Clubs watch Argentinos Juniors to open spot in annual table | OneFootball

Argentinos Juniors will face Independiente Rivadavia tonight at 21:10 at the Estadio Juan Domingo Perón in Córdoba, in the final of the Copa Argentina. They will be looking to lift a trophy once again, but if they succeed, several other teams will also be celebrating because it will give them a helping hand in the annual table as they fight for qualification to international cups.

The first thing to consider is that if they manage to win the title, the Bicho will secure a spot in next year’s Libertadores, but it will also open up a slot for entry into continental tournaments. Since they are fourth in the annual table with 51 points, their victory won’t change anything for Rosario Central (annual winner with 65) and Boca (56), who will enter the group stage with a win against River.

However, for the Millonario, it could be good news amid the crisis they are going through, because although Marcelo Gallardo’s team is third with 52 points and in the Libertadores playoff zone, Argentinos winning the championship would mean eliminating a direct competitor for the cups.

On the other hand, for those clubs lower down the table, a title for the team from La Paternal could indeed be a reason to celebrate. For Deportivo Riestra (5th, also with 51 points) and currently in the Sudamericana zone, the title would make their path much easier, because if they finish in that position and one of the top three wins the Clausura, they will automatically qualify for the Libertadores playoff zone. In that case, they would need the Bicho not to celebrate twice because if they also win the local tournament, the spot would go to Independiente Rivadavia as Copa Argentina runner-up.

San Lorenzo (49 points) and Racing (47 points), who are sixth and seventh respectively and have little chance of playing in the Libertadores, are in the same situation as the Malevo, but with more urgency. What do they need? To win the remaining six points to finish as high as possible and hope that one or more slots open up. The other way is to win the Clausura, which is a bit more complicated.

The list also includes Barracas Central (47), Tigre (46), and Huracán (46), who will be closely following tonight’s match, as an Argentinos win could clear their path to the 2026 Sudamericana. Lanús (46) is in a similar position, although since they will face Atlético Mineiro in the final of this edition, if they win, they will not only add an international star but also secure a spot in next year’s Libertadores.

A bit further down the table, Estudiantes (42) and Independiente (41) still have some hope. To stay alive, both need to win all their remaining matches and cross their fingers that Argentinos win the Cup, which would free up a slot. In addition, a Lanús victory in the continental final would be key to keeping their qualification hopes alive.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.