Did you feel the electricity in Rio? Juan Sebastián Verón spoke from the Brazilian metropolis after Estudiantes clinched a spot in the Libertadores final, dispatching Flamengo on penalties at the Maracanã. Before flying back to La Plata, the club president dissected the journey, admitted the hurdles and underscored how the team’s history weighs on international stages.
With the Pincha eyeing a showdown against Palmeiras, Verón said the club has always kept the Libertadores trophy in its sights, even during shaky periods when a final seemed a distant dream. The ambition never wavered, he added.
“Coach Medina once called the Libertadores an obsession at a time when few believed a final was possible. We always thought it could happen and made it a target,” Verón affirmed, echoing the coach’s earlier statements.
He admitted the path to the final was anything but smooth. The squad rode a roller‑coaster of form, struggling for consistency, yet rose to the occasion when it mattered most, especially in the tie with Flamengo.
Verón highlighted how Estudiantes’ storied past fuels its Libertadores aspirations.
A core theme of Verón’s analysis was Estudiantes’ identity and its deep‑rooted tradition in continental contests. He believes the club’s legacy shapes its mindset in crucial matches, regardless of current form.
“Beyond the ups and downs, the weight of history guides us. In these tournaments Estudiantes usually steps up, rarely falters,” the president observed.
He also praised the squad’s makeup and the meticulous work of coach Alexander Medina, crediting him with fine‑tuning preparations and spotting the tiny details that can swing a game of this magnitude.
“We have a strong roster and a savvy technical staff focused on the details. Consistency was tough, but we didn’t slip in the big moments. We played exactly how we should,” Verón concluded.
Now that the ticket is secured, Estudiantes will chase their fifth Libertadores on November 28, facing Palmeiras at Montevideo’s Estadio Centenario. It’s a fresh chance for the Pincha to let their continental pedigree shine and chase another international crown.