Belgrano stars reunite for final against River Plate, echoing historic promotion playoff

River Plate and Belgrano are set to clash in a final, a scenario that immediately recalls their historic 2011 promotion-relegation playoff. In that fateful series, Belgrano secured promotion to the top flight, inflicting River Plate's first-ever relegation from the Primera División.

Three prominent figures from Belgrano's 2011 squad are central to this reunion. Coach Ricardo Zielinski, who masterminded the promotion, returns to lead the team. Juan Carlos Olave, the goalkeeper who famously saved a penalty from Mariano Pavone in the decisive match, is now part of Zielinski's coaching staff. Franco Vázquez, a dynamic young player in 2011, is the sole player from that iconic team to still be part of the current Belgrano squad.

On June 26, 2011, Belgrano lined up with Olave; Gastón Turus (captain), Claudio Pérez, Luciano Lollo, and Cristian Tavio; César Mansanelli, Guillermo Farré, Ribair Rodríguez, and Juan Maldonado; Franco Vázquez and César Pereyra. Their 1-1 draw at River's Monumental stadium, following a 2-0 win in Córdoba, sealed the aggregate victory and etched the match into Argentine football folklore.

Olave, now 50, reflected on the differing stakes: "At that moment, we were seeking promotion, and River was fighting to stay up. Today is a different reality. We are aiming for Belgrano to be crowned champions." Vázquez, 37, has returned to Belgrano after a European career and will have another chance to face River in a decisive match. Zielinski's history against River is balanced, with four wins, four losses, and two draws across his coaching tenures.