In La Plata we live special and different days. In the streets, the heat is mixed with anxiety and tension. Sports shirts are predominant in white, blue and red and white. A new version of the match is coming that paralyzes the capital, Buenos Aires. It is not just another classic match for a specific date in the local tournament, but a semi-final.
This is why the atmosphere differs from the previous confrontations between Gimnasia and Estudiantes, Estudiantes Gimnasia, because this time there must be a winner who will play the final next Saturday, December 13.
With a heat sensation of 31 degrees, two greats of student and gymnastics history such as Martín Mazzucco and Martín Pautasso arrive together at the EL DIA editorial office, for a rich conversation in the run-up to the classic match on Monday afternoon at the Del Bosque Stadium. The first thing they do is ask how the World Cup draw is going and then they approach the screen to follow it closely.
After solving the puzzle, they proceeded to swap anecdotes from their time as professionals, the 1996 match in which León stole a dream win from Lobo at the old 1 y 57, or Trebeiro’s 4-1 win over Pincha en El Bosque. This back and forth continues until the recorder and camera light are turned on, to give some sort of formality to the meeting.
In this sense, Bituku stops at that match in 1996, where he says: “Gimnasia did very well in the old man’s time, with several tournaments being the champion. It was more than just a classic tournament, because it was the definition of a tournament. The Wolf could be consecrated in our stadium. It is a sign that does not happen many times, to become champion in the stadium of your eternal rival.”
At the same time, he adds to the pressure the team was under: “For those who lived at City, and in this case for me, I can tell you that I hardly slept, because with the anxiety and nervousness that was at play, it was one of the best I played.”
For his part, Bottasso explains his experiences with the classic match in June 2005: “I have good memories because it was the last match I played, plus we won with a big combination of plays and goals. It also happened in the week that President Muñoz went to cheat us.”
Regarding the president’s initiative at the time to hand over a zero-kilometer car to the team on the basis of goal difference in the event of victory, he said: “For this type of match, you do not need an incentive, because knowing the frame that will be on the field, you just have to prepare, and the most beautiful thing is to play and enter the field.”
Is it the most important classic match in history for both clubs?
– Martin Botasso: It’s important, but every classic lives on in a different way. This is because it is a final and decisive situation, where whoever loses is sure to receive blame from others. But for me, every match like this is historic and leaves a mark. You should try to enjoy it and benefit from it.
Martin Mazzocco: Obviously it’s important, it’s a semi-finished example. I think the most important classic match was 1-1, where Gimnasia had the chance to become champions at Estudiantes.
– Is the home stadium considered a plus or pressure in this type of match?
– Representative: It depends on each player, but I think being local has an advantage, so it pays. That’s why we’re from the era where we played most of the time without visiting people, and that’s why the drive to be alone, you end up taking it to the field.
– millimeter: You have the incentive to play with your people, but at the same time you always have pressure, because locally you are more committed. It’s a classic game, because everyone is on your side, and whoever plays the visitor has different expectations, but that’s relative.
– Do you feel the same way about the way classic matches are experienced at City, as you did when you were a footballer?
-millimeter: I’m telling you that in my case it seems very light. I also have my kids and I live it differently than I used to play it. If you analyze it, but I have no fanaticism. I’m an Estudiantes fan, but I know how to understand the team’s situations when things are good or bad. And I don’t see that a lot on the street, I don’t see a lot of euphoria.
– Representative: I share what Martin says, when I can go to the field and take my kids. One may now experience more of that, whether in joy or sadness, but it is little of that. It has nothing to do with when I was a player, if I make jokes, but always with respect.
Is this loss of popular heritage related to the lack of attendance of visiting fans in stadiums?
-millimeter: Today classical folklore is more often presented at receptions. Once the referee blows the final whistle, it’s over. It has happened to me that my son follows Estudiantes everywhere, and I called people I know so that he could attend away matches, at Velez or Boca Stadium, because it was the only way to meet them.
– Representative: I undoubtedly have pictures of the last classic (2005), and you can see the Calle 60 with many Estudiantes fans. That was good, and the teams feel supported, but it seems difficult to get back to that.
The use of social networks has something to do with this as well, as the accusations or fallacies are seen there and not on the street.
-millimeter: This is complicated, because sometimes the issue of mutual respect crosses boundaries, and that’s when it’s taken to the field and people are appalled. They are more classic by default. Chicanos go there more, I’ll tell you frankly I don’t see him on the street. I came here and I didn’t see many people wearing the jerseys of both teams, you have to keep in mind that it’s hot too (laughs). Although he does show up on game day.
– Representative: Yes I participate. There is more life than the street itself.
– Although during your era you gave more importance to the media, does what is said on the Internet affect the player?
– millimeter: In our time there were more newspapers, and when you were playing terrible, you were afraid to read the comments or the results published by El Día (laughs), or other newspapers. I see that the young players have finished the game now and have everything in the net. But there are players who do not pay attention to the cell phone, and others are always aware. It’s another news.
– Representative: The issue of journalism has always been there, which is consistent in that sense, but now on networks, it’s very difficult to maintain. Moreover, the supporter has increased a lot, sometimes they are not journalists and give their opinion, show their positions, but it is respectful, as long as it is not intended to upset anyone, it is okay.
– Going back to the classic and current events of the teams, how did they live the classification of each team taking into account the position of each team?
– Representative: In the lead-up to the match with River, it was very tense, in terms of how to resolve the situation, considering that other results might work against us. And then they were released. When a team gains confidence it is difficult to stop them.
– millimeter: Everyone said Estudiantes came through the net, but they were never left out of the top eight, and I support and respect Eduardo Dominguez. He also overcame adversity, such as the absence of Guido Carrillo. The truth is that in recent matches he was superior, and in Santiago del Estero he was better, maybe with a little, but it was that.
How will you enjoy your Sunday experience?
-millimeter: Quiet, at home with family, or maybe we also get together with some friends.
– Representative: I go to the field with my children. The truth is, they are beautiful offers that are worth experiencing.
“The classic match I remember the most is the one from 2005, because that was the last match I played, and because of the difference we made against them.”
Martin Botasso, former Lobo player.
“I think the most important was in 1996, we banned them from roaming our house.”
Martin Mazzocco, former Bencha player.