From the Field to the Bench: Players Who Made History

Gustavo Costas made his debut for Racing Club in 1981. He was a central defender, a symbol of La Academia, and a key figure in winning the 1988 Supercopa Sudamericana. His record at Racing: 337 matches and 9 goals. He also played for FC Locarno in Switzerland and ended his career at Gimnasia de Jujuy.

Marcelo Gallardo debuted for River Plate in 1993. As an elegant and cerebral playmaker, he played 494 matches and scored 102 goals for clubs (River, Monaco, PSG, D.C. United, and Nacional). With the Argentine national team, he added 44 matches and 14 goals, winning both domestic and international titles, including the 1996 Copa Libertadores.

The Tactics Board: Coaches’ Numbers

Costas as Coach: He began his managerial career in 1999 at Racing. He went on to coach Alianza Lima, Cerro Porteño, Olimpia, Barcelona SC (Ecuador), Independiente Santa Fe, Atlas, and several national teams before returning to Avellaneda. He has managed over 740 matches, winning titles in multiple countries, and recently with Racing, the 2024 Copa Sudamericana and the 2025 Recopa Sudamericana.

Gallardo as Coach: He debuted in 2011 at Nacional de Uruguay. At River Plate (2014–2022), he managed 425 matches: 228 wins, 111 draws, and 86 losses, with a 61% success rate. He became the club’s most successful coach in history, winning 14 titles, including 2 Copa Libertadores (2015 and 2018), 3 Recopa Sudamericana trophies, and multiple domestic leagues.

Comparative Honors

Costas: Titles in Peru, Paraguay, Ecuador, Colombia, and Argentina. International experience and a reputation as a developer of talent, always linked to his Racing.

Gallardo: An absolute River icon, he transformed the club’s style of play and raised the bar of Argentine football with memorable international achievements.

More Than Numbers: The Weight of Belonging

Both embody something that transcends statistics: belonging. Costas, as a Racing symbol, returned to guide his club on the continental stage. Gallardo, as a River standard-bearer, came back to attempt to repeat glory.

Conclusion: Two Paths, One Goal

Today, Racing and River face each other not only for a spot in the semifinal but for something deeper: the clash of two playing styles, two ways of understanding football, and two stories of love for the jersey.
In the balance of passion, it’s not just about goals or titles: it’s about identity. Costas and Gallardo know this better than anyone.