[EN] Promotion, playoffs and relegation: keys to the Primera RFEF, Real Zaragoza’s category

The Real Zaragoza, together with the Aragonese S.D. Huesca and C.D. Teruel, faces a peculiar season. For the Maños, the worst in its long history, which is commendable considering that it was founded in 1932. The point is that they are going to compete in the third division, formally called Primera RFEF, and that they have numerous keys.

In total there are 40 teams that are part of it. 20 are in the west group (Group I) and another 20 in the east (Group II). The Real Zaragoza is framed, together with the rest of the representatives of Aragón, in Group II. Of course, both work in the same way.

Four teams are promoted. To do it directly, the Real Zaragoza must win the championship. They must be the first classified in Group II of the Primera RFEF. It is the easiest way – and the obligatory one – to return to the Second Division, already sad for a team like the man. Only the champions of each group go up directly and from here the first two come out.

Bad, although just as valid, would be to do it in the playoffs, where the other two come from. To do this, the Real Zaragoza should occupy places between second and fifth place. They are measured second against fifth and third against fourth. The ties are two-legged and, although there is extra time, there are no penalties: the best placed team advances in the event of a draw. The winners meet in the playoff final.

THE DESCENT

For the less powerful teams, the threat of relegation is brutal. Ten teams are relegated from the 40 that make up the Primera RFEF, five for each group. In other words, being below 15th place implies the loss of the category. As it seemed that there was no step below the Second Division, the Real Zaragoza will also have to be careful now in the third division…

In this category all teams have a lot at stake practically until the end of the championship. There is no warm area. Last season, the separation between relegation and playoffs was 14 points in Group II and 15 in Group I. That is, less than four games after 38 played.

The relegation percentage is 25% in Primera RFEF. Exactly the same percentage of teams fighting for promotion. This means that half of the teams that compete in the third step of Spanish football are promoted, playoff or relegated.

FIRST DAY

The Real Zaragoza kicks off their journey in the Primera RFEF this Sunday against Nástic de Tarragona. He does so in a totally unknown category, of a very low level, never seen in the history of the white team. Getting out on the fast track is a must.