Recalling the historic 2009 final against Barcelona, former player and coach Claudio Gugnali emphasized that commitment, history, and respect for predecessors are decisive factors.
In the interview he discussed his current work with the Sub‑20 Ascenso team, highlighting clubs’ structural growth and the emergence of young talent. "There are many good players and it’s not a coincidence," he said, convinced that development and identity remain the fundamental pillars of Argentine football.
For Gugnali, Estudiantes de La Plata is a unique club with a culture transmitted from the youth ranks, explaining its ability to compete against more powerful rivals.
The report, published on December 27 in Buenos Aires, states that the former player claimed Estudiantes was the best team of the year and explained that in Argentine football "finals are decisive". Pincha managed to seize his moment in a context of great parity and won when it mattered, despite an uneven path in the overall standings.
The coach highlighted that the team of Eduardo Domínguez reached the last match "depending on several results", but this scenario became a turning point. "This football is so even that whoever knows how to take advantage of those moments ends up being the best," he said, explaining why the victory did not surprise him.
Analyzing Estudiantes’ place in the club’s history, Gugnali placed it among the most important cycles, with Domínguez as the coach who "found his place". He also noted that Osvaldo Zubeldía’s cycle is the ultimate reference, highlighting the stages of Carlos Bilardo and Alejandro Sabella, emphasizing that international achievements "leave an indelible mark" on Pincha’s identity.
One of the central themes of the interview was belonging.
