Racing’s failure in the Copa Sudamericana continues to generate a lot of anger among the fans after the elimination. The Academy needed just one point against an eliminated rival and was left empty-handed. There is no consolation for this terrible stumble by Fernando Gago’s team. But there are close antecedents, although each one with different nuances.
In the last seven years, there have been occasional occasions where the fan felt enormously disappointed after an elimination. In 2015, the Copa Libertadores draw opened up a huge chance for Racing. They had to overcome Guaraní from Paraguay in the quarterfinals closing the key as local. Grimi’s mistake in a back pass, expulsion to Saja and everything uphill. Ibáñez saved the penalty but Racing did not go beyond the tie and due to the previous defeat in Paraguay they were left with nothing.
For the round of 16 of the Copa Libertadores, Racing faced Atlético Mineiro closing the phase in Brazil. If we stay only with the instance and the rival does not seem so dramatic, although with the best Racing team in several decades the situation is magnified And it smells like failure. Goalless draw in Avellaneda (a valid goal against Grimi was annulled) and defeat 2-1 in Brazil for a roster made up of Óscar Romero, Gustavo Bou, Licha López, Diego Milito, Egg Acuña, Roger Martínez, De Paul, among others .
Against Libertad in 2017, a new frustration. Defeated 1-0 in Paraguay and a goalless draw at home, with Lautaro Martínez and Licha López as figures on the squad. Against River in 2018, a very tough elimination due to the 3-0 win at the Monumental, after a scoreless draw at the Cilindro.
Coudet’s role and painful elimination of Beccacece in the Bombonera
El Chacho Coudet had a successful cycle in Racing although he was not exempt from a failure in the Argentine Cup, which included two papers. Defeat against Sarmiento de Resistencia with a top squad in 2018 and loss against Boca Unidos de Corrientes in 2019, both in the first round. Another frustration that the fan does not forget is that of the Beccacece team in the Bombonera. After the 1-0 victory at the Cilindro, a tie against Boca was enough to put the team in the semifinals of the Copa Libertadores. But Racing didn’t even kick on goal and ended 2-0 down (Arias was a figure and saved the team from a landslide). Pizzi also had his. He was beaten 5-0 by River in the final of the Argentine Super Cup on a night to forget.
Even with all of the above, the feeling remains that this early elimination in the Copa Sudamericana is one of the most embarrassing. Especially because of the context. Racing had had a very good semester but it tarnished it with this elimination and a new failure. It was enough for him with one point, at home and against a much inferior rival. With everything in his favour, he failed. That’s why it still hurts.