Football has a strange way of reminding you who’s really in charge. You prepare, you plan, you think you’ve accounted for every detail and then fate, form and fatigue decide to rewrite the script. These past weeks have been exactly that: the highest highs, the lowest lows and everything in between.

Vasco de Gama (H)

We welcomed the Brazilian giants knowing what they did to us in the first match. But this time, we were ready.

On 23 minutes, Chiquichano was fouled on the edge of the box. Gil, ever reliable, struck the free kick beautifully: 1–0.
We reached half-time still holding on, the game an open battle rather than their earlier domination.

At 57 minutes, Alanís delivered a perfect cross and Cabral made it 2–0.
Chiquichano came off for Sequeira shortly after and Miljevic made way for Waller.

But Vasco don’t fade. On 70, Coutinho danced inside and curled one into the far corner. 2–1.
Fresh legs were needed. Guidara for De La Fuente. Lescano for Ibáñez. Urzi for Alanís.

And then, the gut punch: Franca slipped in Rayan, who hammered home the equaliser. 2–2.
We held on and earned another valuable point. We remained top with Vasco, 8 points each two games to go. Palestino close behind on 6.

And in the small victories department:
Lucas Carrizo resumed full training. He will get minutes once his legs come back.

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Torneo Apertura Playoffs: Atlético Tucumán (Round of 16)

CHIQICHANO SIGNS A NEW 3-YEAR DEAL.
The best news of the week. A reward for his breakout season and the reassurance the club needed.

Cabral’s knock ruled him out, so Waller started with Miljevic moved wide.

The first half? A street fight. End to end, both sides trying to land the first blow. Eight shots for us, five for them, but no goals. Too many tired faces; that midweek intensity hadn’t left their legs.

At 60 minutes, I made the first wave of changes:

• Ibáñez off → Lescano
• De La Fuente off → Guidara
• Gil off → Urzi

At 70:

• Miljevic off → Ojeda
  Moments later, heartbreak:
  Chiquichano down injured. Sequeira forced on.

Then… minute 86.
A long ball. A sprint. A square pass. A tap-in.
0–1. Huracán OUT of the playoffs.

Disappointment. Yes. But genuine perspective too. This is only half a season into a long-term project. And truthfully, My players need rest. Their bodies are screaming for it.

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WANCHOPE REQUESTS TO LEAVE

Ramon knocked on my door, eyes steady.

“Boss, I’m not your first choice. Time isn’t on my side. I want to leave.”

I sat in silence. I want commitment. Hunger. Fire.
If his heart was elsewhere, so be it.

“Fine, Ramón. I accept your request.”

Football moves fast.

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Copa Sudamericana: El Nacional (A)

Win and we qualify. I rotated. I trusted the squad.

Carrizo started. Nervo beside him.

We conceded after two minutes. Then again after thirty.
At half-time, I was disgusted. Four changes made. No hesitation.

On 58 minutes, they made it three.
But we fought back:

• 61’: Gil volleys home from Alanís’ cross → 3–1
• 72’: SILVA scores his first for the club → 3–2

But we couldn’t find the equaliser.
Two defeats in one week. Ugly. Necessary to learn from.

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The Decider: Palestino (H)

A draw would be enough. Lose, and everything collapses.

Carrizo and Paz at centre-back.
Tissera 21, loan player, unused all season got my trust. He started on the right wing.

What happened next… even I didn’t expect.

• 15’: Guidara → Tissera → he turns and curls it in. 1–0
• 18’: Tissera wins the ball → Gil → Guidara overlaps → finishes. 2–0
• 28’: Palestino pull one back. 2–1
• 30’: Tissera picks up the ball at halfway, glides past bodies, fires across the keeper. 3–1.

Half-time whistle. One half away from the knockouts.

Second half: our best 10 minutes of the season.

• 49’: Ibáñez cross → TISSERA HAT-TRICK. 4–1.
  I shouted inside my head: Where was this boy hiding?!
• 50’: Guidara drives inside and smashes home. 5–1.

Substitutions flooded in — Silva, Lescano, Pereyra, Waller, Urzi.

At 70’, Palestino grabbed another. 5–2.
At 78’, Silva and Lescano combined beautifully → Alanís curled home.
6–2.
We were through. A stunning response after a dark week.

Tissera and Guidara repaid my faith in full:

• Tissera: 3 goals
• Guidara: 2 goals + 1 assist

We finish second in the group. Knockouts confirmed.

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Looking Forward

45 days until our next match. Time to heal.
Europe’s transfer window has opened, we’ll see who they look at.
The chairman called me in to say he’s delighted with the job I’m doing.

It made me breathe, reflect and reset.

We topped our opening stage, fell short in playoffs, qualified in South America, promoted youth, discovered new heroes and survived setbacks.

The embargo will hurt us. But everything worth building has a price.

We draw Sporting Cristal in the next round.

For now, I send the players on holiday. They need it.
And as for me?

This feels like the beginning of something.
Not the end.

Just the beginning.