2016 Argentine Primera División

Primera División
Season 2016
Champions Lanús (2nd title)
Relegated Argentinos Juniors
2017 Copa Libertadores Lanús
San Lorenzo
Estudiantes (LP)
Godoy Cruz
Atlético Tucumán
River Plate (via 2015–16 Copa Argentina)
2017 Copa Sudamericana Independiente
Arsenal
Defensa y Justicia
Huracán
Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP)
Racing
Matches played 242
Goals scored 606 (2.5 per match)
Top goalscorer José Sand (15 goals)
Biggest home win Newell's Old Boys 5–0 Racing (Feb. 17, 2016)
Tigre 5–0 Atlético Tucumán (Mar. 7, 2016)
Biggest away win Argentinos Juniors 1–5 Defensa y Justicia (Mar. 4, 2016)
Unión 0–4 Lanús (Apr. 4, 2016)
Highest scoring Unión 3–6 Racing (Mar. 6, 2016)
Atlético de Rafaela 3–6 Racing (Mar. 21, 2016)
← 2015
2016–17 →

The 2016 Argentine Primera División - Copa Axion Energy was the 126th season of top-flight professional football in Argentina. The season began on February 5 and ended on May 29. Thirty teams competed in the league, twenty eight returning from the 2015 and two promoted from the 2015 Primera B Nacional (Atlético Tucumán and Patronato). Two teams (Nueva Chicago and Crucero del Norte) were relegated to the Primera B Nacional Championship in the previous tournament.

Lanús won their second title after defeating San Lorenzo 4–0 in the final.

Competition format

The tournament for the 2016 season was composed of two zones of 15 teams. Each team played the other 14 teams in its zone in a round-robin tournament and also played two interzonal matches against its rival team in the other zone, once home and once away. In the end, the winner of each played a final match on a neutral ground to determine the champion.

Club information

Stadia and locations

Club City Stadium Capacity
Aldosivi Mar del Plata José María Minella 35,354
Argentinos Juniors Buenos Aires Diego Armando Maradona 25,500
Arsenal Sarandí Julio Humberto Grondona 16,300
Atlético de Rafaela Rafaela Nuevo Monumental 16,000
Atlético Tucumán Tucumán Monumental José Fierro 32,700
Banfield Banfield Florencio Solá 34,901
Belgrano Córdoba Julio César Villagra 28,000
Mario Alberto Kempes 57,000
Boca Juniors Buenos Aires Alberto J. Armando 49,000
Colón Santa Fe Brigadier General Estanislao López 40,000
Defensa y Justicia Florencio Varela Norberto "Tito" Tomaghello 12,000
Estudiantes (LP) La Plata Ciudad de La Plata 53,000
Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) La Plata Juan Carmelo Zerillo 24,544
Godoy Cruz Godoy Cruz Malvinas Argentinas 40,268
Huracán Buenos Aires Tomás Adolfo Ducó 48,314
Independiente Avellaneda Libertadores de América 52,853
Lanús Lanús Ciudad de Lanús - Néstor Díaz Pérez 46,619
Newell's Old Boys Rosario Marcelo Bielsa 38,095
Olimpo Bahía Blanca Roberto Natalio Carminatti 20,000
Patronato Paraná Presbítero Bartolomé Grella 22,000
Quilmes Quilmes Centenario 30,200
Racing Avellaneda Presidente Juan Domingo Perón 55,389
River Plate Buenos Aires Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti 61,321
Rosario Central Rosario Dr. Lisandro de la Torre 41,654
San Lorenzo Buenos Aires Pedro Bidegain 39,494
San Martín (SJ) San Juan Ingeniero Hilario Sánchez 19,000
Estadio del Bicentenario 25,286
Sarmiento Junín Eva Perón 22,000
Temperley Temperley Alfredo Beranger 13,800
Tigre Victoria José Dellagiovanna 26,282
Unión Santa Fe 15 de Abril 22,852
Vélez Sarsfield Buenos Aires José Amalfitani 45,540

Personnel

Club Manager
Aldosivi Fernando Quiroz
Argentinos Juniors Raúl Sanzotti
Arsenal Sergio Rondina
Atlético de Rafaela Juan Manuel Llop
Atlético Tucumán Juan Manuel Azconzábal
Banfield Julio César Falcioni
Belgrano Ricardo Zielinski
Boca Juniors Guillermo Barros Schelotto
Colón Ricardo Johansen
Defensa y Justicia Ariel Holan
Estudiantes (LP) Nelson Vivas
Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) Gustavo Alfaro
Godoy Cruz Sebastián Méndez
Huracán Eduardo Domínguez
Independiente Fernando Berón
Lanús Jorge Almirón
Newell's Old Boys Diego Osella
Olimpo Cristian Díaz
Patronato Rubén Forestello
Quilmes Alfredo Grelak
Racing Facundo Sava
River Plate Marcelo Gallardo
Rosario Central Eduardo Coudet
San Lorenzo Pablo Guede
San Martín (SJ) Pablo Lavallén
Sarmiento Ricardo Caruso Lombardi
Temperley Gustavo Álvarez
Tigre Pedro Troglio
Unión Leonardo Madelón
Vélez Sarsfield Christian Bassedas

Managerial changes

Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Replaced by Date of appointment
Pre-season changes
Godoy Cruz Daniel Oldrá Replaced November 7, 2015 Sebastián Méndez December 1, 2015
Atlético de Rafaela Leonardo Astrada End of contract November 8, 2015 Jorge Burruchaga December 7, 2015
San Lorenzo Edgardo Bauza End of contract November 8, 2015 Pablo Guede December 20, 2015
Vélez Sarsfield Miguel Ángel Russo Mutual agreement November 8, 2015 Christian Bassedas November 13, 2015
Temperley Ricardo Rezza End of contract November 15, 2015 Iván Delfino December 16, 2015
San Martín (SJ) Carlos Mayor Resigned November 23, 2015 Pablo Lavallén December 12, 2015
Argentinos Juniors Néstor Gorosito End of contract November 24, 2015 Carlos Mayor December 19, 2015
Tigre Gustavo Alfaro Mutual agreement November 25, 2015 Mauro Camoranesi December 21, 2015
Arsenal Ricardo Caruso Lombardi Mutual agreement November 26, 2015 Sergio Rondina November 28, 2015
Estudiantes (LP) Gabriel Milito Mutual agreement December 5, 2015 Nelson Vivas December 7, 2015
Lanús Guillermo Barros Schelotto End of contract December 6, 2015 Jorge Almirón December 8, 2015
Racing Diego Cocca End of contract December 6, 2015 Facundo Sava December 16, 2015
Patronato Iván Delfino Mutual agreement December 13, 2015 Rubén Forestello December 19, 2015
Quilmes Facundo Sava Mutual agreement December 16, 2015 Alfredo Grelak December 21, 2015
Tournament changes
Newell's Old Boys Lucas Bernardi Resigned February 14, 2016 Diego Osella February 22, 2016
Olimpo Diego Osella Resigned February 22, 2016 Cristian Díaz February 22, 2016
Boca Juniors Rodolfo Arruabarrena Sacked February 29, 2016 Guillermo Barros Schelotto March 1, 2016
Argentinos Juniors Carlos Mayor Resigned March 4, 2016 Raúl Sanzotti March 6, 2016
Sarmiento Sergio Lippi Mutual agreement March 6, 2016 Ricardo Caruso Lombardi March 10, 2016
Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) Pedro Troglio Sacked March 14, 2016 Gustavo Alfaro March 20, 2016
Tigre Mauro Camoranesi Sacked March 17, 2016 Pedro Troglio March 21, 2016
Banfield Claudio Vivas Replaced March 20, 2016 Julio César Falcioni March 20, 2016
Atlético de Rafaela Jorge Burruchaga Sacked March 25, 2016 Juan Manuel Llop March 26, 2016
Colón Darío Franco Resigned April 17, 2016 Ricardo Johansen April 17, 2016
Temperley Iván Delfino Sacked May 3, 2016 Gustavo Álvarez May 3, 2016
Independiente Mauricio Pellegrino End of contract May 10, 2016 Fernando Berón May 10, 2016

Interim Managers

1. ^ Juan Pablo Vojvoda was interim manager in the 3rd and 4th rounds.
2. ^ Interim manager, but later promoted to manager until the end of the tournament.
3. ^ Andrés Yllana was interim manager in the 8th round.
4. ^ Fabián Castro was interim manager in the 8th round.
5. ^ Interim manager in the 12th–16th rounds.
6. ^ Interim manager in the 14th–16th rounds.
7. ^ Interim manager in the 15th and 16th rounds.

League table

Zone 1

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 San Lorenzo 16 10 4 2 23 16 +7 34 Championship playoff
2017 Copa Libertadores group stage
2 Godoy Cruz 16 10 3 3 27 14 +13 33 2017 Copa Libertadores group stage
3 Independiente 16 7 6 3 22 12 +10 27 2017 Copa Sudamericana first stage
4 Arsenal 16 8 3 5 21 15 +6 27
5 Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) 16 7 4 5 19 19 0 25
6 Vélez Sarsfield 16 7 3 6 20 19 +1 24
7 Rosario Central 16 5 5 6 19 16 +3 20
8 Patronato 16 5 5 6 19 23 −4 20
9 River Plate 16 4 6 6 21 22 −1 18 2017 Copa Libertadores group stage
10 Sarmiento 16 4 5 7 10 18 −8 17
11 Colón 16 5 2 9 21 31 −10 17
12 Belgrano 16 4 4 8 21 24 −3 16
13 Banfield 16 2 9 5 15 20 −5 15
14 Quilmes 16 3 6 7 21 32 −11 15
15 Olimpo 16 3 4 9 11 20 −9 13
Source: AFA

Zone 2

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Lanús 16 12 2 2 28 10 +18 38 Championship playoff
2017 Copa Libertadores group stage
2 Estudiantes (LP) 16 9 5 2 25 11 +14 32 2017 Copa Libertadores group stage
3 Atlético Tucumán 16 9 3 4 26 19 +7 30 2017 Copa Libertadores second stage
4 Defensa y Justicia 16 7 4 5 25 16 +9 25 2017 Copa Sudamericana first stage
5 Huracán 16 7 4 5 21 15 +6 25
6 Racing 16 6 6 4 29 26 +3 24
7 San Martín (SJ) 16 6 5 5 23 20 +3 23
8 Unión 16 5 7 4 24 22 +2 22
9 Tigre 16 5 5 6 21 17 +4 20
10 Boca Juniors 16 5 5 6 15 13 +2 20
11 Aldosivi 16 4 5 7 19 28 −9 17
12 Newell's Old Boys 16 3 7 6 16 21 −5 16
13 Temperley 16 4 4 8 14 21 −7 16
14 Argentinos Juniors 16 2 6 8 11 29 −18 12
15 Atlético de Rafaela 16 2 3 11 14 32 −18 9
Source: AFA

Championship final

Team 1 Sco. Team 2 Venue City
Lanús
4–0
 San Lorenzo Estadio Monumental Buenos Aires

Match details

2016 Argentine Primera División Final
San Lorenzo 0–4 Lanús
Report Benítez 17'
Almirón 58'
Sand 73'
Acosta 88'
Attendance: 52,260
Referee: Darío Herrera

Assistant referees:
Hernán Maidana
Juan Pablo Belatti
Fourth official:
Diego Abal

Match rules

  • 90 minutes.
  • 30 minutes of extra time if necessary.
  • Penalty shoot-out if scores still level.
  • Seven named substitutes, of which up to three may be used.


 2016 Primera División champion 
Lanús
2nd title

Results

Home \ Away ARS BAN BEL COL GLP GOD IND OLI PAT QUI RIV RCE SLA SAR VEL ALD ARG RAF ATU BOC DYJ EST HUR LAN NOB RAC SMA TEM TIG UNI
Arsenal 3–1 3–3 0–1 2–1 1–0 2–0 1–0 0–0
Banfield 1–1 2–0 2–3 1–3 1–1 0–0 0–0 0–2
Belgrano 0–0 3–0 2–2 3–2 1–0 3–0 2–3 0–0
Colón 2–1 3–0 3–1 2–2 4–1 0–3 0–2 0–3
Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) 3–0 2–2 3–3 1–0 3–2 1–0 0–0 0–0
Godoy Cruz 2–0 1–0 4–1 1–1 1–0 3–1 0–1 1–0
Independiente 2–0 1–0 4–1 0–0 2–1 0–2 0–1 1–1
Olimpo 2–1 1–1 2–0 0–1 1–1 0–2 0–1 2–1
Patronato 0–0 0–2 2–1 1–0 2–1 1–0 2–2 2–1
Quilmes 1–4 2–4 1–3 0–3 1–1 2–2 3–0 2–0
River Plate 1–1 1–0 1–2 1–0 5–1 2–2 0–0 0–0
Rosario Central 2–2 0–1 1–0 1–1 3–3 1–0 2–3 2–0
San Lorenzo 0–2 1–1 3–2 2–1 2–1 2–1 3–2 1–0
Sarmiento 1–0 1–3 0–0 0–0 1–0 2–2 1–0 0–1
Vélez Sarsfield 2–0 2–1 1–4 0–2 2–1 0–0 1–2 1–0
Aldosivi 3–0 3–2 2–1 1–2 2–1 2–2 1–1 1–1
Argentinos Juniors 0–3 0–3 1–0 1–5 0–0 1–1 0–0 1–1
Atlético de Rafaela 3–1 0–2 0–1 3–6 1–2 0–2 0–0 1–1
Atlético Tucumán 2–1 1–1 3–0 3–1 2–1 2–1 3–2 2–0
Boca Juniors 0–0 4–1 3–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 4–1 2–1
Defensa y Justicia 0–1 4–0 4–1 0–2 2–1 0–0 2–1 2–2
Estudiantes (LP) 3–0 4–1 3–2 3–1 2–1 0–1 0–0 1–1
Huracán 1–1 2–0 0–1 1–0 0–1 4–3 4–2 1–1
Lanús 2–0 2–0 2–1 1–0 2–0 2–1 1–3 3–0
Newell's Old Boys 0–0 1–1 1–1 2–1 0–1 1–0 5–0 1–1
Racing 0–0 2–2 1–0 0–0 2–1 2–2 2–0 3–3
San Martín (SJ) 2–0 2–0 0–1 0–2 2–2 2–1 2–0 1–0
Temperley 2–0 0–0 1–1 0–0 1–3 0–1 2–0 2–0
Tigre 2–0 2–0 5–0 2–0 0–2 1–2 0–1 3–3
Unión 1–0 4–0 1–1 0–4 3–6 1–1 3–0 1–0
Source: AFA
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Copa Libertadores playoff

The second-place team in each zone qualified to the 2017 Copa Libertadores and played a match at a neutral stadium to determine at which stage each team entered. The winner of this playoff qualified directly to the second stage (earning the Argentina 3 berth), and the loser entered the first stage of the tournament (earning the Argentina 4 berth).

Godoy Cruz 0–1 Estudiantes (LP)
Report Cavallaro 15'
Attendance: 3,877
Referee: Silvio Trucco

Several months after the playoff, CONMEBOL expanded the 2017 Copa Libertadores from 38 to 47 teams with Argentina gaining one additional berth. So, Godoy Cruz also qualified directly to the second stage and AFA had to choose between the third places in each zone, Atlético Tucumán and Independiente, to determine the team qualified as Argentine 6 berth. Finally, AFA gave the extra berth to Atlético Tucumán by sporting criteria.

Season statistics

Relegation

Relegation at the end of the season is based on the points per game obtained by the clubs during the present season and the three previous seasons (only seasons in the Primera are counted). The team with the worst average at the end of the season is relegated to Primera B Nacional.

Pos
 Team 2013–14
Pts 		2014
Pts 		2015
Pts 		2016
Pts 		Total
Pts 		Total
Pld 		Avg
 Relegation
1 Atlético Tucumán — — — 30 30 16 1.875
2 San Lorenzo 60 26 61 34 181 103 1.757
3 Independiente — 33 54 27 114 65 1.754
4 Boca Juniors 61 31 64 20 176 103 1.709
5 Lanús 59 35 42 38 174 103 1.689
6 Estudiantes (LP) 59 31 51 32 173 103 1.68
7 River Plate 58 39 49 18 164 103 1.592
8 Racing 33 41 57 24 155 103 1.505
9 Rosario Central 54 21 59 20 154 103 1.495
10 Gimnasia y Esgrima (LP) 57 24 44 25 150 103 1.456
11 Godoy Cruz 56 21 32 33 142 103 1.379
12 Unión — — 41 22 63 46 1.37
13 Tigre 49 26 46 20 141 103 1.369
14 Belgrano 49 25 51 16 141 103 1.369
15 Vélez Sarsfield 61 25 29 24 139 103 1.35
16 Newell's Old Boys 56 25 40 16 137 103 1.33
17 Banfield — 20 50 15 85 65 1.308
18 San Martín (SJ) — — 37 23 60 46 1.304
19 Patronato — — — 20 20 16 1.25
20 Arsenal 48 26 27 27 128 103 1.243
21 Aldosivi — — 40 17 57 46 1.239
22 Huracán — — 30 25 55 46 1.196
23 Defensa y Justicia — 20 32 25 77 65 1.185
24 Olimpo 50 19 36 13 118 103 1.146
25 Quilmes 45 12 45 15 117 103 1.136
26 Colón — — 34 17 51 46 1.109
27 Atlético de Rafaela 49 25 23 9 106 103 1.029
28 Sarmiento — — 30 17 47 46 1.022
29 Temperley — — 30 16 46 46 1
30 Argentinos Juniors (R) — — 33 12 45 46 0.978 Relegation to Primera B Nacional

See also