somoza crossed the city and signed for Vélez and so it will be a new look Lanús. Fernando Monetti came in as a superb replacement for Marchesín and Matías Fritzler and Sebastián Leto returned to the club. (Sadly Leto has fractured his skull in a bizarre gym accident and looks set to miss 3-4 months.) In addition, Diego Barisone (Unión), Facundo Melivilo (Chacarita) and Alejandro Silva (Peñarol) arrived.
Preseason: A victory over Huracán in La Forteleza and other that there have been a load of draws. Peñarol, Defensa y Justicia and Gimnasia all shared the honours in their meetings.
Opening fixture: Quilmes (away) on Sunday Feb 15th
Clásico: Banfield
Newell’s Old Boys
Transición position: 12th in Primera
2015 is an important year for Newell’s after what has been a series of disappointments since Gerardo Martino left for Barcelona. A succession of internal appointments have not really worked out and so Newell’s went for an older, more trusted approach in the shape of Américo Gallego. El Tolo returned to the club and now he must rebuild not only his own reputation, after a string of failures, but also get Newell’s back challenging. Maxi Rodríguez will of course remain an important player for La Lepra but the must try and move away from such a reliance on their captain.
Transfers: Aside from the return of Gallego the big transfer news from Newell’s was the sale of 17-year-old striker, Ezequiel Ponce to Roma. The talented teenager returned to Rosario for 2015 as part of the deal and it will be interesting to see him back in the Primera after injury problems. Arriving to Rosario were – Sebastián Martínez (Quilmes), Luciano Pocrnjic (San Martín), Nehuén Paz (All Boys), Hernán Bernardello (Cruz Azul), and Federico Fattori (Nueva Chicago).
Preseason: Convincing wins over Nueva Chicago and Belgrano saw Nacho Scocco and Maxi Rodríguez among the goals (Scocco really needs to find his pre-Internacional move form) but there were losses to Sportivo Belgrano and earlier in the summer to Belgrano.
Opening fixture: Independiente (home) on Saturday Feb 14th
Clásico: Rosario Central
Club Atlético Nueva Chicago
Transición position: 4th in Nacional B Zona A
Nueva Chicago sneaked up to the Primera along with Aldosivi after their triangular playoff against Gimnasia de Jujuy from the very close Zona A. Back-to-back promotions for the side from Mataderos could see them a little out of their depth in the Primera and so a relegation fight is expected.
Transfers: As expected for a club of this size the dealings are either on the cheap end of the spectrum or loans but there have been several additions. Matías Defederico, Lihué Prichoda (Banfield), Ramón Lentini (Unión Española), Nahuel Pansardi (Platense), Abel Masuero (Instituto), Mariano Puch (Atlanta), Exequiel Benavídez, Leandro Caballero (Independiente de Mendoza), Luis Solignac (IFK Mariehamn) and Lucas Acevedo (Rosario Central).
Preseason: A trip to Ecuador was followed by good wins over Defensores de Belgrano, Ferro and Temperley on their return. Last weekend they wrapped up their preparations with defeat to Olimpo in Bahía Blanca.
Opening fixture: Belgrano (away) on Monday Feb 16th
Clásico: Argentinos Juniors
Olimpo de Bahía Blanca
Transición position: 19th in Primera
Olimpo had previously rested on their impressive record in Bahía Blanca but in the Torneo Transición that too eluded them. Three of their four wins did come at home but they were beaten an equal amount and the results will have to pick up this season. No doubt the increase in ‘weaker’ sides coming up from the Nacional B should help them pick up a few more wins.
Transfers: A huge number of new faces have arrived in Bahía Blanca but a few of Olimpo’s better players need to be replaced. Leonardo Gil switched to Estudiantes and Mauricio Cuero moved to Banfield but among the list of reinforcements, Walter Perazzo will be hoping that he has adequate cover. Among those coming in – Gonzalo Klusener (Quilmes), Hernán Encina (Rosario Central), Luciano Necquecaur (All Boys), Marcelo Vidal (Independiente), Nicolás Royón (Atlético Rafaela), Marcelo Herrera (Lanús), Joel Acosta (Boca)
Preseason: Pretty poor looking set of results for Olimpo over the summer with defeats to Banfield, Unión and Brown de Puerto Madryn. Finally on home soil, they were victorious against Sarmiento and it is this record at the Estadio Roberto Natalio Carminatti that will be crucial.
Opening fixture: Boca Juniors (away) on Sunday Feb 15th
Clásico: Sarmiento
Quilmes Atlético Club
Transición position: 20th in Primera
Utterly dreadful in the Transición – two wins, the third worst attack and the second worst defence so surely things can only improve for Quilmes. Julio César Falcioni has taken over as manager and the big news was him managing to persuade former River playmaker, Diego Buonanotte to sign. This represents a coup for the club but is perhaps a better indication of how far his career has slumped. Either way, Los Cerveceros will surely be better than last year.
Transfers: Buonanotte was the big one but was not alone as Quilmes looked to strengthen from back to front. Rodrigo Gómez (Independiente), Martín Pérez Guedes (Racing), Gustavo Noguera (Olimpia), Claudio Bieler (Kansas City), Mariano Uglessich (Universidad Católica) and Fabián Assmann (Mérida) all arrived but there were also departures as Brian Sarmiento left for Real Garcilaso de Perú and Gonzalo Klusener went to Olimpo.
Preseason: The only victory in preseason came against Guillermo Brown de Puerto Madryn after a series of narrow defeats or goalless draws.
Opening fixture: Lanús (home) on Sunday Feb 15th
Clásico: Temperley
Racing Club
Transición position: Primera champions
It is a pretty good time to be a Racing fan and the mood around the club is still buoyant after the Transición title. 2015 brings a new challenge for Diego Cocca’s side as they try to repeat the feat while also playing in the Libertadores. A summer clásico win over Independiente did not harm the morale and with the strike partnership of Milito and Bou still looking as dangerous as ever plus a few useful additions, it should be another good year for Racing. Can they reproduce the form of the Transición? Time will tell.
Transfers: The only real notable departures from El Cilindro were Ricardo Centurión and Gabriel Hauche, but for the amounts of money paid, Racing could not say no. Sao Paulo paid more than 4 million Euros for Centurión while Hauche slipped down the pecking order and so the $2 million that Tijuana offered was a no-brainer. Centurión will be missed but Racing have brought in Oscar Romero from Cerro Porteño to replace him and he is joined by Brian Fernández and Washington Camacho from Defensa y Justicia and Santiago Nagüel from Argentinos. Cocca is still reportedly after another striker and after being priced out of a move for Santiago Silva, they are still hopeful on a loan deal for Ezequiel Rescaldani from Malaga.
Preseason: A 4-1 win over Boca, a 1-0 win over Vélez and most importantly a 2-0 win in the clásico de Avellaneda spell out a very positive summer for La Academia.
Opening fixture: Rosario Central (home) on Friday Feb 13th
Clásico: Independiente
Club Atlético River Plate
Transición position: 2nd in Primera
After a superb start to life back at River as manager in 2014, the new season is the ‘difficult second album’ for Marcelo Gallardo. The 2014 Torneo Final title was followed by the Copa Sudamericana but 2015 brings new challenges as Gallardo must look to wrestle the crown back from Racing while putting together a challenge for the Copa Libertadores. Gallardo has been excellent in promoting from the youth sides and there has been little transfer activity so a settled River squad will require no settling in period. The embarrassing defeat to Boca in the summer superclásico should serve as a wake-up call but will be downplayed by all at the Monumental given that when it counted last season, River defeated their great rivals. River’s squad ultimately came up short in their efforts during the Transición to complete a league/cup double and it will be stretched thin again with the Libertadores commitments. However, boosted by a now fit Matías Kranevitter in midfield, a strong challenge is still expected.
Transfers: Not a great deal of business but Pablo Aimar finally returned to El Monumental after spending the last few months working on his fitness. Injuries have hampered his preseason and so the River faithful have not seen a great deal of one of their heroes yet. The big money transfer was young playmaker, Gonzalo ‘Pity’ Martínez who arrived eventually after weeks of negotiating with Huracán for a fee of nearly 40 million pesos. He was joined by Uruguayan Camilo Mayada who was sent off in the Boca debacle but crucially River have hung onto their main assets.
Preseason: There was a big win over Independiente and a draw with Estudiantes but frankly they mean nothing next to the defeats to Boca. The 5-0 defeat sets up the superclásicos during the Torneo 2015 very nicely as River will be intent on revenge.
Opening fixture: Sarmiento (away) on Sunday Feb 15th
Clásico: Boca Juniors
Rosario Central
Transición position: 15th in Primera
They might have claimed the bragging rights in Rosario on the past four occasions but Central really need to start playing in matches other than the Clásico. Aside from the last victory over Newell’s, Central only kept one other clean sheet but they were also not too potent in front of goal. However, a new manager in Eduardo Coudet and several changes to the squad should see a different Central this time out. Rumours of a move to bring Angel Correa on loan would be a huge boost and greatly improve the attack.
Transfers: José Valencia’s departure to Independiente is a blow and Sebastián Abreu not continuing should see a slightly less direct attack but Central have been active in their recruitment. Marco Ruben and César Delgado both return to Rosario from Mexico and José Luis Fernández should provide a little creativity on the left. There was also a homecoming for left back Cristian Villagra who returned from Metalist Kharkiv to help shore up the defence.
Preseason: Victories over Defensores de Belgrano and Montevideo Wanderers and a draw with Puerto San Martín do not provide much insight.
Opening fixture: Racing Club (away) on Friday Feb 13th
Clásico: Newell’s Old Boys
San Lorenzo de Almagro
Transición position: 8th in Primera
It is time now for San Lorenzo to get back to work. After winning their first Copa Libertadores, the rest of 2014 was played at a bit of a canter as the club waited to jet off to Morocco and face Real Madrid for the Club World Cup. It is a very different looking side now but 2015 will see the defence of the Libertadores title and hopefully a renewed challenge in the league. Vice-president, Marcelo Tinelli is moving up within the AFA and the proposed move back to Boedo is still going ahead so there are many ingredients that point towards another positive year for El Ciclón.
Transfers: Walter Kannemann’s move to Liga MX side, Atlas is the only notable exit given that Nicolás Blandi has never really settled and will not be missed. Tinelli and co are still hopeful of persuading Angel Correa to return to Bajo Flores on loan but there are already some useful acquisitions. Franco Mussis, Sebastián Blanco and Alan Ruiz should improve the midfield while Matías Caruzzo will slot into the defence.
Preseason: A trip to Miami saw friendly wins over Atletico Nacional and Miami United before Los Cuervos returned to Argentina to defeat Godoy Cruz in Mendoza.
Opening fixture: Colón (home) on Saturday Feb 14th
Clásico: Huracán
San Martín de San Juan
Transición position: 2nd in Nacional B Zona A
Returning to the Primera after their relegation in 2013, San Martín came up from Zona B level on points with Colón and Argentinos Juniors. Perhaps this group of teams are all equally strong and therefore took points off each other but seven defeats from their 20 matches at a lower level suggest that Los Verdinegros will be in for a tough time in the Primera. The best defence in the Nacional B should give a good base to build on but they faded badly after an excellent start to the season.
Transfers: New manager Carlos Mayor took over, supposedly to address the alarmingly slump in form over the second half of the Transición and he has overseen the recruitment. Darío Franco arrived from Los Andes after working with Mayor and José Luis Gómez arrived on loan from Racing in the most notable transfers.
Preseason: Nothing really to catch the eye after a goalless draw with Racing reserves, a 2-0 defeat to Tigre and a draw with Douglas Haig.
Opening fixture: Godoy Cruz (away) on Saturday Feb 14th
Clásico: Godoy Cruz
Club Atlético Sarmiento
Transición position: 4th in Nacional B Zona B
Back in the top flight for the first since 1982, Sarmiento were promoted after finishing fourth in Zona B. Obvious beneficiaries of the 30-team Primera, Sarmiento will just be looking to extend their stay for as long as possible as hopefully the numbers in the top flight are gradually reduced over the coming seasons.
Transfers: Coming in, tasked with keeping the side in the Primera were – Nahuel Quiroga (Rosario Central), Juan Manuel Azil (Independiente de Chivilcoy), César Rigamonti (Belgrano), Dardo Miloc (Gimnasia), Franco Peppino (Barcelona de Guayaquil), Francisco Dutari (Pumas), Manuel Vicentini, Federico Castro, Gustavo Canto (Defensores de Belgrano de Villa Ramallo), Agustín Pascucci (Independiente), Ramón Ocampo (General Díaz)
Preseason: A mixed bag which is impossible to draw conclusions from – victory over Estudiantes, a draw against Godoy Cruz and defeats to Gimnasia and Olimpo.
Opening fixture: River Plate (home) on Sunday Feb 15th
Clásico: Olimpo
Club Atlético Temperley
Transición position: 3rd in Nacional B Zona B
A return to the Primera would of course not have been likely or indeed possible had it not been for the changes but at least it provides Temperley with a chance at redemption. At the end of the 1986–87 season, and slowly the club went into decline resulting in bankruptcy in 1991. For two years they were unable to play in AFA leagues and when they returned in 1993 it was in the Primera C. 2015 will be a memorable year regardless of the outcome for Temperley as they host some of Argentina’s biggest clubs in the tiny Estadio Alfredo Beranger.
Transfers: Those listed as arriving to Temperley are – Emiliano Terzaghi (Banfield), Ignacio Boggino, Christian Chimino (Arsenal), Gustavo Aprile (Rampla de Uruguay), Gabriel Esparza (San Lorenzo), F. González (San Martín de San Juan), J. Lastra, F. Bruno and Santiago Magallán (San Lorenzo), Eduardo Ledesma (Olimpia), Pablo Vílchez (Santamarina)
Preseason: Evenly contested matches against sides in and around the same level suggest that they will need to fight it out with the other promoted sides.
Opening fixture: Banfield (away) on Saturday Feb 14th
Clásico: Quilmes
Club Atlético Tigre
Transición position: 7th in Primera
The arrival of Gustavo Alfaro brought a much more attractive brand of football and although the early form gradually drifted towards inconsistency there were definite signs of improvement in the second half of the Transición. Tigre will be hoping to continue that during 2015 but frankly it is difficult to see them finishing any higher than they did last time out. Lucas Wílchez and Sebastián Rincón remain at the club and with some new additions, Alfaro’s Tigre will probably remain one of the Primera’s most unpredictable sides.
Transfers: The only really meaningful loss was the sale of Gabriel Peñalba who moved to Veracruz in Mexico but Alfara appears to have bought well. Leandro González Pirez arrives from River, Mariano Echeverría from Boca and Agustín Pelletieri from Chivas USA along with others.
Preseason: The only defeat came in their opening friendly against Douglas Haig but after that Tigre recorded victories over San Martín, Deportivo Español and Ferro.
Opening fixture: Crucero del Norte (away) on Saturday Feb 14th
Clásico: Vélez Sarsfield
Club Atlético Unión
Transición position: 1st in Nacional B Zona B
Far and away the most comfortable side to be promoted, Unión were the runaway winners of Zona B and so in theory should be the best equipped to life in the top flight. The second half of their campaign was outstanding as they notched seven straight wins and nine from the last ten matches. The division’s leading scorers will understandably find things much harder but Leonardo Madelón’s side will be quietly confident that they can remain at least above the nine other promoted sides.
Transfers: The experienced Diego Villar arrived from Racing after his loan last season with Defensa y Justicia and Matías Sánchez came back to Argentina after a spell in Greece with Levadiakos. Fernando Coniglio and Rolando García Guerreño also signed but the loss of midfielder, Diego Barisone to Lanús will be felt.
Preseason: Still scoring goals even in their friendlies as Unión recorded a 3-0 and two 3-2 wins over Olimpo, Aldosivi and Rafaela. The only loss came against Argentinos Juniors in Mar del Plata.
Opening fixture: Huracán (home) on Sunday Feb 15th
Clásico: Colón
golazo argentino 