Unión and memories of the 96 promotion as Liga Profesional last-16 beckons | OneFootball

The story takes us to May 18, 1996 (it will be 30 years ago in just a few days), Sebastián Clotet’s goal in the final minute was the starting point for what became Unión’s memorable promotion to the First Division in the 1995/1996 season. That day, El Tate visited Godoy Cruz on the final matchday of the tournament, needing to win so as not to depend on anyone else and to qualify for the Octagonal.

A draw was not enough, and near the end of the match, Darío Cabrol took a corner from the left, Clotet headed it, the ball bounced off a Tomba player, and it fell to the red-and-white midfielder, who struck it right-footed from inside the box and sent the ball in by the right post to make it 2-1.

That goal was the direct ticket to qualify in the last Octagonal spot. They sneaked in, but the best was still to come, because that team, built mostly with youth players and a few experienced footballers, ended up shining in the Octagonal, playing spectacular football with remarkable efficiency.

They faced Godoy Cruz again and thrashed them 3-0 at 15 de Abril, then beat them 3-1 in Mendoza. Then came a 3-1 home win over Talleres, and in the return leg in Córdoba they repeated the score. In the final, they beat Instituto 3-1 at home, and although they lost 1-0 in the second leg, they were still promoted to the First Division.

That is why Sebastián Clotet’s goal is so fondly remembered by Unión fans, because even though they still had to play the Octagonal afterward, that win was the click the team needed to feel they could dream of playing in the First Division. And also because it came at the very last moment, turning it into legend.

In the present day, El Tate did not win on the final matchday of the regular phase, but they also scored in the very last play of the match (Tarragona in the 1-1 draw against Talleres), and Defensa’s defeat at the hands of Gimnasia de Mendoza gives them the chance to sneak into the top eight, as long as Instituto does not beat Instituto by 7 goals.

This Unión side is also characterized by having a majority of players developed in the youth academy and players who are fans of the club.

Two more coincidences: this year they would also face a team from Mendoza, and on top of that, El Tate’s home shirt recalls that historic campaign by Trullet’s team.

We do not know how the story will end, but at López y Planes, they choose to believe.

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