Lanús coach Mauricio Pellegrino expressed great joy about reaching the Copa Sudamericana final, stating that “it's a party for the whole club”. Furthermore, the manager emphasized that he is “very grateful to the players” and described them as “a great family”. After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, the “Granate” won 1-0 at home against Universidad de Chile with a controversial goal from forward Rodrigo Castillo, due to a previous handball that was not called, and advanced to the Sudamericana final for the third time in their history. Happy with the qualification, but with his usual calm, Pellegrino opened the press conference by stating that “we have to celebrate tonight” and “savor the victory”. Regarding the players, the coach assured he is “very grateful” to them, and commented that, between the squad and the technical staff, they form a “great family”. As for the fans, Pellegrino valued the support provided, even though it “costs them a lot to come to the stadium” due to ticket prices. Regarding what would have been the 65th birthday of Diego Armando Maradona, an Argentine icon who had shown his sympathy for Lanús on some occasions, the DT ventured that “hopefully he was able to help us”, admitting that there are moments when “one needs luck to be on their side and today it was”. Looking ahead, the 54-year-old coach pointed out that they want to “finish as high as possible in the local tournament”, and that they are currently thinking about the next edition of the Clásico del Sur against Banfield, to be played next Monday, November 3rd, and later they will have the Clausura playoffs, ensuring that “later we will think about the final” and concluded: “we want to keep going and improving”.
