Racing vs Belgrano
Racing Club fans will have felt heartbroken after their 2-1 home defeat to River Plate as they wasted the chance of becoming Liga Profesional champions. That loss also broke an eight-game unbeaten run of seven victories and one draw in league action and a five-game winning row at home. On the other hand, the best team in the 2022 aggregate table then lifted the Trofeo de Campeones in November (beating Tigre and Boca Juniors) and the Supercopa Al Ain last week (also against Boca). Maxi Moralez returned to the club from MLS outfit New York City alongside Paolo Guerrero (Avai, Brazil) Juan Nardoni (Union Santa Fe) and Oscar Opazo (Colo Colo, Chile).
Belgrano dominated the 2022 Primera Nacional season from beginning to end to become champions and secured their promotion with two rounds to go. In fact, El Pirata won their last four league matches (including two on away turf) to return to the top flight after three years and a half. Coach Guillermo Farre welcomes four new faces: Erik Godoy (MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps), Lucas Diarte (second-tier squad San Martin Tucuman), Franco Jara (MLS club Dallas FC) and Matias Garcia (FC Juarez, Mexico). Meanwhile, Maximiliano Comba (returned to Gimnasia LP) is the only relevant player who left the club this summer.
I have to expect this confident Racing to continue their good run against newly promoted Belgrano who will need to find their place in the top flight.