After spending over nine months in Argentina, Albert Hilton has become accustomed to the football scene in Buenos Aires very well.
From visiting iconic stadiums including La Bombonera and El Monumental, to finding a second home at Tigre’s Estadio José Dellagiovanna, one item that needed ticking off the bucket list was a full match day experience at a second division club.
So when the chance arose to join along for a Club Atlético Estudiantes game; it was an offer that simply couldn’t be refused.
An anglo-argentine affair
Upon entering the city of Caseros, it’s impossible not to feel the club's presence. With telephone poles painted in the club's famous white and black colours, you’ll soon realise you’re in Pincha territory.
To understand the real historical importance of Estudiantes, you have to travel back more than 125 years to when the beautiful game was still in its primitive years in Argentina.
In the late 1800’s, football was brought over to Argentina by Englishmen who worked on the railway lines up and down the country, with the sport being predominantly played exclusively by the English middle and upper classes.
However, Estudiantes’ English founding fathers were forerunners in changing that narrative. The club was one of the earliest to open its doors to Argentinian fanatics of the game as they helped to break down the wall that kept the native population from playing the sport.
The founding members of the club were students at Colegio Mariano Moreno and Colegio Nacional de Buenos Aires, two schools located within the city of Buenos Aires, with the laterly mentioned being one of the most prestigious secondary schools in Argentina, even to this day.
Learning and playing together- the first Argentinian team bearing the name ‘Estudiantes’ was born.
Switching back to the modern day, the club's influence can be seen all over Argentinian football with more than 40 other clubs in the country sporting another form of the ‘Estudiantes' name.
However, the originators are the club from Caseros.
What El Pincha means to its people
Without a doubt, the most important part of a football club is the fanbase, especially in Argentina, where the socios (members) of the clubs have an important voice in how they would like their club to be run.
Speaking to fan and socio of Estudiantes, Juan Carlos Granero, he told The Copa Club about the passion he has for El Pincha: “Mine is like a pastor who preaches his love for the club whenever I can.”
“I always heard people talk about the Pincha de Caseros when I was a kid, until one day, when I was about 12 years old I went for the first time with a group of older friends [to watch Estudiantes]...that day began a love at first sight with the team, the club, and most importantly, the people.”
He added: “I transmit my love and passion for one of the clubs with the richest history in Argentine football.”
Mr Granero didn’t just keep his love of Estudiantes for himself. He shares the stands with his nephews, father and close friends, always welcoming new people into the ever growing Estudiantes family.
Gameday in Caseros
A crucial part of matchday globally is a pre match meal, for supporters and players alike, that is.
In terms of pre match experiences, Argentina can vary from street parties full of beer and Fernet, to coffee and cake in a cafe - depending on which you prefer.
A good middle ground for a pre match snack is getting down to a Parrilla and experiencing the best barbeque you will potentially taste in your life. In Caseros, ‘Esquinazo Parrilla’, the preferred choice.
After filling up on a choripan and fries, the pilgrimage to Estadio Ciudad de Caseros begins, unlike a lot of the first division teams, the walk to the stadium is a lot more laid back and security checks are rather light.
When stepping onto the terraces of Estadio ciudad de Caseros it's impossible to not smile. The true sense of a football family has been woven into every part of the stadium, from children playing football in the stands to generations of families passing around a Yerba Mate whilst discussing the ins and outs of the game.
Although the quality of the football may not be that of the Argentine first division, the pure love of football is just as strong.
For the people of Caseros and all fans of El Pincha, the Estadio Ciudad de Caseros is a 90 minute retreat from all the stresses of everyday life, a place where the whole community can come together and support their local team.
That’s what football is all about.
Pushing for promotion
Estudiantes have recently qualified for the play-offs to get promoted to the top division of Argentinian football with one game to spare.
If they are to win all four matches in the playoffs and get promoted to the Primera Division, it would be the first time that El Pincha has played in the top flight since 1978 - to say it’s been a long time coming would be an understatement.
A player that Estudiantes may look to for inspiration in the promotion pursuit is Jonathan Berón, the 22-year old winger who came in on loan from top division side, Veléz Sarsfield, at the start of the year.
He’s a player opposition fullbacks must hate to face, with constant pressure off the ball and direct dribbling when in possession. Defenders know they’ve got a battle on their hands when they see his name on the team sheet.
A former Argentina international, and winger just like Berón, who’s sure to be supporting El Pincha through their playoff campaign is Ezequiel Lavezzi, the most successful graduate from Estudiantes.
Arriving as a construction worker in 2003 after being released from the Boca Juniors academy, Estudiantes saved Lavezzi’s career in football after he nearly gave up on making it professional.
He went on to return the favour, scoring 12 goals in 21 games for Estudiantes in 2004, then leaving for Genoa in Italy after finishing just three points off a playoff place- being forever held in the highest regard by the Estudiantes fans.
And as the team takes on the challenge to write their names into the Estudiantes history books, they’ll know they have the full support of every person associated with Club Atlético Estudiantes.
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