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.

The league was 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 COVID-19 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

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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 Nicaragua Mauricio Cruz Sacked September 2019 Brazil Flavio da Silva September 2019 9th (Apertura 2019)
CD Ocotal Nicaragua Mario Alfaro Sacked October 2019 Honduras Marcos Rivera (Interim) October 2019 10th (Apertura 2019)
CD Ocotal Honduras Marcos Rivera Interimship finished October 2019 Honduras Reynaldo Clavasquín October 2019 10th (Apertura 2019)
ART Jalapa Nicaragua Leonidas Rodríguez Sacked October 2019 El Salvador Angel Orellana October 2019 9th (Apertura 2019)
Real Esteli Nicaragua Sergio Ivan Rodriguez Resigned November 2019 Nicaragua Holver Flores ‘’’Interim’’’ November 2019 3rd (Apertura 2019)
Real Madriz Nicaragua Miguel Angel Sanchez Resigned November 2019 Nicaragua 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 Argentina Roberto Armando Chanampe Sacked December 2019 Honduras Héctor Medina December 2019 TBD (Apertura 2019)
Real Madriz Nicaragua Carlos Matamoros Interimship finished December 2019 Panama Juan Ramirez January 2020 TBD (Apertura 2019)

Apertura

Personnel and sponsoring

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

Finals

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.Tooltip Aggregate score 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

Statistics

Top scorers

Rank Player Club Goals[7]
1. Mexico Carlos Félix Managua 10
2. Brazil Robinson Luiz Juventus Managua 7
Nicaragua Ulises Rayo Real Madriz
4. Brazil Christiano Managua 6
Nicaragua Luis Galeano Municipal Jalapa
Spain Pablo Gállego Managua
Nicaragua Eulises Pavón Juventus 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 El Salvador Angel Orellana Nicaragua Luis Manuel Galeano Joma Agrotris
Chinandega Nicaragua Reyna Espinoza Nicaragua Lester Espinoza Nil Nil
Diriangén FC Brazil Flavio da Silva Nicaragua Jason Coronel Joma Claro, Ocal, Victoria frost
Juventus Managua Honduras Hector Medina Honduras Darwin Guity TBD TBD
Managua Nicaragua Emilio Aburto Brazil Cristiano Fernández da Lima Joma Brini
Ocotal Honduras Reynaldo Clavasquín Nicaragua Guillermo Espino Nil Alcadia Ocotal
Real Estelí Nicaragua Holver Flores Nicaragua Jason Casco Kappa Beco, Movi star, La Curaçao, Banpro, Vitalsis
Real Madriz Panama Juan Ramirez Nicaragua Alvaro Bermúdez TBD Alcadia Somoto
Deportivo Las Sabanas Nicaragua Luis Vega Nicaragua Marvin Fletes Joma Nil
Walter Ferretti Nicaragua Henry Urbina Nicaragua 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.

Finals

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.Tooltip Aggregate score 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.


Statistics

Top scorers

Rank Player Club Goals[8]
1. Mexico Fernando Villalpando Walter Ferretti 10
2. Spain Pablo Gállego Managua 8
3. Brazil Christiano Managua 6
Argentina Leandro Figueroa Walter Ferretti
Nicaragua Dshon Forbes Walter Ferretti
Nicaragua Ulises Rayo Real 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[a]
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[b]
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 winners; (Q) Qualified for 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.Tooltip Aggregate score Team 2 1st leg 2nd leg
Deportivo Masaya 3–4 Municipal Jalapa 2–1 1–3
Deportivo Masaya2 – 1Municipal Jalapa

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. ^ "Belarus league plays on amid coronavirus". BBC Sport.
  3. ^ "Last league standing: Belarusian football basks in new-found popularity". TheGuardian.com. 29 March 2020.
  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 Russian). Tajikistan Football Federation. 25 April 2020. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  7. ^ "Clausura Top Scorers". Soccerway. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  8. ^ a b c "Clausura Top Scorers". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 April 2020.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%9320_Liga_Primera_de_Nicaragua
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