Independiente's coach, Gustavo Quintero, commented on the upcoming match against Rosario Central, calling it a 'final' within the framework of the last round of the league phase of the 2025 Clausura Tournament. At the press conference after the agonizing 1-0 victory of the 'Red' over Deportivo Riestra, which ended the 'Malevo's' 27-match unbeaten run at home, the 60-year-old head coach stated that against the 'Canalla' they will face 'the best team of the year.' Although the Avellaneda side was mathematically eliminated from the championship's Playoffs a week earlier, they still have a chance to qualify for the 2026 Copa Sudamericana, although it will require a near miracle. In the same vein, the coach, who has passed through Vélez Sarsfield and Chile's Colo Colo, stated: 'We are a bit anguished for not having been able to qualify among the top eight. There is little space because they run a lot and are well positioned tactically. I hope the Sudamericana can be given to us.' To do this, the 'Red Devils' will not only have to defeat the Rosario team, but also wait for Huracán not to score points against Barracas Central, for Lanús to win the 2025 Copa Sudamericana (they are in the final) or to surpass them in the annual table, and for the Clausura Tournament champion to come from a team within the Top 9 of the annual table. Finally, Quintero analyzed the development of the match that took place at the Guillermo Laza stadium. 'At times we could play well against them and at others not. I am very happy,' he said. And he concluded regarding the controversy in which the main referee, Fernando Espinoza, decided not to sanction a penalty in favor of Independiente for a hand inside the area: 'I don't know why the referee nor the VAR didn't call it.' 'Riestra plays a difficult football.'
