Gimnasia gave River a lift after winning the Argentine Super Cup against Estudiantes

The champion finally had a room. River was crowned champion of the Argentine Super Cup on Wednesday against Estudiantes and on Sunday against Gym at the Monumentale he celebrated in front of his people, in another memorable setting. La Plata’s Lobo took the field first and waited for the local players to come out, forming a corridor that is not yet a tradition in Argentine football but is becoming a healthy custom. Franco Armani, goalkeeper and team captain Martin Demichelishe led the exit of the millionaire team, with his son in his arms.

After the departure of the River players, the eleven visiting starters posed for the occasion and then also the champions, who presented the trophy delivered on Wednesday after the consecration in Córdoba. It is the third time River has won the Argentine Super Cup since it was held in 2012 and, furthermore, it was the 72nd title in its history.

While the champions were photographing themselves, in the stands of Sívori they displayed a flag with the words “Thank you for this joy”, a white, red and white cloth, with the black letters of the phrase on the red part. Furthermore, he filled the sides of the field with red and white smoke.

Although it is not customary, throughout history there have been gestures of recognition towards the rival. Perhaps the first time was when Boca returned from a successful European tour in 1925. The Xeneizes players were received at the port of Buenos Aires as heroes and among those present was a delegation of River leaders. Thirty years later, in 1955, River, the newest local champion, debuted his title at the Bombonera. Angel Labruna has promised that there will be no Olympic return. And the Boca players then received the champion by walking down a corridor and applauding nobly.

In the 60s there were cheers and aisles. Independiente, two-time American champions in 1965, were applauded at the Monumental when they visited recently promoted Platense, who also received applause. Two years later, in December 1967, four athletes brought as monarchs two boys who, each on their own chair-throne, carries a cup: the Libertadores and the European-South American. Each player received a bouquet of flowers. At Independiente, which was crowned national champion that afternoon, they celebrated Racing, recent world champion. A similar celebration awaited Rojo in 1973, at the Cilindro, after defeating Juventus in Rome (1-0). In Liniers, in 1968, 400 local athletes (in a V shape) received the Estudiantes, champions of Old Trafford. There was also a corridor in the Monumental for Luis Zubeldía’s team.

In the 1990s there was a little-remembered gesture. In the Nuevo Gasómetro, in 1994, Fernando Miele, owner of San Lorenzo, donated a plaque to Héctor Gaudio, of Vélez, champion in Tokyo. Banfield also received the Fortín with a corridor.

In 2014, Racing gave a gift to San Lorenzo de América. In 2015, Estudiantes received River, champion of the Libertadores, with a hall, plaque and medals.

And on 7 April 2019 there was double recognition in Avellaneda, for the last match, between Racing and Defensa y Justicia, one champion and the other runner-up of the 2018/19 Super League. Few cases in history, but always worth remembering.