Argentina’s Clausura 2010 is finally here with great anticipation for a competitive championship and higher expectations for River Plate, Boca Juniors, Racing, San Lorenzo and Independiente, the “Big Five??? clubs of Buenos Aires, who languished in mediocrity, crisis and inconsistency during their recent campaigns. Will they remain mired in the troubles that left them conspicuously absent from this year’s Copa Libertadores or is this a new dawn?
For River it is indeed a new dawn. Passarella was elected by the club’s members to return River Plate to its traditional powerhouse status. But River is mired in debt and very few new faces have arrived on the scene. New arrivals include little known Paraguayan Rodrigo Rojas, along with Chilean Canales and two young potential starlets who featured well in River’s pre-season triumphs over Boca. With River’s most dangerous player Buonanotte out, will that be enough? Probably not enough to challenge for the title, but perhaps enough to improve on the last campaign and push for the lat Copa Libertadores spot.
“The important thing is for this group to maintain its ambition,” River coach Leonardo Astrada said. This is true, unity can go a long way. But to achieve competitiveness, River will have to add several players. That is difficult at the moment, as the new President must reduce a club’s $40 million debt.
Boca is starting the season on a downbeat note. Two of the club’s most important personalities just resigned – coach Alfio Basile and General Manager Carlos Bianchi – after a poor pre-season campaign that exposed big deficiencies in every sector of the field. The only notable addition is Jesus Mendez from Rosario Central. Otherwise, it is the same team that completed an indifferent campaign in the 2009 Apertura. The good news is Riquelme seems to be moving better than last year and might be more of a factor. But the Boca formation is tired, predictable. Aside from a new leader, Boca needs to be revamped on the field.
Despite great potential, San Lorenzo struggled with inconsistency last season. The same team is back, with notable additions including Uruguayan striker Alfaro, who will partner with Bordagaray up front, and Rusculleda, an offensive minded midfielder. Central defender Aguirre signed a new three year deal with the club and abandoned the idea of going abroad, boosting Diego Simeone’s team. The primary loss is San Lorenzo’s long time pillar and fan favorite, goal-keeper Orion, who moved to Estudiantes. San Lorenzo can go far, if it plays to its potential. Few teams have more talent, but will it all come together?
Racing Club de Avellaneda, under new coach Claudio Vivas, looks better than last year and will be determined to escape from the relegation zone. Racing added play-maker Hauche from Argentinos Jrs. and a bona-fide center forward in Claudio Bieler. Independiente is basically back intact, with a couple of additions including former Boca forward Leandro Gracian.
San Lorenzo, Estudiantes and Clausura 2009 winner Velez appear to be the most balanced contenders. Estudiantes raised its game to another level in the World Cup of Clubs in Dubai, while Velez will be boosted by the return of Uruguayan forward Silva – a tremendous revelation during his loan spell at Banfield – and the ability to keep the core of last year’s squad together. Apertura 2010 champions Banfield, Lanus, Colon and Newell’s Old Boys will have a hard time trying to replicate last year’s success at home while chasing glory in Copa Libertadores.
This 2010 Clausura will also determine who goes down to the Primera B Nacional. Three teams will be relegated based on a complex rating system, with Chacarita, Racing, Gimnasia La Plata, Godoy Cruz and Atletico Tucuman as the most endangered candidates.