Youth center player for San Albano, Lautaro Espíndola, reflected on how his club secured its place in URBA's First Division and stated that "he couldn't believe it." The 21-year-old player, in an interview with the Argentine News Agency, opined that it was a transitional year due to a generational change that "will be beneficial for the future," and he valued the "auriazul" club for being "a second family." San Albano had finished in last place in the second division with 25 points after 26 rounds and had to play a playoff to avoid relegation. Thus, the Burzaco club defeated Ferrocarril General San Martín in the semi-final 22-17 and beat Circulo Universitario de Quilmes in an emotional final in La Plata, 34-29 in overtime. Here are the details of the interview with NA: Argentine News Agency: How were the days leading up to the two promotion playoff finals experienced from within and in the locker room? Lautaro Espíndola: They were very different. I joined the squad less than two years ago and I feel I am still growing and learning. In terms of sports, I think I have improved a lot, although there is still a long way to go. Also, many former players returned, which helped the team a lot in terms of getting back up and continuing. Argentine News Agency/San Albano Press. NA: What feelings went through you at the moment the referee blew the whistle and it was confirmed that you had avoided relegation? LE: It was madness. At that moment, I cried and couldn't believe it, to be honest. In the semi-final, we were told we just had to find one more week and it wasn't impossible, we could do it. I always trained with all my might to try to get there, although I didn't feel it was going to be this year when it would happen for me. It was a great sense of relief. NA: What did it mean for you and other members of the first team squad that you were able to speak with, the reception the bus received before the trip to La Plata and the support in the stands? LE: It was pride, because the San Albano fans are always there, despite the difficult moments, and they give you an extra boost: we don't play just for ourselves, we play for a club and its people, we play for everyone. First because the match ended in a draw, we almost lost it near the end, and as soon as overtime ended, which was supported by Lautaro Severina, I couldn't believe it. Anyway, my goal is always to be there and try to play in first team as much as I can. Argentine News Agency/San Albano Press. NA: How did you start in sports and why did you choose rugby? LE: I had done several sports before, but none of them caught my attention, until a cousin who lives near the club invited me to try out. The team was very battered, we only won five matches this year, and in that sense, the captain is the one who lifted us the most. It was the merit of the captain, Agustín Irurzun, who kept us all going every day so that we wouldn't give up. I think that's what sets rugby apart from football; in the final, we entered the field next to the CUQ fans and there was no problem at all. Debuting in first team was the most beautiful thing and I think it was a perfect end to the year. NA: What was the moment when you were called to debut in first team in the last round against Hurling? LE: When the assistant coach, Germán Vidal, called me and told me I had five minutes to warm up, I couldn't believe it. It was all mental; I knew I had to come back, recover well from my knee and go step by step, aware that if I followed the process, everything would be fine. NA: Were you dreaming, at the start of the season, that this would be the year of your debut in first team? LE: It was always my goal. NA: From what position did you have to support in the final? LE: No, I preferred to be with the fans singing and cheering. Argentine News Agency/San Albano Press. NA: Despite the epic way they saved themselves, San Albano had a bad year. Unlike last year, I was able to start in the intermediate team and, despite getting injured, I was able to come back and maintain my level. I think the results were due to the generational change that all clubs have. Little by little, I started going to train with the kids, see the first team and I fell in love with San Albano. NA: What place does San Albano hold in your life? LE: It is one of my priorities, I have been in the club since I was six years old and it is almost the most important thing in my life, after my family. I don't want to say that our results were normal, the truth is that in several matches we were close to winning them and we would have avoided the playoff, but I feel it was a year of a lot of learning and growth and it will serve for the future. NA: You started the year in Pre-A, as the months went by you earned a spot in the intermediate team, you ended as a starter and you managed to debut in first team, besides going through an injury, how do you value what your year was like on a personal level? LE: On an individual level, I think it was quite good. The truth is, it motivates you to go for everything and it wasn't just any match, it was a final. NA: Were you part of that trip with the first team squad? The squad is still very young, we are many boys between 20 and 23 years old. I said "that's it," in five minutes I'm debuting in first team. The truth is, it made me very happy, several times I was very close to entering and I knew that at some point it would arrive. Argentine News Agency/San Albano Press. NA: This year you had to go through a knee injury, how was that moment and what lessons does it leave to go through something like that and be able to recover well? LE: It was a very ugly moment, because I felt I was in good shape and I was stopped for two months. On an individual level, I think adding more minutes in first team, that will be seen next year. NA: As someone who experiences it from the inside, why is it said that rugby is a family and a sport with marked values? LE: Rugby gave me certain values and a lot of learning, of discipline and respect for the rival. We always help each other. You play a match and, even after tackles, you shake your opponent's hand. There is also a lot of commitment to give a hand to the one next to you, when he lacks something material or has no way to travel to a match, everyone is always there to help, among the members of one age group or even with others, even if they are not so friendly. It is a second family. Argentine News Agency/San Albano Press. NA: What are your goals for next year, on a collective and individual level? LE: Collectively, to be in playoff positions to try to get promoted. I went and got hooked, so from then on my parents started to support me. NA: What balance do you make and how important was it to maintain the category? LE: I don't know if it's a negative balance.
