Argentine Soccer First Division Survival: Clubs' History and Chances

2023-11-13 15:57:36

11/13/2023 3:57 p.m. Updated on 11/13/2023 4:29 p.m.

The first phase of the Professional League Cup is coming to an end and there are still five clubs with a chance of losing the category: Vélez, Sarmiento, Colón, Gimnasia and Unión. With Arsenal already relegated in the average table, it remains to be seen who will accompany him in the annual table.

With different stories but a common goal, the clubs involved will seek to maintain their place in the top flight. But… since when have they been playing in the First Division? Who takes more time and who takes less time? In Ole We tell you each case.

Vélez, 79 years old

Vélez is the second Argentine soccer team (only surpassed by Boca) that He has been in the A continuously for the longest time, with a total of 79 years! El Fortín suffered its only relegation in 1940 and after its return three seasons later, it did not go down again.

In the decisive match, they will receive Colón in Liniers and with a draw they will ensure they remain in A. Although they have no chance of being relegated directly on this last date, if they lose to Sabalero, and if other results occur, they could be forced to play a tiebreaker for permanence.

Vélez has been in the First Division for almost eight decades (photo: club press).

Gymnastics, 10 years

Last May, Gimnasia celebrated ten years in Primera after the memorable promotion achieved in Córdoba against Instituto. Since then, Lobo touched the red zone in some of its campaigns, but did not play in the second category again.

On the last date they will visit Banfield and with the victory they will ensure they continue in the category. In case of a tie or defeat, they will have to pay attention to what happens in the matches of their direct rivals.

Gimnasia has been in A for 10 years (photo: club press).

Columbus, 8 years old

The third team with the longest consecutive time in the A of all those fighting not to go down is Colón, with eight years. Sabalero has established itself in the top category in recent timeswon his first title in 2021 and even played in an international final, but this weak campaign left him on the ropes.

He will visit Vélez on the fourteenth day of the League Cup in need of a victory to save himself. If they tie or if they fall at Amalfitani, then they will have to look at other results to see if they go down, stay, or if they go to a tiebreaker.

Colón has been in Primera for eight years (photo: Juan José García).

Union, 8 years

Unión, the other team from Santa Fe that wants to stay in the elite of Argentine soccer, It has also been in A for eight years. Tatengue had a memorable campaign in the First National in 2014 and since that long-awaited return they have not fallen to that category again.

Of all the clubs in the hot part of the table, it is the most complicated and does not depend on itself. They are forced to win at home against Tigreand even then he will have to wait to know the results of his rivals to see what is in store for him.

Unión has been in the top category for 8 years.

Sarmiento, 2 years

The team with the least time in First Division on the entire list is Sarmiento with only two years. After more than three decades in the Ascent, Green returned to Primera after beating Estudiantes de Río Cuarto in January 2021 in a final that was resolved on penalties.

The team is the best positioned to save itself, given that it has one more game than the rest of its opponents. This Monday at 7 p.m. they will face Godoy Cruz in Junín and with the victory he will secure his place in the A in 2024. If he draws or loses, he will have another chance against Platense

Sarmiento, two years in the A (photo: club press).