2019–20 Liga Primera de Nicaragua

The 2019–20 Liga Primera de Nicaragua season was divided into two tournaments (Apertura and Clausura) and will determine the 73rd and 74th champions in the history of the Liga Primera de Nicaragua, the top division of football in Nicaragua. The Apertura tournament was played in the second half of 2019, while the Clausura was played in the first half of 2020.

Liga Primera de Nicaragua
Season2019–20
ChampionsApertura:
Real Estelí
Clausura:
Real Estelí
RelegatedDeportivo Las Sabanas
CONCACAF LeagueReal Estelí
Managua
Matches played196
Goals scored459 (2.34 per match)
Top goalscorerApertura:
Carlos Félix
(10 goals)
Clausura:
Fernando Villalpando
(10 goals)
Biggest home winApertura:
Managua 5–0 Real Madriz
(26 October 2019)
Clausura:
Walter Ferretti 7–0 Chinandega
(29 March 2020)
Biggest away winApertura:
Chinandega 1–4 Real Estelí
(15 September 2019)
Chinandega 0–3 Deportivo Las Sabanas
(6 October 2019)
Clausura:
Real Madriz 0–2 Real Estelí
(25 January 2020)
Real Estelí 0–2 Managua
(8 February 2020)
Deportivo Las Sabanas 0–2 Walter Ferretti
(15 March 2020)
Chinandega 1–3 Real Estelí
(12 April 2020)
Highest scoringApertura:
Managua 3–3 Chinandega
(16 October 2019)
Walter Ferretti 5–1 Deportivo Ocotal
(9 November 2019)
Clausura:
Walter Ferretti 7–0 Chinandega
(29 March 2020)
← 2018–19
All statistics correct as of 9 May 2020.

The league is one of the only football leagues in the world, along with the Belarus,[1][2][3] that did not suspend their season due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.[4][5][6]

Format

The Apertura play-off format was changed from previous years, while the Clausura will use the same 4-team play-off format. For the Apertura, the top four teams from the regular stage advanced to a "quadrangular" double-round robin instead of a play-off stage. The regular stage and quadrangular winners would have played to decide the tournament's champion, but ultimately the same team won both and the final was not necessary. The same format was recently adopted by the Costa Rican Primera División, but for both half seasons.

Team information

A total of ten teams contested the league, including nine sides from the 2018–19 Primera División, and one side from the 2018–19 Segunda División.

UNAN Managua finished last in the aggregate table and were relegated to the Segunda División. The champions from the Segunda División, Deportivo Las Sabanas were promoted in their place.

The 9th place team in the aggregate table, Chinandega FC, faced the second place team from the Segunda División, FC Gutiérrez, in a playoff for a spot in the Primera División. Chinandega won 4-3 over two legs, meaning Chinandega remained in Primera División.

Promotion and relegation

Promoted from Segunda División as of July, 2019.


Relegated to Segunda División as of July, 2019.

Stadia and locations
Locations of the 2019–20 Liga Primera teams
Team Location Stadium Capacity
Chinandega Chinandega Estadio Efraín Tijerino 3,000
Deportivo Las Sabanas Las Sabanas Municipal de Las Sabanas 1,000
Deportivo Ocotal Ocotal Estadio Roy Fernando Bermúdez 3,000
Diriangén Diriamba Estadio Cacique Diriangén 8,500
Juventus Managua Managua Estadio Olímpico del IND Managua 15,000
Managua Managua Estadio Olímpico del IND Managua 15,000
Municipal Jalapa Jalapa Estadio Alejandro Ramos 1,000
Real Estelí Estelí Estadio Independencia 5,000
Real Madriz Somoto Estadio Solidaridad 3,000
Walter Ferretti Managua Estadio Olímpico del IND Managua 15,000

Managerial changes

During the Apertura season
Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Replaced by Date of appointment Position in table
Diriangen FC Mauricio Cruz Sacked September 2019 Flavio da Silva September 2019 9th (Apertura 2019)
CD Ocotal Mario Alfaro Sacked October 2019 Marcos Rivera (Interim) October 2019 10th (Apertura 2019)
CD Ocotal Marcos Rivera Interimship finished October 2019 Reynaldo Clavasquín October 2019 10th (Apertura 2019)
ART Jalapa Leonidas Rodríguez Sacked October 2019 Angel Orellana October 2019 9th (Apertura 2019)
Real Esteli Sergio Ivan Rodriguez Resigned November 2019 Holver Flores ‘’’Interim’’’ November 2019 3rd (Apertura 2019)
Real Madriz Miguel Angel Sanchez Resigned November 2019 Carlos Matamoros ‘’’Interim’’’ November 2019 9th (Apertura 2019)

Between the Aperutra and Clasura season
Team Outgoing manager Manner of departure Date of vacancy Replaced by Date of appointment Position in table
Juventus Managua Roberto Armando Chanampe Sacked December 2019 Héctor Medina December 2019 TBD (Apertura 2019)
Real Madriz Carlos Matamoros Interimship finished December 2019 Juan Ramirez January 2020 TBD (Apertura 2019)

Apertura

Personnel and sponsoring
Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Kit sponsors
ART Municipal Jalapa Leonidas Rodríguez Luis Manuel Galeano Joma Agrotris
Chinandega Reyna Espinoza Lester Espinoza Nil Nil
Diriangén FC Mauricio Cruz Jason Coronel Joma Claro, Ocal, Victoria frost
Juventus Managua Roberto Chanampe Darwin Guity TBD TBD
Managua Emilio Aburto Cristiano Fernández da Lima Joma Brini
Ocotal Mario Alfaro Guillermo Espino Nil Alcadia Ocotal
Real Estelí Sergio Ivan Rodriguez Jason Casco Kappa Beco, Movi star, La Curacao, Banpro, Vitalsis
Real Madriz Miguel Angel Sanchez Alvaro Bermúdez TBD Alcadia Somoto
Deportivo Las Sabanas Luis Vega Marvin Fletes Joma Nil
Walter Ferretti Henry Urbina René Huete Umbro Claro, Iniser, Disnorte Dissur

Standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Walter Ferretti 18 9 6 3 23 14 +9 33 Advance to Playoffs
(Semifinals)
2 Diriangén 18 9 5 4 25 15 +10 32
3 Real Estelí 18 8 4 6 26 14 +12 28 Advance to Playoffs
(Quarterfinals)
4 Managua 18 7 6 5 35 25 +10 27
5 Juventus Managua 18 6 6 6 21 18 +3 24
6 Deportivo Las Sabanas 18 6 5 7 17 21 −4 23
7 Chinandega 18 6 4 8 17 30 −13 22
8 Deportivo Ocotal 18 5 6 7 18 26 −8 21
9 Real Madriz 18 3 10 5 17 25 −8 19
10 Municipal Jalapa 18 2 6 10 12 23 −11 12
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) head-to-head points; 5) head-to-head goal difference; 6) head-to-head goals scored; 7) draw.

Results
Home \ Away CHI DLS DPO DIR JVM MAN MCJ REE RMA WAF
Chinandega — 0–3 2–1 0–2 1–0 0–1 2–1 1–4 2–1 1–1
Deportivo Las Sabanas 1–0 — 0–1 1–1 0–0 4–1 3–0 1–0 0–2 1–2
Deportivo Ocotal 3–0 1–1 — 1–2 2–0 1–1 2–1 0–0 1–1 1–2
Diriangén 0–1 4–0 0–0 — 2–1 2–2 2–0 2–0 2–0 0–0
Juventus Managua 1–1 0–1 4–0 3–1 — 1–1 1–0 1–0 3–0 0–2
Managua 3–3 4–0 3–0 2–0 2–2 — 4–1 0–3 5–0 0–1
Municipal Jalapa 2–0 1–1 0–1 0–0 1–2 1–2 — 0–0 1–1 0–1
Real Estelí 4–0 3–0 2–0 3–1 2–0 2–1 0–2 — 1–1 0–1
Real Madriz 1–1 0–0 2–2 0–1 1–1 2–2 1–1 2–1 — 2–1
Walter Ferretti 1–2 1–0 5–1 1–3 1–1 2–1 0–0 1–1 0–0 —
Source: Soccerway
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Bracket
  Quarterfinals     Semi-finals     Finals
                                   
        4 Managua (p) 2 2 4 (5)  
  4 Managua (p) 0 (7)     1 Walter Ferretti 2 2 4 (3)    
  5 Juventus Managua 0 (6)         4 Managua 1 0 1
      3 Real Esteli (a.e.t.) 0 2 2
        3 Real Esteli (a.e.t.) 0 1 1    
  3 Real Esteli 1     2 Diriangén 0 1 1  
  6 Las Sabanas 0  

Key: (a) = Wins because of away goals rule, (a.e.t.) = Wins after extra time in second leg, (p) = Wins after penalty shoot-out.


Quarterfinals
Managua0 – 0Juventus Managua
Penalties
7 – 6
Estadio Nacional, Managua

Managua progressed.

Real Esteli1 – 0Las Sabanas
Vinicius Da Souza  40'
Estadio Independencia, Estelí

Real Estelí progressed.

Semi-finals
Team 1 Agg. Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg
Real Esteli 1–1 (a) Diriangén 0–0 1–1
Managua F.C. 4–4 (5–3 p) Walter Ferretti 2–2 2–2 (a.e.t.)
Real Esteli0 – 0Diriangén
Estadio Independencia, Esteli
Diriangén1 – 1Real Esteli
Luis Coronel  26' Ayerdis  36'
Estadio Cacique, Diriangén
Referee: Rodolfo Paiz

1–1, Real Estelí won on away goals.


Managua F.C.2 – 2Walter Ferretti
Christiano Fernandez  17'
Carlos Felix  67'		 Rene Huete  14'
Leandro Figueroa  59'
Walter Ferretti2 – 2Managua F.C.
Pedro Dos Santos  55'
Dshon Forbes  92'		 Christiano Fernandez  70'
Erick Mendoza  85'
Estadio Nacional, Managua

4–4, Managua won 5–3 on penalties.

Final
Managua F.C.1 – 0Real Esteli
Pablo Gallego  32'
Estadio Nacional, Managua
Referee: Bayardo Ulises Juárez
Real Esteli2 – 0 (a.e.t.)Managua F.C.
Jaime Ayala  37'
Ricardo Rivas  98'
Estadio Independencia, Esteli
Referee: Nitzar Sandoval

Real Estelí won 2–1 on aggregate.

 Apertura 2019 Champions 
Real Esteli F.C.
15th title

Top scorers
Rank Player Club Goals[7]
1. Carlos FélixManagua10
2. Robinson LuizJuventus Managua7
Ulises RayoReal Madriz
4. ChristianoManagua6
Luis GaleanoMunicipal Jalapa
Pablo GállegoManagua
Eulises PavónJuventus Managua

Records
  • Top goalscorer: Mexican Carlos Felix (10 goals)
  • Most goals scored: Managua FC (35 goals)
  • Fewest goals scored: ART Jalapa (12 goals)
  • Fewest goals conceded : Walter Ferretti and Real Esteli (14 goals)
  • Most goals conceded : Chinandega (30 goals)

Clausura

Personnel and sponsoring
Team Manager Captain Kit manufacturer Kit sponsors
ART Municipal Jalapa Angel Orellana Luis Manuel Galeano Joma Agrotris
Chinandega Reyna Espinoza Lester Espinoza Nil Nil
Diriangén FC Flavio da Silva Jason Coronel Joma Claro, Ocal, Victoria frost
Juventus Managua Hector Medina Darwin Guity TBD TBD
Managua Emilio Aburto Cristiano Fernández da Lima Joma Brini
Ocotal Reynaldo Clavasquín Guillermo Espino Nil Alcadia Ocotal
Real Estelí Holver Flores Jason Casco Kappa Beco, Movi star, La Curacao, Banpro, Vitalsis
Real Madriz Juan Ramirez Alvaro Bermúdez TBD Alcadia Somoto
Deportivo Las Sabanas Luis Vega Marvin Fletes Joma Nil
Walter Ferretti Henry Urbina René Huete Umbro Claro, Iniser, Disnorte Dissur

Standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Managua 18 13 3 2 34 15 +19 42 Advance to Playoffs
(Semifinals)
2 Real Estelí 18 10 5 3 29 11 +18 35
3 Diriangén 18 10 5 3 22 11 +11 35 Advance to Playoffs
(Quarterfinals)
4 Walter Ferretti 18 9 3 6 31 18 +13 30
5 Municipal Jalapa 18 6 5 7 17 21 −4 23
6 Juventus Managua 18 5 6 7 23 23 0 21
7 Chinandega 18 5 3 10 18 31 −13 18
8 Real Madriz 18 5 2 11 15 27 −12 17
9 Deportivo Ocotal 18 4 4 10 14 26 −12 16
10 Deportivo Las Sabanas 18 2 6 10 11 31 −20 12
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) head-to-head points; 5) head-to-head goal difference; 6) head-to-head goals scored; 7) draw.

Results
Home \ Away CHI DLS DPO DIR JVM MAN MCJ REE RMA WAF
Chinandega — 3–0 2–3 0–1 4–0 0–1 1–0 1–3 2–1 1–1
Deportivo Las Sabanas 1–1 — 0–0 1–1 1–1 0–1 0–0 1–2 2–1 0–2
Deportivo Ocotal 1–0 1–1 — 0–0 0–0 3–1 1–2 1–2 0–1 0–1
Diriangén 3–0 1–2 2–0 — 1–0 2–0 0–0 2–0 3–1 2–1
Juventus Managua 1–1 5–0 0–1 3–0 — 1–2 3–2 0–0 2–0 4–1
Managua 1–0 4–1 2–1 2–1 4–2 — 6–1 1–1 3–1 1–0
Municipal Jalapa 0–1 1–0 2–1 0–0 2–0 1–1 — 1–2 1–0 2–0
Real Estelí 5–1 1–0 5–0 0–0 0–0 0–2 2–0 — 4–0 0–0
Real Madriz 2–0 4–1 2–0 0–1 0–0 0–0 1–0 0–2 — 1–2
Walter Ferretti 7–0 2–0 2–1 1–2 4–1 0–1 2–2 1–0 4–0 —
Source: Soccerway
Legend: Blue = home team win; Yellow = draw; Red = away team win.

Bracket
  Quarterfinals     Semi-finals     Finals
                                   
        3 Diriangén 0 0 0  
  3 Diriangén 1     2 Real Estelí 1 0 1    
  6 Juventus Managua 0         2 Real Estelí 1 3 4
      1 Managua 1 1 2
        4 Walter Ferretti 0 2 2    
  4 Walter Ferretti 5     1 Managua 0 4 4  
  5 Municipal Jalapa 1  

Key: (a) = Wins because of away goals rule, (a.e.t.) = Wins after extra time in second leg, (p) = Wins after penalty shoot-out.

Quarterfinals
Diriangén1 – 0Juventus Managua

Diriangén progressed.

Walter Ferretti5 – 1Municipal Jalapa

Walter Ferretti progressed.

Semi-finals
Team 1 Agg. Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg
Diriangén 0–1 Real Estelí 0–1 0–0
Walter Ferretti 2–4 Managua 0–0 2–4
Diriangén0 – 1Real Estelí
Acevedo  74'
Real Estelí0 – 0Diriangén

Real Estelí won 1–0 on aggregate.

Walter Ferretti0 – 0Managua
Managua4 – 2Walter Ferretti

Managua won 4–2 on aggregate.

Final
Real Estelí1 – 1Managua
López  64' Gállego  69'
Managua1 – 3Real Estelí
Félix  84'

Real Estelí won 4–2 on aggregate.


Top scorers
Rank Player Club Goals[8]
1. Fernando VillalpandoWalter Ferretti10
2. Pablo GállegoManagua8
3. ChristianoManagua6
Leandro FigueroaWalter Ferretti
Dshon ForbesWalter Ferretti
Ulises RayoReal Madriz

Discipline

Aggregate table
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Managua (Q) 36 20 9 7 69 40 +29 69 CONCACAF League preliminary round[lower-alpha 1]
2 Diriangén 36 19 10 7 47 26 +21 67
3 Real Estelí (Q) 36 18 9 9 55 25 +30 63 CONCACAF League round of 16[lower-alpha 2]
4 Walter Ferretti 36 18 9 9 54 32 +22 63
5 Juventus Managua 36 11 12 13 44 41 +3 45
6 Chinandega 36 11 7 18 35 61 −26 40
7 Deportivo Ocotal 36 9 10 17 32 52 −20 37
8 Real Madriz 36 8 12 16 32 52 −20 36
9 Municipal Jalapa (O) 36 8 11 17 29 44 −15 35 Relegation play-offs
10 Deportivo Las Sabanas (R) 36 8 11 17 28 52 −24 35 Relegated to Segunda División
Source: Soccerway Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(O) Play-off winner; (Q) Qualified to the phase indicated; (R) Relegated.
Notes:
  1. As Apertura and Clausura runners-up (NCA2)
  2. As Apertura and Clausura champions (NCA1)

Relegation play-offs
Team 1 Agg. Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg
Deportivo Masaya 3–4 Municipal Jalapa 2–1 1–3
Deportivo Masaya2 – 1Municipal Jalapa
  • Rocha  72'
  • Gutiérrez  89'
  • Coelho  6'
Municipal Jalapa3 – 1Deportivo Masaya
  • M. García  19'
  • Ramos  27'
  • Colindres  87'
 Report
  • Guevara  60'

List of foreign players in the league

This is a list of foreign players in the 2019–20 season. The following players:

  1. Have played at least one game for the respective club.
  2. Have not been capped for the Nicaragua national football team on any level, independently from the birthplace

A new rule was introduced this season, that clubs can have four foreign players per club and can only add a new player if there is an injury or a player/s is released and it is before the close of the season transfer window.

(player released during the Apertura season) (player released between the Apertura and Clausura seasons) (player released during the Clausura season)

References
  1. "The country which does not fear COVID-19: "These things happen"". Be Soccer. 28 March 2020. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52084121
  3. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/mar/29/belarus-football-continues-coronavirus-premier-league
  4. Flores, Omar (26 March 2020). "Mexicans players in Nicaragua play through coronavirus outbreak as fear, uncertainty linger". ESPN FC. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
  5. Wagner, James (14 April 2020). "Looking for a Full Sports Calendar? Try Nicaragua". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  6. "ФФТ ПРИОСТАНОВИЛА ВСЕ ФУТБОЛЬНЫЕ СОРЕВНОВАНИЯ ДО 10 МАЯ". fft.tj/ (in Tajik). Tajikistan Football Federation. 25 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  7. "Clausura Top Scorers". Soccerway. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  8. "Clausura Top Scorers". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
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