Leonardo Sigali returns to the Estadio Presidente Perón on Friday as Racing Club hosts Aldosivi for a crucial Torneo Clausura match, exactly two years after bidding farewell to the club’s supporters, Racing de Alma reported. The veteran central defender, who won five titles during a seven-year stint in Avellaneda, arrives with his current club facing the threat of relegation to the Primera Nacional.

The Stakes at the Cilindro

Friday’s fixture carries significant consequences for both ends of the table. A victory for Racing would automatically condemn Aldosivi of Mar del Plata to the second division, while a draw would leave the visitors waiting on Saturday’s result between Deportivo Riestra and Talleres at the Kempes. Sigali enters the match recovering from a muscular injury in his right biceps femoris. Despite missing the last two fixtures, recovery timelines suggest the defender will at least feature among the substitutes for the visitors.

Sigali Career Path in Avellaneda

Sigali arrived at Racing in 2017 after spending three seasons with Dinamo Zagreb in the Croatian First Football League, with the Argentine club paying a fee near 2.000.000 dollars for his transfer. Then-manager Eduardo Coudet personally traveled to Sigali’s hometown of Campana to convince him to join the project. Vine por dos años y me quedé siete, Sigali recalled in December 2024 when announcing the end of his tenure.

After making his debut in January 2018 during a 2-1 defeat against Unión, Sigali partnered with Alejandro Donatti in central defense. He lifted the Superliga 2018-19 title and subsequently assumed the team captaincy following the departure of Lisandro López. Operating under managers including Sebastián Beccacece, Juan Antonio Pizzi, Fernando Gago, and Gustavo Costas, Sigali added the 2022 Trofeo de Campeones and the 2022 Supercopa Internacional to his trophy cabinet.

Recent Departures and Final Triumph

Sigali’s playing time decreased during the 2024 campaign following the arrival of defenders Marco Di Césare and Agustín García Basso. Even as his role shifted, he remained a team leader during the Copa Sudamericana campaign in Asunción. With Gabriel Arias wearing the captain’s armband throughout the tournament, Sigali lifted the continental trophy before playing his final match.

On December 14, 2024, the club honored the center-back in front of a capacity crowd at the Cilindro before he returned to Croatia to sign with NK Lokomotiva in Zagreb. Friday’s fixture marks his first appearance back at the venue since that farewell ovation.

Tactical Adjustments for Racing

Racing manager Sebastián Romero looks to address offensive struggles by altering his lineup. Lautaro Díaz returns to the starting XI to replace youth player Alejandro Tello, who started in the midfield during a 1-0 defeat against River Plate. With Díaz joining Adrián Martínez and Tomás Conechny, Romero intends to deploy a three-forward system against the visitors.