The Torneo Apertura, the opening stage of the Argentine football league, is set to start on Thursday, with a five-match slate. 

The season is kicking off at 5 p.m. Argentine time, as Mar del Plata’s Aldosivi — which narrowly avoided relegation last year — hosts Defensa y Justicia. The action continues at 8 p.m., as Banfield takes on Huracán and Unión de Santa Fe faces off against Platense.

Central Córdoba (Santiago del Estero) will host top-tier newcomers Gimnasia (Mendoza) at 10:15 p.m., while Instituto (Córdoba) will receive Vélez Sarsfield at the same time to wrap up the first day of........

© Buenos Aires Herald