He lived every minute as if it were his last. He protested, shouted, celebrated and was applauded by the fans. Different moments of an exciting final, but all united by one passion: the racing that he has loved since he was little as a fan, then as a footballer and today as a coach. Therefore, without a doubt, Gustavo Costas It was the great symbol of consecration in the South American Cup 2024.
On December 18 of last year, when he was presented as technical director for this season, he marked the path to follow. Knowing like few others the idiosyncrasies of the Avellaneda institution, he was convinced that a leap in quality had to be made: “Seeing Racing champion is the dream we have and what we are already working towards. At the time, we managed to stay alive, with all the people who supported us. But achieving something international is what I want most and what Racing fans want. “We don’t have to compete in the Cups anymore, we have to win them.”
A little more than 11 months after that press conference in Avellaneda, in which President Víctor Blanco accompanied him, Costas kept his word. He put together an intense team – true to his way of being -, marked by the offensive ferocity thanks to the goals of Adrián “Maravilla” Martínez, the speed of Maximiliano Salas, the talent of Juanfer Quintero, the deployment of Juan Nardoni and Gastón Martirena, the technique of Agustín Almendra, and the security provided by the goalkeeper Gabriel Arias plus defenders Marco Di Césare, Santiago Sosa and Agustín García Basso.
November 23, 2024 will be recorded in the history of Gustavo Costas. One more for the great relationship he has had with the Academy since he was little. Yes, because He was the mascot of the legendary team led by Juan José Pizzuti between 1966 and 1967; He later suffered relegation as a player in 1983, but was captain in the return to First Division in 1985; also won the 1988 Super Cup -precisely against Cruzeiro-; In 1999 he was the coach when the club was declared bankrupt. and now he returned for his third cycle and was crowned internationally, the great unfinished business.
“Everything I did and do in Racing I do from the heart”he repeated proudly. Every time he speaks he exposes a genuine racing identity. He is another fan when he laments about his darker past and clarifies that “the moments of happiness were only in some small steps.” But his eyes also shine when he describes the present: “The club is doing well today, very well. “We win tournaments and we have to keep winning.” But there is a fact that has incalculable value, a sincere message, that the supporters believe: “I am fine if Racing does well, whether Costas is there or whoever.”
A few hours before the final with Cruzeiro, in a press conference, he had said that he wanted to be remembered more as a fan of the Academy than as a coach. “You have to win no matter what,” he demanded. And glory came, but not “however”, because Racing played as it should, with football and heart. He played as Costas, the child’s father, wanted.
The blue and white intensity this Saturday at La Nueva Olla in Asunción is no coincidence. It is the trademark of the former central defender. This is how he lived it, he ran, he gestured, he asked. Before starting the game, he kissed the little cards; After the final whistle, he ran wildly, cried, hugged and congratulated his players.
At the celebrations he did not look like a coach who has already crossed 61 borders. He was just another crazy player. Happy. Costas was part of the happiness. Costas is Racing.
The joy of the champion coach
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
