It is four in the afternoon on Friday, November 22, 2024. There are 25 hours left until the Uruguayan referee Esteban Ostojich kick off the final of the Copa Sudamericana between Racing and Cruzeiro. A long-distance bus from the Godoy company leaves from the Retiro terminal towards Asunción, Paraguay. With more than 1,300 kilometers and 20 hours of travel aheadsixty fans of the Academy They begin the journey with a single goal in mind. Arriving at La Nueva Olla to accompany (from inside or outside, it doesn’t matter) the team of Gustavo Costas and see him break a 36-year drought without international titles. The caravan of faith is underway.
For Racing, this cup is a pending issue. His last international consecration dates back to 1988, when the team won the Super Cup. Curiously, in that final, the rival was Cruzeiro, the same team that this time crossed paths again – just as happened in 1992, in another Super Cup, without a happy ending. At that time, Gustavo Costas was one of the team’s leaders; today he directs from the bankas if destiny wanted to give him a new opportunity to make history.
On the bus, each fan carries with them a story, a piece of that shared dream. Mario Maldonado, who travels from Florencio Varela with his son, his godson and his nephew, explains it with a mixture of pride and resignation: “They are going to fire us all from our jobs because we left without permission. But that’s how we are. We have no entrance or anywhere to sleep, but we go anyway. “We are Racing”.
Joaquín, who embarked with Matías from Ciudadela, says it with determination: “We hope to bring the drink home. We take the ticket only one way, we have no return. We leave work and family, Racing is a priority”.
Juan Manuel, resident of Villa 31 in Retiro, is not far behind: “I left my house, my dog, everything. I ran away from work, I don’t have a ticket and I’m just going to Asunción. On the way back I see how I get the ticket. I don’t have accommodation either, I sleep on the street, I have no problem. If Racing wins, I will tattoo my entire back with the Avellaneda Cylinder and Gustavo Costas.”.
Leonardo, who is traveling with his son from Villa Urquiza, says excitedly: “I am from the Costas era. Experiencing this with my son is something beautiful. I wait for a goal hug, that moment that makes everything perfect. “I want Asunción to be a party”.
Carlos took the microphone with his two daughters, determined to record this moment in his family memory: “This is so that they never forget. If we win and bring the cup, the better; If not, all good. Traveling with them is the greatest thing. This Racing fills me with hope”.
La Nueva Olla will be the stage for the final between Racing and Cruzeiro. REUTERS/Cesar OlmedoThe enthusiasm was soon interrupted. Around 5:45 p.m., less than two hours into the trip, National Gendarmerie stopped the bus in Panamericanaat the height of Henry Ford, to carry out controls. They searched the backpacks and seized the alcohol that the fans were carrying, mostly bottles of fernet. While the police were checking, a group of fans brought out their flag and took a photo, transforming the moment into a small impromptu celebration.
Once the trip resumed, around 7 p.m., the passengers began to take out their supplies. The aroma of Milanese and ham and cheese sandwiches began to fill the microwhile the noise of sodas being uncovered accompanied the atmosphere. It was the beginning of a dinner that did not need tablecloths or elegant cutlery. Just the company of those who shared the same dream.
While Godoy’s bus resumes its march, the hours continue their course, taking the fans closer to Asunción and the dream of the Copa Sudamericana. This Saturday, Racing will have the opportunity to write a new page in its history. For fans, this trip is not just a physical transfer, but the reflection of an unwavering commitment to their team. This story, of course, will continue.