Tijuana Xolos Solidify Defense with Alejandro Donatti Signing
This Tuesday, June 27, the signing of the Argentine defender, Alejandro Donatti, was officially announced by the Tijuana Xolos.
The 30-year-old centre-back came over from Flamengo in Brazil and should help build a more formidable defense for Eduardo Coudet in the Liga MX Apertura 2017.
The Argentine has had a respectable career, dating back to 2008, when he received his first minutes in professional soccer with the Argentine club, Bocas Unidos. Donatti played well in the Argentine second division with Bocas Unidos and earned a loan deal to Argentine first division side, Tigre, in 2012.
After his loan spell at Tigre, Donatti moved to Eduardo Coudet’s former club, Rosario Central, where he played from 2013-2016.
“El Chacho” Coudet coached Rosario Central from 2015-2016 and knows what Donatti can bring on the field and what the defender is capable of. 2015 was an outstanding year for the Argentine centre-back as he was solid defensively and managed to score three goals in 28 appearances in league play as well.
Donatti moved on from his home country and made a move to Brazil at his most recent team, Flamengo. Donatti won his most notable title with the Brazilian team, winning the Campeonato Carioca this year. The 30-year-old has yet to win any major league titles in his extensive career and will be motivated for success at the border city side.
“El Flaco” has an immense physical presence at 6-foot-3, combined with spectacular defensive abilities, while still being capable of going forward and obtaining goals.
Donatti should be dangerous on set-pieces, especially on corners, and should be able to get a couple of goals this season. Like some of the other signings this off-season, the transfer does raise some important questions. The Xolos now have three potent centre-backs in Donatti, Emmanuel Aguilera, and the captain, Juan Carlos Valenzuela. Michael Orozco can also play in that position and it will be interesting to see what players will form the back line for the Aztec Canines in the Apertura 2017.
The signing of Alejandro Donatti certainly brings a lot of competition into the squad and that should also improve the team heading into next season. The defender is the third signing for Eduardo Coudet in the international market and there is set to be at least two more signings coming in from Argentina in Matias Aguirregaray and Damian Musto. “El Chacho” has done a superb job rebuilding the team and hopefully that can translate into results next season.
Francisco, 26, Chula Vista/Tijuana. I have been a Padres fan all my life, did most of the series previews and recaps in the Padres’ 2016 season for EVT. Now I focus more on the local soccer scene. Tijuana Xolos, San Diego Loyal, San Diego Wave.
