2024-05-06 12:25:30
The undisputed hero of the Santiago day was Matías Mansilla, right in his homeland. The one born in Los Juríeswho until recently was a saver for Central Córdoba and came to Estudiantes to replace a DJ idol like Mariano Andújar, emerged as the figure in the penalty shootout of the League Cup. “I am very happy, many things come to mind; the first thing is my family, I am from here in Santiago and I would not have dreamed of it. Living this is beautiful”he declared.
It is not the first time that Mansilla shines in these instances, since he was also decisive against Boca with saves to Edinson Cavani and Nicolás Figal.
“Although we had studied, there were boys (from Vélez) who did not have penalties. The truth is that there were many boys and it is difficult to analyze. What I did look at was the bench at all times because, beyond the machete, they indicated to me and at the moment, someone might change,” the goalkeeper explained about the so famous machete.
“At the moment you have the analysis that you do with your classmates and the teacher. But there are players who change. Personally, I try to see how the player is doing, if he is anxious or in a hurry, and I decide accordingly,” he continued..
Mansilla could not save the first two penalties – Mammana and Sarco – but he recovered spectacularly to take the third (García), the fourth (Cáseres) and the sixth (Montoro). Regarding the latter, he explained: “De Montoro had no penalties. I saw him in the race as very calm, because of how he carried the ball. I saw him as not having enough footing to cross hard and I decided to go wide and thank God he kicked there”.
Mansilla, 28, reached his 20th game with Estudiantes, where he conceded 15 goals. The former Midland, Morón and Patronato also took the opportunity to throw a stick across the street. “Before coming to Estudiantes I was very close to going to Vélez. They told me that the coach’s OK was missing. But well, it didn’t happen”he slipped with irony.