Perfil (Sabado)

Superliga returns with new players, new rules – and usual candidates

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Localfootb­allisback.Though some of the grandes have been quietly plugging away in continenta­l competitio­n, on Friday night the Argentine Superliga returned as defending champions Racing Club took on Unión de Santa Fe.

There have been high-profile transfers for sure, and managerial changes aplenty, but despite the renewal, Argentina’s biggest, most traditiona­l names are once again among the favourites to take the title this time around: Racing, Independie­nte, River Plate and Boca Juniors lead the betting.

The Xeneize have been leading the headlines, too. Boca shook up the transfer market this week with their signing of legendary Italian midfielder Daniele De Rossi, the veteran former AS Roma star who won the World Cup in 2006. Having just turned 36, there’s no doubt his best days are behind him, but the

bosses at Boca will be hoping his experience will be able to lead them to domestic glory at home and internatio­nal glory in the Copa Libertador­es.

Manager Gustavo Alfaro’s side is certainly looking refreshed this time out. Boca have also secured the signings of ex-Argentina internatio­nal and former Benfica star Eduardo Salvio, Brighton & Hove

A lbion’s A lexis MacAlliste­r and young Venezuelan national team striker

Jan Carlos Hurtado, who is being tipped as a future star. They will, however, have to cope with the departure of Darío Benedetto, the scorer of many an important goal in recent years.

Unlike Boca, River have not dipped into the transfer market so much. The Millo, however, do expecttose­curethearr­ivalofChil­e’s Paulo Díaz, the only player reportedly requested by Marcelo Gallardo. However, the coach, who recently welcomed his fourth child, has managed to keep together almost the entire squad that he led to Copa Libertador­es glory last year. Meanwhile, Racing have signed skillful central midfielder Walter Montoya and Paraguayan attacking midfielder Matías Rojas. Independie­nte, with ex-Defensa y Justicia boss SebastiánB­eccaceceno­winthe dug-out as head coach, have added Colombian midfielder Andrés Roa.

San Lorenzo, who are in desperate need of improvemen­t after finishing bottom last time out have signed many players, including Lucas Menossi, brothers Bruno and Mauro Pittón, Santiago Vergini and Paraguayan striker Adam Bareiro. Not content with one pair of relatives, they are also said to be seeking to sign Paraguayan­s Ángel and Óscar Romero.

NEW RULES, NEW KICK-OFF

Though Racing kicked things off on Friday night, there are some other high-profile clashes to look out this weekend, such as Argentinos Juniors v River Plate. Saturday’s fixtures also include San Lorenzo v Godoy Cruz and Lanús v Gimnasia La Plata.

On Sunday, Boca face Huracán, Estudiante­s take on Aldosivi, Talleres face Vélez Sarsfield andSebasti­ánBeccacec­ereturns to his former club, Defensa y Justicia, for his first league match in charge of Independie­nte. On Monday, Arsenal play Banfield, while Atlético Tucumán play Rosario Central.

Many eyes, however, will be on the debut of Club Atlético Central Córdoba, based in Santiago del Estero, who play Newell’s Old Boys on Sunday. The Ferroviari­os (or “Railwayman”), who celebrate their centenary as a club this year, won promotion after defeating Sarmiento in the 2018– 2019 second-tier play-off final. It will be their first top-flight campaign for 48 years.

This season, there will also be more of a focus on the league’s structure and organisati­on, with 24 teams taking part instead of 26, with 23 rounds of fixtures. At the bottom, three teams – instead of the usual two – are set to be relegated this year too, as the Argentine Football A ssociation (A FA) and the Superliga’s authoritie­s seek to trim the number of clubs in the nation’s top division. The aim is to trim the number of clubs to 20 by the 2023-2024 season.

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