Estudiantes secrets: strengths, weaknesses, no fear of Flamengo | OneFootball

Gonzalo Plotycia, journalist from La Plata, spoke exclusively with Coluna do Fla

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Estudiantes (ARG)? How does coach Eduardo Domínguez's team like to play? What do they know about Flamengo in La Plata? These and other questions were answered by journalist Gonzalo Plotycia, from the land of Mengão's opponent in the Copa Libertadores over the next two Thursdays (18 and 25). The reporter from 'La Red' Radio provided a true 'X-ray' of the team that is in the quarterfinals of the continental tournament.

Despite the economic difference between the two teams, Estudiantes does not fear Flamengo, at least that's the view of Gonzalo Plotycia. Furthermore, the journalist emphasizes that the club from La Plata is a four-time champion of the Libertadores and deserves respect. When asked if a draw or a narrow defeat in Rio de Janeiro would already be a 'Maracanazo', the reporter denied it.

— Due to Estudiantes' history, winning at Maracanã would not be a Maracanazo, because Estudiantes has a lot of trajectory and renown in South American football. A Maracanazo, in any case, would be a historic thrashing, given the power of the team in front. I believe that Estudiantes' history would not be cataloged as a Maracanazo, neither in La Plata, nor for the Argentine press. I understand that Estudiantes will also seek to play a long game, a 180-minute series, taking advantage of closing at home —, highlighted the journalist.

WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES OF ESTUDIANTES?

In the Libertadores, Estudiantes finished first in Group A, the same as Botafogo, with 12 points. In the campaign, there were four wins and two losses. In the round of 16, the Argentinians eliminated Cerro Porteño (PAR), with a 1-0 win in Paraguay and a goalless draw in La Plata. Throughout the competition, they scored 12 goals and conceded five. According to Plotycia, the secret to the team's good campaign is the long-term work of coach Eduardo Domínguez.

— Estudiantes is a team that has been working with the same idea for some time with Eduardo Domínguez, who has been the coach since March 2023. In this process, with ups and downs in the game, it reached its peak with three titles: Copa Argentina 2023, which was also the end of a cycle for some historic players, Copa de la Liga 2024, and lastly, the Supercopa 2024 against Vélez —, he pointed out.

— These seem to me to be the main strengths. The consolidated time of work with the same coach and the same idea, in addition to the change of players. Above all, I would add that, for the Copa Libertadores, there is an extra. Estudiantes is a team with a lot of tradition in cups, especially in the Copa Libertadores, one of the biggest winners. And it faces this type of match with a different temperament, historically, and I believe that often it is an extra for this type of competition —, added the journalist.

AND THE WEAKNESSES?

— Irregularity. It struggles to sustain, for example, what it does in the Copa Libertadores in the Argentine Championship. In fact, it has played against it in previous tournaments, where despite having one of the best squads in Argentine football, it couldn't maintain continuity in the championship. It ended up qualifying for the playoffs but was eliminated early. It is also one of the objectives of the squad, the technical staff, and although today it is in qualifying positions, it comes from losing a game that on paper was not planned to lose, to Central Córdoba, one of the most modest teams in Argentina. It can't achieve that regularity in the championship, it shows, I would say, two faces (editor's note: the interview was conducted on Friday, 12, before Estudiantes' defeat to River, on Saturday, 13) —, emphasized Plotycia.

WHAT DO THEY KNOW ABOUT FLAMENGO IN LA PLATA?

In La Plata, the most well-known names in the Flamengo squad, of course, are those with a history in Argentine football. Highlighted is goalkeeper Agustín Rossi, who played for the club early in his career, in 2015 and 2016. Additionally, Plotycia highlighted some Mengão players who played in Europe.

— There is a lot of respect for Flamengo, it is known that today Argentine football cannot compete economically. There is a big difference with Brazilian teams, but Estudiantes, because of how it approaches these games, obviously respects its opponents but understands that it can stand up to them. I'm talking a lot about the economic or power difference between one league and another, also regarding what happened in the Club World Cup, so there is a lot of respect for the Flamengo squad —, he commented.

— The most well-known are those who played in Argentine football, Rossi, defended Estudiantes, in fact, a very young Rossi. De La Cruz at River, well, obviously, Jorge Carrascal (ex-River); Giorgian Arrascaeta, obviously a player who is highly respected for his performance with the Uruguayan national team. Saúl, for his time in Europe. There are a lot of players... Gonzalo Plata, Ecuadorian. There is a lot of respect for this Flamengo squad —, the Argentine journalist concluded.

WHAT ELSE DOES ESTUDIANTES HAVE?

Flamengo and Estudiantes will begin to decide a spot in the quarterfinals of the Copa Libertadores da América this Thursday (18), at Maracanã. The match kicks off at 21:30 (Brasília time), with full coverage from Coluna do Fla. Check below for more answers from Gonzalo Plotycia to our report.

HOW DOES ESTUDIANTES PLAY?

“It is a team that strengthens with ball possession, basically playing around possession, it is not a team that speculates, it is not in coach Domínguez's DNA. Usually, the formation is a 4-3-3, some of these wingers can move back and form a 4-3-1-2. Usually, they play with a line of four, they have played with lines of five, but mainly they do it with a line of four in defense. They have midfielders with good feet, who detach and move forward, invade the area, with finishing; wingers who are fast and sharp on the sides and generally play with a reference center forward, although they like them to get involved in the game. Know that this is the central characteristic of Domínguez's teams”.

WHAT'S THE ATMOSPHERE IN LA PLATA FOR THE GAME?

WHO ARE THE TEAM'S HIGHLIGHTS?

DIDN'T DO SO WELL IN THE ROUND OF 16 AGAINST CERRO PORTEÑO?

“Estudiantes played a 180-minute series, did an intelligent job, they were not bothered, they were not suffocated in Paraguay, found the victory at the end with the usual expertise of Carrillo, who is also one of its figures. And with a young player, a youth, who is emerging, breaking through in a great way, which is Míkel Amondarain. He provided the assist. Estudiantes didn't have major scares also in the return match, in the decision in La Plata. The opponent was a weak team, I would say in general terms of Cerro Porteño. Estudiantes was a broad deserving team, it seems to me, to advance”.

CAN MONEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

“There are many economic differences between what prize money is distributed in the organization of Argentine football compared to Brazilian, there is a fight, a dispute there, especially many clubs that criticize the president of AFA (Argentine Federation), Chiqui Tapia, Claudio Tapia. A bit in this dispute is Verón (president of Estudiantes), proposing other sports models. In Argentina, I wouldn't say that a corporation is a bad word, which might be more embedded in Brazil, the SAD, the Sports Corporation, but there is a lot of fear about it, it generates friction among the fans. Estudiantes has been talking about a mixed model, not privatizing the club, but implementing a mixed model to try to make an economic qualitative leap, well, Estudiantes is a bit in that dispute. Sometimes it marks these issues”.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.