Gustavo Costas after the exit: "We didn't make it, I let my people down" | OneFootball

Racing drew 0-0 with Flamengo and was eliminated from the 2025 Copa Libertadores in the semifinals, a hard blow that Gustavo Costas addressed in the post-match press conference, taking responsibility and showering his players and the fans with praise for everything they did throughout the tournament.

“I don’t really feel like talking after the match. The boys gave it their all, as I’ve always said: I’d go to war with them, and honestly, I just want to thank them for what they did and what they gave. I also want to thank the fans for the tremendous support they gave us. To the boys and the people who came, we were so close, just one step away, but…” he said, fighting back tears.

Regarding how to overcome the disappointment, the coach tried to focus on the immediate future in order to move past this bitter moment as soon as possible. “We have to go home and get through this, it hurts a lot because we were so hopeful, just like all the fans were. The support from the fans was extraordinary, the boys were in great shape, it seemed like we were going to make it but we couldn’t. But what can you do? You have to get out of here and tomorrow start a new chapter.”, he explained.

The coach of La Academia also chose to speak from his own passion for the club and showered his players with praise, as they came close to taking the club back to the final for the first time since 1967: “I thank my players for having represented us, and I say this as a fan. Most of them haven’t played many cups—or haven’t played them like most have—and we managed to win two international cups. I’ll be grateful to them for life, because they always gave everything. They played through injuries, Maravilla with an almost fractured knee, with fever, they were boys who left everything on the field.”

“Maybe we played well or badly, but I think they represented the fans in the best way against a great team, and you regret that last-minute goal. In the second leg we thought we could do it, especially after Plata was sent off, we thought we had it right there but this is football and we just couldn’t score. Sorry, I didn’t want to talk, but otherwise I’d have to pay a fine, but I want to thank my players and the fans because it was a beautiful week since we came back (from Brazil), it’s been many years since Racing was as united as it was, and we have to keep it that way.”, the coach concluded before refusing to answer one last question and leaving the press room to applause.

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