Atlético Tucumán is an Argentine football club based in the city of San Miguel de Tucumán, the capital of Tucumán Province. The club is one of the oldest and most successful teams in the northern region of Argentina, earning the nickname “The Giant of the North”.
History
Atlético Tucumán was founded on September 27, 1902, by a group of students who wanted to play football. The club adopted the colors blue and white, inspired by the Argentine flag. The club played its first official match in 1906, against Tucumán Rugby Club, winning 3-2.
The club participated in several regional tournaments, winning its first title in 1919. In 1934, Atlético Tucumán joined the Liga Tucumana de Fútbol, the local league, where it became one of the dominant forces. The club won 27 league titles between 1934 and 2015, more than any other team in Tucumán.
In 1974, Atlético Tucumán achieved its first promotion to the Primera División, the top division of Argentine football. The club played in the Primera División until 1981, when it was relegated to the second division. The club returned to the top flight in 1984, but was relegated again in 1986.
The club spent most of the next two decades in the lower divisions, facing financial and institutional problems. In 2008, Atlético Tucumán achieved its second promotion to the Primera División, after winning the Primera B Nacional tournament. The club had a remarkable campaign in the 2009 Clausura tournament, finishing fifth and qualifying for the Copa Sudamericana, its first international competition.
However, the club could not sustain its success and was relegated again in 2010. The club bounced back and won another promotion in 2015, after winning a playoff against Huracán. Since then, Atlético Tucumán has established itself as a competitive team in the Primera División, reaching the finals of the Copa Argentina in 2017 and qualifying for several continental tournaments.
Achievements
Atlético Tucumán has won several titles and honors throughout its history. Some of them are:
- Primera B Nacional: 2 (2008-09, 2015)
- Liga Tucumana de Fútbol: 27 (1934, 1935, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1951, 1953, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1972-73 Metropolitano B Zona Norte)
- Torneo Regional: 2 (1973-74 Zona Norte A y Final Nacional B)
- Torneo del Interior: 1 (1995-96 Zona Norte y Final Nacional)
- Copa Argentina: Runner-up (2016-17)
- Copa Sudamericana: Quarter-finals (2017)
- Copa Libertadores: Group stage (2018)
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Current situation
Atlético Tucumán is currently playing in the Liga Profesional de Fútbol (LPF), the new name of the Primera División since 2020. The club is coached by Sergio Gómez and Favio Orsi since July 2021. The club has a squad of 29 players, with an average age of 26.4 years. Some of the notable players are:
- Mateo Coronel: The top scorer of the team with 10 goals in 35 matches. He is a versatile forward who can play as a striker or a winger.
- Joaquín Pereyra: The captain and leader of the team. He is a creative midfielder who can also play as a defensive midfielder or a right-back.
- Marcelo Estigarribia: The most experienced player of the team with more than 300 matches in his career. He is a left winger who can also play as a left-back or a central midfielder.
- Bruno Bianchi: The most capped player of the team with more than 400 matches in his career. He is a central defender who can also play as a defensive midfielder or a right-back.
Atlético Tucumán is currently ranked 11th in the LPF table, with 11 points in 9 matches. The club has won 3 matches, drawn 2, and lost 4. The club has scored 9 goals and conceded 10. The club’s next match is against Talleres de Córdoba on October 25, 2023, at the Estadio Monumental José Fierro, the home stadium of Atlético Tucumán.
Conclusion
Atlético Tucumán is a club with a long and rich history, a loyal and passionate fan base, and a competitive and ambitious team. The club has overcome many difficulties and challenges, and has achieved remarkable feats and honors. The club is always looking to improve and grow, and to represent the northern region of Argentina with pride and honor. Atlético Tucumán is more than a club, it is a way of life.
