Martínez Quarta and Zelarayán Face Off Before Apertura Final

The captains of River Plate and Belgrano, Lucas Martínez Quarta and Lucas Zelarayán, have offered their perspectives in Córdoba ahead of the decisive Torneo Apertura final. Both players, affectionately known as “Los Chinos” (The Chinese), conveyed their excitement and the profound sense of belonging they harbor for their clubs. The highly anticipated match is scheduled to kick off at the Mario Kempes stadium on Sunday, with a full house of 50,000 fans expected, evenly split between the two sets of supporters.

Pre-Final Conference Highlights

The pre-match press conference, orchestrated by the Liga Profesional, convened in a crowded room at Córdoba’s Quorum hotel. The event commenced with a video montage illustrating each team’s journey through the playoffs, followed by the grand unveiling of the Apertura trophy. Both captains acknowledged the immense significance of reaching this stage and the considerable effort invested by their respective squads. The atmosphere was further enhanced by national rock music playing in the background, along with the official musical curtain that accompanies every league broadcast.

Martínez Quarta on River’s Unexpected Ascent

River Plate’s defensive stalwart, Lucas Martínez Quarta, reflected on his team’s remarkable and somewhat unforeseen path to the final. “We are happy to be here. It means we did things very well. It finds us in a good moment and, whatever happens, we have to feel proud of what we’ve achieved so far. We became a fighting group. It’s not a message of conformity, but we are happy to be here and hope to bring joy to our fans,” he stated, as reported by Clarin Deportes. He further emphasized the team’s resilience, particularly after navigating the departure of a historically successful coach.

“Three months ago, none of us imagined this. Especially you [journalists],” he added with a chuckle, looking at the assembled press. “That’s why I say that, whatever happens tomorrow, we have to feel proud. It wasn’t easy. The most successful coach in the club’s history left, and it hit us hard. But as a group, we knew how to move forward. We are proud of what we’ve done and tomorrow we will try to bring joy to our fans and also to ourselves, because we suffered a lot, and our families too.” Martínez Quarta, 30, made his return to River a year and a half prior, following a spell at Fiorentina and having secured two Copa América titles with the national team. Despite experiencing periods of fluctuating form, he has been a pivotal leader in the Millonario’s defense as they strive to reclaim a championship after two years without a major trophy and three without a league title.

Zelarayán on Belgrano’s Title Ambitions

Belgrano’s influential attacking midfielder, Lucas Zelarayán, also offered his insights into the upcoming clash. “It finds us in a very good moment. We had a series of matches in a few days, with many things to analyze, but the morale is very strong due to how the last match against Argentinos Juniors ended. We started at a disadvantage, we tied it, and then we won on penalties. We made a great effort this semester, and that’s why we are here, enjoying this moment,” said Zelarayán, who has dyed his hair celeste (sky blue) in fulfillment of a promise made after their derby victory against Talleres.

He acknowledged River’s inherent quality, stating, “The quality of players Belgrano has is evident to everyone. They have very good individuals and have grown a lot as a team. It won’t be the same Belgrano we faced a month ago, and we will have our precautions. They come with important morale, but we do too, and with the desire to crown something we’ve sought for a long time and that cost us a great effort.” Zelarayán, also 30, is considered the standout player for the Córdoba-based team, enjoying immense popularity among the fans. He admitted that “being a fan is difficult to manage,” but underscored his singular focus on “being champion and bringing joy to the people.” He further highlighted the team’s unity as a core strength: “The unity of the group is also our strength. During the championship, we went through bad moments, and that’s when we were most united. Furthermore, we have a great sense of belonging: many players came from the youth academy, and the coaching staff is very identified with the club.”

Venue and Fan Support

Both captains addressed the decision to host the final at the Mario Kempes stadium. Martínez Quarta fondly recalled past triumphs at the venue, as his first title with River, the 2016 Copa Argentina, was secured on the very same pitch. “The venue was already defined, and there’s not much we can do about it. But it brings back good memories because my first title with this shirt was on this pitch, against Central in the 2016 Copa Argentina. Also, there are many River fans, and with those who traveled, we will feel well accompanied,” he noted. Zelarayán, however, downplayed any significant home advantage for Belgrano. “Playing in Córdoba is not a pressure for us. It’s a stadium where we’ve played many times as visitors. We even played there two weeks ago. I don’t feel like we are locals, but I do feel that we will be very well accompanied by our people. There will be 25,000 Piratas, and that is a huge motivation.”

Key Match Information

• Match: Torneo Apertura Final
• Teams: River Plate vs. Belgrano
• Captains: Lucas Martínez Quarta (River), Lucas Zelarayán (Belgrano)
• Venue: Estadio Mario Kempes, Córdoba
• Kick-off: Sunday, 3:30 PM (local time)

The pre-match festivities also featured interactions with comedian José María Listorti, who is slated to participate in the pre-final show, and a round of applause for Fabio Santana, a Falklands War veteran who will perform the national anthem. The captains also posed for photographs with the match referee, Yael Falcón Pérez, who conveyed his “great joy and responsibility” regarding his appointment.

The outcome of this final carries immense significance for both clubs. River Plate aims to conclude a period without major trophies and further embellish its storied history, while Belgrano stands on the cusp of potentially claiming its inaugural top-division title, an achievement that would undoubtedly be forever etched in the club’s folklore. The passion and rivalry inherent in this fixture promise a captivating conclusion to the Torneo Apertura.

Source: Clarin Deportes – https://www.clarin.com/deportes/martinez-quarta-zelarayan-mano-mano-gran-final-apertura-chinos-palpitaron-river-vs-belgrano_0_t8SAZ9xvjQ.html