El Cilindro, dressed for a party, recalled the old days of Cups and the identity of a club that lives every international night as if it were the last. But it's not the first time that Racing has turned its home into a continental spectacle. From every corner of the stadium, it rained paper, the stands lit up with flares, and the sky of Avellaneda was illuminated by fireworks. The flags, which are always present, were set aside this time, as there was a risk of them being burned. The scene was imposing: the players hugged before the initial whistle, and Flamengo itself looked on in awe at the magnitude of the welcome. The return leg of the semifinal against Flamengo began with the stadium transformed into a blue and white hell, where everything-or-nothing is at stake: qualification for the Copa Libertadores final. Gustavo Costas's team took to the field amidst a deafening atmosphere. In 2024, against Corinthians in the Copa Sudamericana semifinal, the club had already organized a similar welcome that ended with a financial sanction from Conmebol and a match behind closed doors. However, no one in the management regrets it: they considered that the fan's encouragement was worth every fine, and this time they once again bet on fervor, even knowing they could face another punishment. Fines are paid, passion is not negotiable, and today, with El Cilindro vibrating as rarely before, it is difficult to argue otherwise.
