The 2019–20 season is Instituto's 15th consecutive season in the second division of Argentine football, Primera B Nacional. The season generally covers the period from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020. Review Pre-season On 10 May 2019, Mateo Klimowicz agreed a move to German side Stuttgart; penning a five-year deal. On 22 May, Instituto announced their first off-season signing in goalkeeper Germán Salort from Agropecuario. Another notable departure was confirmed on 5 June, as centre-forward Pablo Vegetti, their top goalscorer in 2018–19, joined Belgrano. A double signing was revealed on 11 June, as Maximiliano López and José Villegas signed from lower league pair Villa Mitre and Sansinena. Also on that day, Leandro Vella left for Primera División team Godoy Cruz. Midfielder Damián Arce came through the door on 19 June from Almagro. Numerous loans from the past campaign officially expired on and around 30 June. Hours after, Instituto communicated the incoming of Facundo Silva. Argentine-Chilean centre-forward Germán Estigarribia joined on 3 July, having most recently spent time with Deportes Antofagasta in Chile. Back-to-back meetings with Talleres kicked off Instituto's pre-season, though neither ended with victory; the initial encounter, a loss, was abandoned by the referee due to the aggressive nature of the match. Three days later, Instituto lost a friendly to Torneo Regional Federal Amateur outfit Atenas; in a fixture which celebrated their opponents' 103rd year of existence. Facundo Erpen penned a contract from San Martín on 11 July. Instituto drew in two friendlies with Central Córdoba on 16 July. They then fell to a draw and a defeat to Belgrano in exhibition games on 20 July. Sebastián Navarro headed to second tier All Boys on 23 July. Instituto travelled to the Estadio Bautista Gargantini to face Independiente Rivadavia in friendlies on 27 July, playing out a 1–1 tie before losing 1–0. The same overall outcomes occurred on 3 August when Instituto met Sportivo Belgrano, which took their winless pre-season streak to eleven matches. On 5 August, Sarmiento publicised the arrival of Facundo Castelli. Instituto concluded their exhibition preparations with consecutive defeats at home to Güemes on 9 August. 12 August saw Facundo Affranchino depart to Villa Dálmine. On 15 August, Francisco Apaolaza became Instituto's eighth new addition. August Instituto's bad form continued into their opening day fixture in Primera B Nacional, as Villa Dálmine scored in either half to secure a 2–0 victory on 17 August. New signing